When my 1977 24 was pulled last fall and set on the trailer I noticed a hairline crack at the hull/keel joint. The boat is slightly crooked on the trailer which seems to me may have put additional pressure on the keel. I don't know if the crack opened in the water or after it was set on the trailer. The keel was fair last spring.
1. What should I use to fill the crack before applying bottom paint?
2. Something flexible or hard?
3. Should I open it up (form a v-groove) before fairing?
4. Should I torque the keel bolts on the trailer or in the water?
I'd guess the crack could open again if I wait to torque in the water.
-CH
I have learned that keel bolts should be torqued on the hard.
Edit 6/21
Torqued keel bolts
Filled hairline crack at keel/hull joint with 5200
Rolled on VC 17m
I'll see how it looks in the fall.
-CH
Edit 11/2013
Haulout was 10/30.
Small crack at the aft end of the hull/keel joint.
Some of the VC-17 appeared wrinkled over the starboard side of the joint after pressure washing.
Apparently one of the PO's used silicone to seal the crack.
Next spring I'll scrape silicone torque keel bolts and apply 4200. (recommended by yard guys)
-CH
Edit 4/2016
More wrinkles under VC-17 at haulout, but less than last year.
Separation between hull and keel is minimal this spring.
Will clean out more silicone caulk and apply 4200.
I torque keel bolts each spring.
-CH
1. What should I use to fill the crack before applying bottom paint?
2. Something flexible or hard?
3. Should I open it up (form a v-groove) before fairing?
4. Should I torque the keel bolts on the trailer or in the water?
I'd guess the crack could open again if I wait to torque in the water.
-CH
I have learned that keel bolts should be torqued on the hard.
Edit 6/21
Torqued keel bolts
Filled hairline crack at keel/hull joint with 5200
Rolled on VC 17m
I'll see how it looks in the fall.
-CH
Edit 11/2013
Haulout was 10/30.
Small crack at the aft end of the hull/keel joint.
Some of the VC-17 appeared wrinkled over the starboard side of the joint after pressure washing.
Apparently one of the PO's used silicone to seal the crack.
Next spring I'll scrape silicone torque keel bolts and apply 4200. (recommended by yard guys)
-CH
Edit 4/2016
More wrinkles under VC-17 at haulout, but less than last year.
Separation between hull and keel is minimal this spring.
Will clean out more silicone caulk and apply 4200.
I torque keel bolts each spring.
-CH