False keel section and water getting in through keel

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

I've read the posts here about removal and leaving the aft hollow section of the keel off if it has problems. For those that did that, did the change of keel shape change the hydrodynamics and make the boat slower or affect handling in forward or the already horrid reverse? Any tips on that repair?

I read one previous post that mentioned just filling it with epoxy. What does everyone think about that?

Anyone actually bought the replacement from Tartan and replaced the hollow section?

cseltzjr · **Joined:** 16 May 2009 08:06 **Posts:** 254

I would never argue with Olin Stephens regarding keel design! Mine became an issue, holding water in the winter and finally coming lose. I filled it with foam and glassed it back in place. That was probably 15 years ago and I haven't heard from it since.

WayneH · **Posted:** 16 Nov 2017 21:29

Cracked mine during a brush with a tree trunk in a bayou. My then yard took it off and glassed in a smooth transition. I haven't noticed any difference in the way the boat handles. But if I had to do it again, I'd put the hydrofin back on.

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zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

So, the boat yard has cut the trailing edge of the keel off. It was definitely full of water, and I'm sure this is the root of the problem I was having with water getting inside the boat just like Ganzie describes here (viewtopic.php?f=4&t=1219&p=6784&hilit=false+keel(#p6784). That bottom part of the opening, sectioned off into 2 side by side areas, is maybe something a previous owner had done. They were full of soaked open cell foam that has been dug out now. Maybe it was something done to try and stop previous leaks.

We are going to try and get everything sealed up here from the outside, and I'm thinking of following the advice and replacing the false keel section. The yard doesn't seem to be in favor of pouring thinned epoxy into the area inside the bilge like Ganzie did. From the grinding they have done on the inside of the boat, they are telling me that the structure around the lead inside the keel has lots of voids (I think they used the words "swiss cheese"). They think the epoxy would flow and fill the lowest voids but miss places higher up and not be worth the trouble. Not sure how I feel about that as it seemed to work for Ganzie.

The other big question is will this also fix the small amount of water we have coming inside at the front of the keel mentioned in the post linked above. Could our keels have enough voids where water coming into the back of the keel is migrating all the way to the very front and then coming inside the boat through a small crack in the gel coat? We found another spot on the bottom of the keel with water coming out just after being pulled from the water (the bottom of our keel next to the CB slot is all gnarled up). The yard is grinding down the bottom of the keel and going to seal those areas up as well.

Anyone else had to track down water coming inside the boat by way of migrating up through voids in the keel around the lead? Any ideas on the construction down there? Words of encouragement so I don't go jump off a bridge over all this? Smile

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

An update here: We ground into all the areas in the keel with any evidence of moisture/openings and are letting it all dry out. Also, hooked up a vacuum to pump air through one of the larger voids with the most water on the bottom of the keel. The back of the keel is dry now, and we have opted to build it back/fill with epoxy to almost the same shape as the original, then fiberglass over that. It should be pretty close to the shape of the original and definitely stronger.

The bottom of the keel and some of the other spots around the sides and front are still drying out. As soon as dry, going to fiberglass over all these areas. Then, put her back in the water and hope all is fixed. I'll post a few pics here and keep everyone posted in case someone else has something like this and needs the info.

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

Ground down areas of the keel and hooked up vacuum.

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

One area of interest at front of keel with what seems like small pin hole just below aforementioned leak into bilge. It's still drying after almost 2 weeks as are a few other spots. Could be one of the culprits.

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

Starting on the rebuild of the false section of the keel.

berwick · **Joined:** 21 Oct 2006 18:12 **Posts:** 327

Wow great job and pictures!

Richard

zdunc · **Joined:** 24 Sep 2013 09:20 **Posts:** 393

Thanks Richard! Although I can't take credit for the work. I'm paying a yard to do it. But, I have spent the last two months convincing them that this is the correct repair. They tried twice unsuccessfully to just fiberglass inside the bilge to keep the water that was oozing up through the keel and getting into the bilge through cracks in the interior gelcoat.

Here are the next set of pics. Basic epoxy structure completed. Next they'll finish it smooth, then lay some fiberglass over it for strength and to round out the trailing edge to close to the original shape.

Tartan37.com

False keel section and water getting in through keel

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