Iron Keel Corrosion - to treat or not to treat

[Chris_Robb]

I have just bought a new (old boat) Westerly ocean lord. I have had a quote for the grit blasting of the keel +5 coats of epoxy and primer.

The question is:
1. Will the corrosion just come back in 5 years
2. Is it just cosmetic - and well who looks at the keel anyway
3. if you just keep it cleaned up each year with a grinder - is there any long term problem.

Could I save £500 squids sensibly.

 

[Mudplugger]

Chris,
FYI for what its worth!
Several years ago, went down the road of having my keel sand blasted and very promptly following up with several coats of epoxy. Re-appearance of rust was not a problem, but too get the keel back into a faired state took about 3 years graft with epoxy filler! (not all the time, but each winter I'd do a bit more) Had I known then what I subsequently learn't, I would have settled for angle grinder and spot filling/de-rusting. and saved some beer tokens!

 

[Aja]

Your not going to be (a) looking at it much and (b) racing [Oceanlord] so I would just sand down every winter, prime and re antifoul.

that's what I do.

Donald

 

[Chris_Robb]

Had not thought about that - I suppose there propably is a large amount of fairing in done when it was new - and it would all have to be done again!

beginning to think I'll save the squids - save towards a chart plotter???

 

[Chris_Robb]

2 now say - don't waste the money -

 

[RJD393]

Unless you are really lucky/careful you will find that some areas of the keel 'retain' moisture and the epoxy will lift off. IMO epoxying a keel is only worthwhile if it hasn't spent time in the sea! (i.e. new) Better would be to use conventional paint system (Blakes keelprime/Primocon) and be prepared to touch in areas as needed each year.

 

[PaulR]

interesting as our dehler has iron keel and just started to show some rust spots so this winter have been rubbing down and coating with international recommended coating (battleship grey hope it scares the barnacles through the antifouling!) so encouraged by others comments that this is sensible way to do it

 

[MoodySabre]

Same here. I'm going to clean mine off with sanding discs and an angle grinder, coat with rust converter, prime with keel primer (now called underwater primer by Blakes) then antifoul 3 coats of Blakes Tiger Xtra. See what it's like next year before opting for a shotblast. Suddenly I'm glad that I don't have a bilgekeeler!

 

[DanTribe]

I'm not sure if it's still available but epoxy tar is very good.
I cleaned an iron keel with an angle grinder and applied 3 cts International pitch epoxy. It was good for more than 12 years. The tar did bleed through a bit for a couple of years, but so what?
I think the tar element lends a bit of elasticity to the coating, allowing an element of self sealing to scrapes.

 

[beluga]

Hi, I have had a Oceanlord now for just over three years I also have the occasional rust spot breaking through on the keel. All I have done is cleaned and re antifouled and it does not seem to be getting any worse. If you want any info I have just about refurbished the whole boat throughout, and would be happy to chat. Ian Fellingham.

 

[luddites]

IMHO a complete waste of money and a relatively new idea.

There are plenty of boats sailing around 70-80 years old with iron keels that have never had any treatment other than the occassional paint with whatever was left over.

 

[jb2006]

Did rust bubbles on iron keel last winter with a wire brush and keel primer (can't remember which but the zinc in it mixes in when you stir it - Blakes?) - little or no rust this year

 

[Heckler]

for waht its worth, cast iron doesnt rust like steel, ie turn to lace etc. anyway 4 years ago bought my bene 351, there was rust bubbles under the cast keel coating, i got an angle grinder and went down to shiny metal on the rust spots, slapped smooth hammerite primer on and that wasi t, every year i did the smaller spots and now it is ok. dont worry, not worth doing the lot
stu

 

[William_H]

No not worth doing properly. Just trreat the spots each haul out.
Around here antifoul is pretty important and it is dismaying to see the paint popped off by rust bubbles. When in water cleaning. But if A/f is not so important and you are happy to haul out every winter then spot treatmenty will be fine. You would be very dissapointed to see rust bubbles after a major costly clean up. olewill

 

[capt_courageous]

Hi CHris
We now have a boat with exposed iron keels after years of owning a boat with encapsulated keels. I have tried just getting rid of rust spots by scrapping etc and putting on naval jelly and hoping. It sort of works. This winter I have fitted a couple of anodes to each keel. I don't know if this will work but would like to hear from anyone who has also tried this.