Seawych keel filling!

[The Binman]

Can anyone help please?
Some may remember that I have been searching for my late father in laws Seawych. Well I think I have found her! Sitting on the hard in a boatyard, looking very sad.

Principle problem as far as I can see is that the keels have worn away at the base exposing the "stampings" that were used to fill the keels on these self build boats. Someone has (roughly) cut holes in the keels at their base, to remove the, rusting, contents of the keels.

Question is this, is it terminal or can it be saved, What would you use to refill? Is it worth it? The rest of the boat it would seem it is in reasonable condition although a lot of gear has been removed,

I understand this could be a common fault and I wonder if anyone has any experience

Any suggestions gratefully received

 

[Tranona]

Yes, common. The ballast is steel punching and poured into the keels mixed with resin. The boat is tipped forward so the ballast is in the front part of each keel. The rate is filled with foam and glassed over. The building instructions show how to do it and the weight required. The owners association should be able to provide the information and source of shoes for the keels.

 

[Blueboatman]

My Corribee had similar keels, useful deep storage at the back, a bulkhead, front bit was filled with....lead ingots about 16 inches x 3 x2 and beddded in sand then glassed over..No rust issues of course
My first year of sailing, every time I tacked there was an odd 'clonk' sound from one bilge...the sand needed topping up!

 

[Seajet]

Try VicS of these forums, he either runs or is something to do with the SeaWych Owners Association.

 

[The Binman]

Yes, common. The ballast is steel punching and poured into the keels mixed with resin. The boat is tipped forward so the ballast is in the front part of each keel. The rate is filled with foam and glassed over. The building instructions show how to do it and the weight required. The owners association should be able to provide the information and source of shoes for the keels.

Ah! That explains why the front part of the keel has been cut away! Thanks for the info, much appreciated. There doesn't seem to be any trace of resin, just loose steel punchings.

 

[VicS]

Can anyone help please?
Some may remember that I have been searching for my late father in laws Seawych. Well I think I have found her! Sitting on the hard in a boatyard, looking very sad.

Principle problem as far as I can see is that the keels have worn away at the base exposing the "stampings" that were used to fill the keels on these self build boats. Someone has (roughly) cut holes in the keels at their base, to remove the, rusting, contents of the keels.

Question is this, is it terminal or can it be saved, What would you use to refill? Is it worth it? The rest of the boat it would seem it is in reasonable condition although a lot of gear has been removed,

I understand this could be a common fault and I wonder if anyone has any experience

Any suggestions gratefully received

Yes it can be saved. One was recently repaired in the yard where I am based. ( see before pics below and also https://picasaweb.google.com/101865...CNjm6KzE-qPCuwE#slideshow/5911587597771470306

Weight of ballast depends on age of boat but if you are doing both probably best to increase it to the higher figure for the mark 2 boats. ( 360lbs per keel) See the info page on the OA website for the weights.

When filled new the boats were tipped forward so that the bow rested on the ground and the ballast put in level a little at a time and coated with a little resin. . The space above was foam filled before sealing the whole lot over with resin and glass. Full details in the building instructions which are available to members of the OA from the Seawych shop.


Be sure to fit keel shoes ( also available from the Seawych shop) when you have repaired it.

Membership details on the website too.

 

[The Binman]

VicS, you are truly an expert on all things Seawych! Thank you. My FIL's boat is nowhere near as bad as the one in the photo's so there is hope yet for the boat. I will join the Association as you suggest and see if I can get one more Seawych back on the water.
Once again, many thanks