Robert lanca
New Member
Hi all i have a Virgo Voyager 3 keels . Bildge and center . I need ti know if these are solid . I was thinking of removing and blast them .
Virgo voyager
- Thread starter Robert lanca
- Start date
GrandadPig
Well-Known Member
Welcome to the forum, I have had lots of useful advice here over the years. Left for a few years (swallowed the anchor) but couldn’t stand being boatless, rejoined recently. Rather than remove, why not do them in situ? Is there a reason for removing?
LittleSister
Well-Known Member
I don't know, but from pictures of a triple keel Voyager, it looks to me like the central keel is encapsulated (i.e. is part of the GRP hull structure, with the ballast set inside it,) while the bilge keels look more likely to be bolted on. (You can check the latter inside the boat- are there bolts holding them on?)
Why do you want to 'blast' them?
Why do you want to 'blast' them?
Robert lanca
New Member
I need to remove some rust and have it smooth . Both center and bilge keels are bolted
Robert lanca
New Member
I am new to sailing boats and She is old even though well kept and maintained . I would like to check the the keels and bolts to ensure all is in perfect consition . Further more i want the keels smooth and maybe i cover with weat system to protect
GrandadPig
Well-Known Member
ah I understand. Try not to get too bogged down in worrying about every detail though. You have a good solid boat, it’s lasted all this time afterall!
Tranona
Well-Known Member
The only way to deal with rust is to have the keels blasted and immediately coated with epoxy. Expensive and time consuming. Cast iron/ seawater and rust are a fact of life and most people deal with it on keels by patching as they go along - grinding away the rust, applying a primer and then antifoul. Tends to last a few years but next year you will have a few new spots to deal with. Highly unlikely there is anything wrong with the keel bolts. What did your surveyor say? If you did not have a survey then first check the heads of the bolts (or nuts) inside then inspect the joint between the keels and the hull. If there are no signs of the keel/hull seal failing such as rust streaks down the keel of lumps of sealing coming out and no sign of water leaking past the bolts inside you have nothing to worry about.
Robert lanca
New Member
Everthings looks perfect . Bolt heads are well protected and no signs of leaks and all looks solid . . She is in a very good shape . This year i will have tge keels blasted and i will have them smooth and covered . She is a classy sexy boat . Just needs to be kept well. Tha k you . So i assume the keels are solid .
Tranona
Well-Known Member
Of they are all cast iron they will be solid. Suggest you use an epoxy like Hempadur if you are going to the cost of blasting hempel.com/products/hempadur-15570-15570
Robert lanca
New Member
Thabks for the info . This is my next project after aummer on my boat
ghostlymoron
Well-Known Member
You can check the bolts without removing the keels. Just pull them one at a time.
Transvemare
New Member
Don't know which Virgo you've got, but keels sound odd. Had some involvement in original design/build, and there was no centre bolt-on keel. This was part of the hull moulding - a rounded stub keel with some internal ballast. The bilge keels were, correctly, steel plates. The boat had the centre stub keel so that a drop keel could be fitted, or a centre keel. bolted through. They didn't come with all three - normally! Would very strongly advise you NOT to remove one stud or bold at a time - recipe for leaks if nothing else.