Possible keel damage after collision..

[Ric]

I think I may have some leakage around my keel bolts after a collision with an unkown submerged object about 10m off NW Corsica. It was quite a big bang, boat (Jeanneau 32.2) stopped dead from about 6 knots. I can't see damage to the keel bolt heads or surrounds, but there seems to be faster water ingress to the bilge than previously.

What should I do about this?

 

[Woodlouse]

Get the boat lifted out and have a surveyor look at it.

 

[MoodySabre]

Ouch!

I can't see that you have any alternatives to a lift out to inspect the join between the keel and the hull. Take it from there.

 

[MoodySabre]

And tell your insurance company first in case the whole cost is worth claiming for.

 

[jwilson]

If a modern fin-keeled Jeanneau (or almost anything else in the production boat line) stops dead from 6 knots after the keel hitting something solid you're probably into a big, big bill (25-50% of yacht value not that uncommon to fix properly). Usual problems are cracking/delamination of the web structure inside the hull, and stress cracks around the keel externally. You need this lifted out and a surveyor with experience of GRP to look...

 

[orizaba]

"but there seems to be faster water ingress to the bilge than previously"
i know i might be being a bit pedantic here but i have to ask the question. why was water coming in in the first place.?
or am i misreading the post
apart from that i would agree with all other answers lift out asap and advise the insurers.
i assume you are in a marina by now,if not keep a pump handy and go steady,don't put to much stress on the keel

 

[Dougie_the_Mate]

We struck a submerged object in the Gareloch - a waterlogged railway sleeper as it turned out - at the very beginning of the season. When the boat was lifted out and surveyed the starboard keel was flexing very badly although there was no water getting in. The repairs were done by our insurer and it cost the best part of £4k to set it right. Lost the first month or so of the season while she was laid up.

 

[rhumlady]

Dougie, I wondered why she apeared hanging in the slings of the big hoist at DRB. are you sure it wasn't a waterlogged submarine?