[ichorniy]

I have a Hunter 29.5 1996.

As I understand it has top portion of the keel encapsulated and at the bottom I have lead bulb with a small wings.

I have small crack on the side of the keel with a rust stain.

I was wondering if somebody can give advices on what it could be and what should I do to fix it.

I assume water is sipping down the keel bolt and is getting out in that spot. I would assume I have to stop leak from the bilge and repair this crack on the side of the keel.

I usually have about ½ inch of water in the bilge because pump can't get all water completely.

Igor

 

[ichorniy]

Keel is lead, or at least it should be...

Thanks for all responses! I had the boat surveyed before the purchase. Surveyor said that this cosmetic is not serious but I need to fix it in the next season or two to prevent spread. Survey itself doesn't even mention this small crack. "Keel is sound, hull to keel joint is sound, and no signs of grounding". After season in the water crack didn't get any worse. We also have early and harsh winter in Toronto this year. I was worried that if any moisture is trapped inside it will expand. But so far after almost 3 month on the hard with temp of -20C at night I can't see any expansion.

As per spec keel is lead.

But i found this review, which said that top portion of the keel is encapsulated and bottom is lead bulb.

"This is the first fibreglass keel ballast arrangement that I have liked. There are those who favour external lead keels bolted firmly to the bottom of the hull and others who like a fibreglass keel with internal lead because there are no holes destroying the integrity of the hull. My usual argument against a glass-moulded keel with internal ballast is that, when (not if) the boat runs aground, the fibreglass gets damaged and is more difficult to repair than lead. More importantly, it water gets in between the lead and fibreglass and freezes in the winter, it can break the bond between the two and further damage the fibreglass. The Hunter 29.5 has added a new twist. A fibreglass keel is moulded as part of the hull and then an internal casting in set in place. A lead bulb/wing casting with a recess to accept the lower part of the fibreglass fin, is slipped on and bolted up through the fibreglass and internal ballast. The benefits of this arrangement are: a keel that comes from the hull-to-ballast joint that could flex or crack and a lead shoe to absorb the impact of grounding."

Design Review "Sensible Solutions" By Steve Killing...

First time posting pictures, I will do better next time.

Since know I know that keel is encapsulated lead I start to wonder from there rust stain is coming.

JP, would you have more information on keel repair posts? Sailnet search is not the most efficient one. Or I maybe don't know how to use it properly but if you type keel it will bring all post about keel and there hundreds of them.

 

[ichorniy]

next step

Thanks bljones that was helpful!

I think I will follow these steps posted by sailingfool at some of the previous posts:

This should be a simple DIY repair.
- Buy a supply of West Expoxy and microballoon filler.
- Use a putty knife or chisel to cut off the skin
- Grind the lead bright with a wire wheel or abrasive disk
- Clean and immediately brush on a coat of epoxy.
- Apply and sand additional coats of epoxy/microballoon paste
until the reapir is faired to your satisfaction, then paint. Read product directions as to time, temp, solvents to use, etc.

----

After this I will monitor for 2-3 seasons and go from there...

PS. I have a moisture meter and I checked keel all around it seem that moisture measurements are consistent all around the keel. So I don't think I have pool of water sitting behind that crack...