GRP Sheathed vs Encapsulated Keel

Bilge Rat

Bilge Rat

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We've been looking at a secondhand boat with a lead keel. It appears to be an encapsulated keel however a knowledgeable friend has implied that it could also be a bolt on keel but GRP sheathed. To be honest I have never seen a GRP sheathed keel before and so know little about them.
The tanks seem to be mounted over the centreline in the boat we have looked at so the keel bolts are not visible or maybe don't exist!

Does anybody know anything about GRP sheathed keels and how I can tell either way?
 
Some boats, like a Snapdragon for example, have keels that are encapsulated i.e. come out of the plug as an integral part of the moulding. These won't have keel bolts. You can usually tell by looking because the keels go straight down in order that they will come out of the mould. This is not great for performance. If the keels are splayed then it is a fair bet that they will be bolted on and you will see a join between the keels and the hull.
 
Encapsulated keel (one variety).

lookmum.jpg
 
G'day and welcome to the YBW forums.

If it is in fact a lead keel then it should be no problem, some lead keels come out looking a bit sad with sand and other contamination, putting a layer of fibreglass over it not inly covers the problem but also protects it.

Encapsulated or laminated and bolted lead keel, I would be happy it was all lead and not iron.

Now, if was a cast iron keel I would have some concerns. Get a surveyor to give you his/her opinion, I'm sure it will pass.

Avagoodweekend......
 
Thanks for the welcome and info...... have regularly referred to the forum but never bitten the bullet, till now!

The boat that we have been looking at is a Schoechl Sunbeam, made in Austria (yes really) in 1986. Fin keel and definitely lead and definitely no keel joint as covered in GRP. The problem in my mind is as follows:-
The boat was built in 1986 and the fuel tanks have been installed under the floor of the saloon, which prevents any access to any keel bolts.... assuming that any exist. As my personal knowledge is limited to bolt on iron keels and lead encapsulated keel the possibility of a bolt on lead keel, sheathed in GRP (but with bolts hidden) is both an unknown and obviously a risk.

Hope this helps
 
Many lead keels are bolted to hulls with few problems. The fact that you suspect the bolts might be under the fuel storage is not a major problem, If the tank is removable it's a simple job, if it's built in and is glass, then cutting the top off is not major surgery and re-glassing is simple enough as well.

I was involved in the casting of a lead keel for an S&S a few years back and was impressed by set up and stainless steel mating plate with 14 stainless threaded rods then ran down into the lead and were also welded on the underside. The fact that lead stands up very well in this environment reduces the risks and increases confidence.

The risk of corrosive damage is minimal compared to a cast iron keel.

Hope this helps.
 
Bilge Rat said:
We've been looking at a secondhand boat with a lead keel. It appears to be an encapsulated keel however a knowledgeable friend has implied that it could also be a bolt on keel but GRP sheathed. To be honest I have never seen a GRP sheathed keel before and so know little about them.
The tanks seem to be mounted over the centreline in the boat we have looked at so the keel bolts are not visible or maybe don't exist!

Does anybody know anything about GRP sheathed keels and how I can tell either way?
Click to expand...

Class of Yacht :rolleyes:
 
Yes, Deacons indeed.

Have found a good example further afield but VAT not paid..... thought that at the right price this may be a good bet. Does anyone have any knowledge of this specific boat and it's history?
 
Not very specific, but I believe the yacht was out in the Caribbean for a no of years and I do know it has been on Deacon's books for quite a while & I think asking price has come down
 
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