Do all Beneteaus have iron keels?

[SloopJonB]

Originally Posted by mad_machine

One of the benefits of iron is that after sanding your keel down to bare metal, you can always weld more metal onto it to fill any rust eaten hulls. This also works for any missing "chunks" taken out from groundings. You can then grind it back smooth and prep with modern paints and sealers and go on your way

If you take a "chunk" out of an iron keel in a grounding, smoothing the keel out is going to be the least of your concerns.

[miatapaul]

Originally Posted by mad_machine

One of the benefits of iron is that after sanding your keel down to bare metal, you can always weld more metal onto it to fill any rust eaten hulls. This also works for any missing "chunks" taken out from groundings. You can then grind it back smooth and prep with modern paints and sealers and go on your way

I would think it would be a lot easier to patch in some lead than weld in some metal. I have a torch that will melt lead, not a wielding setup.

[SloopJonB]

Welding cast iron is a skill that few have mastered - it is extremely difficult. A cast steel keel would be a different matter but they are rare. I've only seen them on fairly small boats and they were made from steel plate filled with ballast, not one piece castings.

[mad_machine]

Originally Posted by miatapaul

I would think it would be a lot easier to patch in some lead than weld in some metal. I have a torch that will melt lead, not a wielding setup.

Not saying it isn't. lead is much easier to use. I am just saying it can be done by any competant machine shop and more than a few professional welders

[Minnewaska]

Originally Posted by HeartsContent

Thanks that's the perspective I was looking for! My concern was adding additional expense to every bottom job for an iron keel.

I can tell your mind is made up and that's fine. However, the iron keel maintenance I described is pretty inconsequential to the cost of a bottom painting and I think you realize, it isn't necessary every time.

When you get crevice corrosion on the bolts coming from your lead keel, let us know what that maintenance sets you back. A grinding wheel you could run yourself in 20 minutes and a couple slaps of epoxy is going to seem like a pretty good deal.

[HeartsContent]

My mind is definitely not made up and really appreciate the feedback. I may be over thinking this.

Note, I can be really anal about these things.

[aquaholic]

You would be hard pushed to find lead keels in new boats in Europe these days, in fact i thought the yearly rust grinding was a tradition

[PCP]

Originally Posted by aquaholic

You would be hard pushed to find lead keels in new boats in Europe these days, in fact i thought the yearly rust grinding was a tradition

In some brands lead keels are an option. It is more common to have it as an option with performance boats because it is an expensive option and the influence (besides maintenance) regards mainly to performance (not stability).

Some years ago brands like Bavaria, Hanse and I think Beneteau Oceanis offered lead keels as option. Today they are almost restricted to very expensive boats or as an option in performance boats and in most of the cases, for performance reasons also, they are iron/lead: Iron or steel for the structure, lead for the torpedo.

The Benetau First has as an option a iron/lead keel that almost all clients subscribe. The previous First models had all lead keels (and were heavier on account of that).

Regards

Paulo