weeping keel - Pearson 32

pegasus1457 · #1 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

I noticed a weeping patch on the keel of my 1980 P32 today. It was not there when I bought the boat this summer, but since it has been in the water
it has appeared. It is a 6 inch square patch more or less in the center of the keel on one side, and it is weeping a creamy yellow liquid. Actually given the
weather here, it is now a creamy yellow ice.

I tapped on the square patch and it feels like it could be lead. Is this the remnants of a repair? Is it part of the Pearson fabrication process?

I have no idea what it is. Can someone enlighten me?

I have posted this query to the Pearson owner's list but so far no reply.

deniseO30 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

do you have an encapsulated keel like my Oday? Sounds like osmosis? Possibly the bilge water is working its way down? The fix is easy grind sand, fill, fair, paint. Finding the cause can be the problem.

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

My guess is that is an encapsulated keel... so you've got to find out where the water is getting into the keel. It could be coming in from above or through the laminate.

SEMIJim · #4 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Our P30 has an encapsulated keel, so it's a pretty good bet the OP's P32 does.

Jim

USCGRET1990 · #5 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Drill 1/4" holes in the area to drain it. It's not good for it to freeze inside.
If it's weeping, there's already some sort of break in the glass. Stop drilling if/when the drill bit starts to spit out lead. Creamy yellow is most likely oil emulsified in (salt)water.

sailingdog · #6 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

If USCGRET is correct, then it is probably bilge water, not osmosis or a crack through the hull.

Quote:

Originally Posted by USCGRET1990

Drill 1/4" holes in the area to drain it. It's not good for it to freeze inside.
If it's weeping, there's already some sort of break in the glass. Stop drilling if/when the drill bit starts to spit out lead. Creamy yellow is most likely oil emulsified in (salt)water.

Sailormann · #7 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Where is the wet patch located ? Top or bottom (of the keel)?

camaraderie · #8 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

I agree...drill and drain and make no repairs till spring...you don't want stuff freezing inside your keel. You've got some voids in your keel that will need to be epoxy filled...and you will need to find the source and nature of the leak and cure that before attemping repairs lower down on the keel.

pegasus1457 · #9 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sailormann

Where is the wet patch located ? Top or bottom (of the keel)?

From memory it is close to dead center on one side of the keel.
I think the patch starts about 16 inches below the hull.
I was under the impression that this keel is lead through and through, not
encapsulated. The surveyor and I chipped off some bottom paint and came up with lead ...

I would have to go to the boatyard where she is sitting and measure to
give a more precise position.

hellosailor · #10 (**permalink**) 12-03-2007

I spent a lot of time on a P32 and I *think* it was an external simple bolt-on keel. Not encapsulated. A square of any kind says "patch" to me, not something manufactured. Could you post a photo? Is if in the keel stub, above the keel proper, or down where only metal should be?

It could be that someone sistered in or replaced a keel bolt--and this is where they cut in in order to get the "J" shaped part off the bottom of the old bolt.

In any case, liquid freezing and expanding, doing damage in the keel, is not a good thing and it does need to be drained and explored. Thoroughly