Keel hull join

[wiggy]

What would people suggest top prepare the keel/hull join for copper coating on my Beneteau First 31.7. I'm not having the keel blasted as the existing epoxy coating is in good condition but there is a little rust aroun the join. The hull is being scraped and sanded.

 

[wiggy]

Oh come on someone must have an opinion, I havn'nt got a bloody clue what to do.

 

[Rigger Mortice]

If you insist.
I doubt that it really matters. A thin line of a millimetre or so isn't likely to be a major problem. Personally, I would treat it the same as the hull.

 

[Slowtack]

I have see the coppercoat crack in several boats due to flexing at the hull-keel joint. How about trying a deliberate small grooved joint so that the crack is induced in a straight line along the joint instead of a random zigzag? Similar to crack induction in concrete construction. The joint can be filled with a flexible polysulphide sealant and the narrow strip painted with a standard copper based antifouling.