P31-2 Keel Repair

[Pbf00t]

Hello All,

I have a '89 P31-2, a fresh water boat since new.  While getting ready to throw on a new coat of VC17 I noticed a couple blisters with cracks on the starboard side of my keel, there is also a section of raised areas on the forward portion on the port side.  See attached photos.  For reference, that raised, cracked area is about an inch and a quarter long.

I'm looking for general advice on repair, I've read everything I can find on various sailing forums about lead keel repair, but most of what i find is about repairing grounding damage or fixing rust on cast iron keels.

Thanks in advance

-Jeff

[Michael Trant]

Jeff:

 

I have a 1988 31-2 and my keel was in worse shape.  I ground out the areas that were blistered, cracked or loose until I got  a good solid surface.  I then used Interlux VC Watertight 2 part epoxy fairing compound.  Since I am not so good at body work it usually takes me 2 or three applications to get it faired in perfectly.  This stuff has held up for years for me.  I have also used Marine Tex epoxy on some spots. 

 

Mike

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[Jeff Rogers]

Well,  I ended up sanding the keel down, grinding out the cracks with a Dremel and fairing with Watertight.   After that I added four coats of 2000E and then the bottom paint.  I found it a little difficult to get a smooth application of the 2000E, I think I'd use a different roller next time.  The foam roller I used left a bit of a texture behind.

While I was at it, I did pretty much the same thing to the rudder which ended up being a good thing.  While sanding the paint off, a few inches of gelcoat chipped off the leading edge of the rudder, revleaing voids in the original lay-up, I filled them with Epoxy, then covered the rudder with four coats of 2000E and bottom paint.

We shall see how it all looks in the Fall.

-Jeff