Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 35 keel joint help please

[GAJ]

Are there any forumites out there who either own a Jeanneau SO35 circa 2005 with a 1.85mt draught or can readily see one on the hard that could have a quick look at the closeness of the fit of the keel to hull joint and report back?

The reason being that my oldest pal is now the proud new owner of such a vessel (sold up and life savings just gone into the purchase) and has been dismayed to find a crack in the keel to hull joint at the fwd end upon lifting out the day before yesterday. In an attempt to calm him I pointed out that this is not uncommon with boats of this type of construction due to some minor flexing of the hull when the weight is placed upon the keel root and the hull particularly if the propping is not adequate. I know the yard where the boat is and have no doubt that the cradle and propping is spot on. Unforunately further investigation has shown that the gap between the top of the keel and the hull is approximately 10mm at the fwd end, tapering off aft. This space was filled with sealant and covered with antifouling. I would have hoped for no gap at all but not be uduly concerened by say 2mm or a little more but 10mm does not look good.

The question is did it come out of the factory like that due to the mating surfaces of the hull and keel not being matching profiles and that all the SO35's are the same? If that is the case it is a manufacturing issue and there will be little to be done about that I guess. I imagine then the answer is to clean out the old sealant, clean the stud/bolt etc and rebed and tighten all the keel bolts to the required torque setting.

On the other hand it could be something more serious that was missed during the pre purchase survey carried out a few weeks ago?

A rusty fwd keel bolt and a small amount of water continously collecting in the bilge indicate an ingress of water from somewhere. OK, I know that could be the toilet, deck leak or fresh water system etc and, no, he didn't taste it when the boat was in the water but there is no more water now the boat is on the hard.

No grounding since taking possession of the boat.

Any first hand observations would be really be most helpful.

 

[Sans Bateau]

I'd say refer back to the surveyor, Its two possible problems. A boat problem and maybe a surveyor problem, who should have spotted it.

 

[Tranona]

Agree. That should have been covered in the survey (assuming he had one).

 

[GAJ]

I agree completely, the surveyor is due to attend today but there are experienced surveyors who can do the job and others who maybe are not so qualified such as the retired government employees looking to earn a crust in their spare time I have come across laterly.
Which stable this chap is from we are yet to see.

Fingers crossed it is much ado about nothing.

 

[snooks]

Have a check low down around the leading edge of the keel for any dings/dents, but also check the trailing edge at the root and look for any distortion or crack in the hull by the top of the trailing edge outside, and any cracks/damage or repair on the inside. If there is no evidence of a previous grounding don't worry too much about it

10mm sounds a lot, but it's not out of the question in a 35ft boat. Castings vary and as long as the gap doesn't go too far back it should be ok.

Another quick thought, is the back stay really cranked on, or was it released prior to lifting out?

 

[FullCircle]

I have a 35 lift keel, which has a similar bolting arrangement (except mine has 3 more bolts to the aft of the normal keel).
No gap, and none expected. My small leak is mainly through the propshaft seal, not at the bolts. As I regularly ground my boat (last night again) if there was a weakness I would have found it. My boat is a 2005, and I have had it since new.

I suggest you post and search the Jeanneau Owners forum, useful bunch....

http://jeanneau.proboards.com/

and it may be worth giving Ian Scott a ring at Clarke and Carter the Jeanneau dealer.

Also, you may wish to search for the Sun Oddy 37 that sailed home without a keel at all. Hmm.

 

[GAJ]

Have a check low down around the leading edge of the keel for any dings/dents, but also check the trailing edge at the root and look for any distortion or crack in the hull by the top of the trailing edge outside, and any cracks/damage or repair on the inside. If there is no evidence of a previous grounding don't worry too much about it

10mm sounds a lot, but it's not out of the question in a 35ft boat. Castings vary and as long as the gap doesn't go too far back it should be ok.

Another quick thought, is the back stay really cranked on, or was it released prior to lifting out?

Snooks, thanks for the input you have repeated almost word for word what I said to my pal re joints, dings, previous repairs and stress cracking etc. I did ask re backstay but it seems that the tension is OK now but it would be if the boat has changed shape.
We shall see what the surveyor says later.

 

[GAJ]

I have a 35 lift keel, which has a similar bolting arrangement (except mine has 3 more bolts to the aft of the normal keel).
No gap, and none expected. My small leak is mainly through the propshaft seal, not at the bolts. As I regularly ground my boat (last night again) if there was a weakness I would have found it. My boat is a 2005, and I have had it since new.

I suggest you post and search the Jeanneau Owners forum, useful bunch....

http://jeanneau.proboards.com/

and it may be worth giving Ian Scott a ring at Clarke and Carter the Jeanneau dealer.

Also, you may wish to search for the Sun Oddy 37 that sailed home without a keel at all. Hmm.

Thanks for the pointers, interesting that your boat has no gap good for youI will have a look at the owners forum and contact Ian Scott.

How did that 37 do that, I know the 37 has a rep for being a strong boat but sailing without a keel?????????