Boat Buzz

Hello all,

I will try to grab a picture once i can get a good shot. But going through a few things, i noticed that i have a small crack in the keel on the very end by the where the rudder mounts. It doesn't leak, and best i can tell it's not all the way through.

So question is, is there a way to repair that? If it would require replacement of the entire keel, that would be a massive project as the bottom is 5200. I'm going to guess you can't just pop the keel out without removing/redoing the bottom?

Thanks in advance for any advice!

Well as you mentioned, pictures will help us in offering ideas but until then...

Yeah, the keel on a Sportsman will not easily "pop" out, a major task to say the least. Probably a simple repair depending on the cause of the crack. There is stress on the keel in this area from the rudder turning the boat underway and the grain may have just opened up a bit, assuming there wasn't damage from striking an underwater object. The real cause needs to be investigated as yes, rot can happen here weakening the keel. Sounding with a small pick tapped in and around the area would reveal punky wood if it exists. Even if the keel has some local rot, a new section can be scarfed into the existing sound keel if needed. Might only be a more cosmetic fix such as using a filler or routing the crack to accept a glued in spline.

For sure, will get a picture tonight hopefully. Will be in the garage to pull the engine. Lots of stress on that point, so not shocked.

It appears to be right with the grain, I'll poke it a bit and see if it seems soft.

Alright here are a few photos, hope this helps. I scraped some of the paint away to try and show it better, i'm repainting the bottom anyway this winter.

I like the route it out and glue in a spline idea....there is such fantastic good out there...way stronger than what that requires.
John in Va.

What’s the best glue to use?

chris.nackers wrote: ↑

Thu Nov 12, 2020 9:24 am

What’s the best glue to use?

Is titebond iii acceptable? Or should it be an epoxy?

Epoxy with some filler would be best. Make sure it's cleaned out and dry then mix up some west system epoxy and some 404 filler until its the consistency of peanut butter. Fill the crack completely, let it dry and then sand flat.

maritimeclassics wrote: ↑

Tue Jan 05, 2021 8:27 am

Epoxy with some filler would be best. Make sure it's cleaned out and dry then mix up some west system epoxy and some 404 filler until its the consistency of peanut butter. Fill the crack completely, let it dry and then sand flat.

So instead of routing out and putting a spline, you are saying just fill the crack? (Just to clarify)

You could if you wanted to but the crack is pretty thin and the keel is fastened to the large transom frame with 2 large screws. Then the rudder log is bolted through the keel into a 3/4 inch block of wood that I believe on that boat is fastened to the stringers so there's no worries of structural failure if you just left the crack alone. You mostly want to just fill it so it doesn't get worse from swelling and drying out over time. I would just dig it out a bit, clean it up and fill it.

Ok makes sense, thanks for the input, greatly appreciated!