Keel Crack in C&C 30

[outerisland]

I am looking at purchasing a 1974 C&C 30 for casual cruising in the Apostle Islands on Lake Superior and would like get more information on how common keel cracks are in this vintage of C&C. The boat appears to be in great shape with the exception of a crack on the forward side of where the keel joins the hull. I have not had the boat surveyed yet, but have visually inspected the keep bolts and they look good.

I have attached a photo, any feedback is appreciated. Thanks.....

[Diva27]

It would seem to me that what you're seeing is a classic case of the C&C "smile," a bit of a separation between lead keel and fg keel stub in the 1970s C&C's where the joint has a downward slope at the forward end. I have a 1971 C&C 27 and I'm confident it displayed something similar when I bought her. My opinion is no substitute for a surveyor's, but this is pretty common and not in any way catastrophic. The main thing is to be assured there is no keel bolt problem. So long as the keel is solidly in place, what you're seeing can be filled by a simple epoxy job.
You might want to visit the C&C owners website to see if you can learn more.
C&C Yachts - C&C Photo Album & Resource Center

[sailingfool]

Definitely the common C&C smile, which represents only some loose filler. Dig it open, fill with your choice of material, and if you run the boat hard, you'll probably need to do it again next year...

[FDR14127]

Classic maintenance problem with C&C. If the surveyor freaks it would tell you more about his experience level than the condition of the boat. I did mine with Marine Bondo several years ago and haven't to repeat it yet.

[lattitudes38]

About 19 yrs ago I hit a rock almost dead center on the keel. I hauled the boat and inspected the damage, sure unough I saw C&C Smile. I also noticed that the lead seemed to be a two piece assembly (port and starboard sections) One section appeared to have shifted aft approx 1/8 inch. I am not positive of how the keel was constructed, I can only tell you what I saw. I inspected all keel bolts and whatever seemed approriate at the time and saw no further damage. I filled and painted it and then sailed another 5 yrs on the C&C Corvette before I sold it. I don't think your crack is something to worry about.
Fair winds
Lattitudes38

[RobGallagher]

I have a '72 30 MK1.
When I purchased the boat mine did/does the same.
My boat's hull was barrier coated, but not the keel and paint was flaking off the keel.
First I torqued my keel bolts. Spec's are on CNCPhotoalbum.com
Then:
I stripped the keel, primed, barrier coated it.
I then taped of a section around the smile.
Using 3m 4200 (I think, it was years ago) and a putty knife, I covered the taped off area, making a flexible "gasket". Thus the smile might return but water would not get in under the barrier coat.
Next I barrier coated over the "gasket", not sure why, but I did.
10 years later I'm still doing just fine.
A smile does sometimes return but I simply paint over it. The 3m is still flexible.

I think the smile is due to the leverage effect when the boat sits on her swept back keel.

If I knew now what I knew then, I might not have bothered with the "gasket" but I guess I can't argue with results 10 years later

Any questions, please feel free to PM me.