Crack in Keel

T

tubbsy

New Member
Joined
15 Aug 2006
Messages
11
Visit site
Hi, I'm not sure I want to know the answer to this as it could be costly! Just lifted my boat out and found a six inch crack in the gel coat right at the top front of the keel which seems to go round the front and to both sides. The crack is only small and there is no other visible signs of a problem with the keel (rusty stains, water ingress or any sign of movement elsewhere on the keel). She hasn't been grounded but did spend some time on a drying muddy mooring for a few months earlier in the year. Should I be concerned and what should I do next?
 
is the crack on the seam where the keel meets the hull or are you refering to the area above. have you checked the keel bolts for signs of corrosion
 
It's not possible to see where the seem is, but the crack is at the top of the keel very near to the hull so it sounds possible that this is the seem. The keel bolts are not visible and have been glassed over on the inside and there is no sign of any bolt on the outside, but there does not seem to be any sign of rust coming from the crack.
 
Do you have an encapsulated keel or is it iron and bolted on? from what you are saying it is encapsulated.

What boat is it?
 
Its a bit of a hard one this without seeing the boat, your best bet would be to get your nearest boat yard to have a look and then get a second opinion. there is a good chance its not as bad as you think, but you need to talk to at least two people.
 
I would have expected it to be horizontal and straight if ti is the seem, which if it is would be quite normal and of little concern. Would need to see pics to confirm.
 
Like pulling teeth.

At last, we now know what sort of boat, and what sort of keel (ie bolted on).

A crack at the front is fairly common on many fin keel boats, usually as a result of grounding underway, but in your case is probably due to a bit of pounding whilst drying (or maybe it just isn't strong enough for drying full stop).

When grounding underway the keel is levered back, sometimes depressing the hull behind the keel whilst causing a crack to appear at the front.

When drying out many boats (don't know about yours) have fairly substantial weight behind the keel that can cause the weight to be concentrated on the back of the keel with a similar outcome. Mine f'rinstance has 90 lit. of fuel right at the back (say 100kg incl' tank), 200 lit. of water (about 230kg incl.) 140 kg of engine and gearbox plus rudder and stock, stern gear etc. In all over 1/2 tonne of baggage concentrated at the back, normally supported by the broad aft sections when afloat.

Sounds like the otherwise well faired keel/hull join has opened slightly. May just be a crack in the anti-fouling where the sikaflex has parted slightly.

If it looks worse than that or if it weeps badly, have the internal reinforcements examined by someone who knows.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top