Crack in Keel

[Geoffreykwright]

Hi everyone - I have noticed a small crack on the forward edge of my keel (photo attached - this is an extreme close up - standing 15' from the boat I hardly noticed it).  It is only on the port side.  I have a Cat 34 Mk II and i have never grounded (not sure if the previous owner did).  I have been reading the forum and found references to the "smile".  Not sure if this is the same thing.  I have never seen this crack in past years.  This winter was the first winter I was on jack-stands and not my cradle (long story) but i've heard cracks can appear in the front if improperly blocked.  I am not close to the boat at the moment so cant check tightness of keel bolts.

Thoughts based on your collective wisdom and extensive experience will be most welcome...thanks in advance.

[KWKloeber]

What you're looking at there, "appears" to be fairing that is loose / peeling / breaking off (separated from) the substrate (keel and keel buss -- or stub -- of the hull.)    It may or may not be caused by a CTY "smile" underneath -- which is separation of the actual keel/buss joint, or the joint degrading/disintegrating because CTY bedded the keel with polyester resin in the joint -- which attracts water and attacks the polyester (i.e., is hydrophilic).  Same cause as blisters that develop under the gelcoat pf a hull.

The first step would be to get that junk off and see exactly what's going on underneath it at the joint faces of the keel and stub.


kk

[Geoffreykwright]

Thanks.  I will do as you suggest...given its only on the port-side (starboard is completely seamless) is it possible its only cosmetic (i.e. grind off and replace sealant)?  I would think if the keel were starting to separate then cracking would be visible on both sides of the keel?

[KWKloeber]

Thanks.  I will do as you suggest...given its only on the port-side (starboard is completely seamless) is it possible its only cosmetic (i.e. grind off and replace sealant)?  I would think if the keel were starting to separate then cracking would be visible on both sides of the keel?

Yah nevah know until you know.  .

My C-30 smile was about 12" on stbd side -- not at the leading edge -- but in the forward 1/3rd.  When I got into it, the joint was 1/2 deteriorated and so off came the fin keel to repair / rebed / refair it.  What probably happens, is if one side or the other is first to get attacked -- that's where continuing attack occurs.  At least that sounds reasonable.  LOL

kk

[Paulus]

Geoffrey, you are right, if the boat is not properly blocked, it will lead to cracks. Saw this happen to a friend's boat.  They also get a lot of wind in that area.
Paul
PS:  Ken, what is the name and location of your shop?

[KWKloeber]

Geoffrey, you are right, if the boat is not properly blocked, it will lead to cracks. Saw this happen to a friend's boat.  They also get a lot of wind in that area.
Paul
PS:  Ken, what is the name and location of your shop?

Paul


"shop"?  I'm a nomad.  LOL
One never knows whether I am in NC or NY ---- or somewhere in between.   It's like virtual reality. 
But my email and txt are always on my belt.

ken