Messages

1

Steering System, Hull Structure / Re: Best way to repair rust spots on my cast iron keel.

« on: June 01, 2020, 09:21:38 PM »

Well, generally when I get hauled every year and come spring to do bottom painting my entire keel is one 2200lbs of rust. I put a wire brush on my drill and get the rust off before bottom paint... alternatively I guess you can scrape and grind down to bare metal and fair it out with fairing compound and epoxy coat it then bottom paint but not too sure if anyone actually does that unless they're racing and want to get everything slick.... As for the crack....I assume its a hairline crack of the bottom paint....the keels do flex a bit and mine shows the same. In the past I have sealed it up with some 5200 and or fairing compound. Hope that helps. V

2

Steering System, Hull Structure / Keel Nuts/Bolts - P26

« on: June 01, 2020, 09:13:31 PM »

Hi All, I have a P26 1981. I finally broke down to address my keel bolts. Been ok for the last 10 years. But presently the nuts caught some of my attention. Maybe 3 out of the 8 are showing considerable rust,I always maintained them with a coat of rustoleum for protection. Managed to split and chisel off 2 of the nuts.(Yes...I'm on the hard) The bolt studs look surprisingly good showing no rust. I assume the rusted nuts came from water from the topside draining into the bilge (leaking port light). The bilge otherwise, when there is no rain, is completely dry as a bone so this leads me to believe the unseen part of the bolts are sealed well because there is no seepage of water leaking up through from the bottom. Well, then I figured 'while I'm in here with 2 bolts off' lets how well these bolts are bedded into the hull.... MAN....There is no way in the world these bolts are coming out without any major work....they are so solid it leads me to believe they're welded to the keel!!  Is that possible. So.. I think I'm just going to change out the nuts and washers considering :
1.The top viewable parts of the bolts are pristine with no rust
2.There is no apparent movement of the keel at seam where the keel meets the hull and no water seeping up through the keel joint.
3.No way I can hammer the bolts out anyway
4.Seems the keel is bedded better now than it would be if I were to pull it all apart and re-bed it. Another words 'if it ain't broke"

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Vince