Exploratory Surgery on My Salvage Boat Keel 1976 Pearson 30

[Tim Smith]

If you have ever been curious about the fabrication and structure of the 70's era P30 keel, this post is for you.

Here is Mural of the highlights from exploratory surgery on keel of my 1976 Pearson 30 Keel

https://app.mural.co/t/tedxyouthbst5371/m/tedxyouthbst5371/1635121535229/3071477ecf68aad2b926e21afcb14626cdc38d1f?sender=terret2816

Here is the link to album of photos I took today

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Sfk4UTBHno4vUxSDA

Findings

1)  The aft 24 inches of the keel where I sampled was filled with loose variable sized chopped wood/plywood (scrap coring material?).  The plywood/balsa filling was saturated, much of it mushy with water and the void drained for a long time after it was cut.  The aftmost edge of the wedge section I cut is hollow and was also full of water.

2)   The midpoint and top section of the encapsulated keel below bilge level has a significant void between outer laminate encapsulation and surface of lead keel.  There is no bonding or adhesive to be found in this section which is most of the length of the keel.  Did not cailper layup thickness or void, estimate 1/4 inch layup, 1/8 inch void.

3)  Further toward bottom (estimate last 8/10 inches) of keel there is a transition shelf where an additional estimated 1/8 inch of layup is added. Void is reduced still no bonding to lead.

4)  Further down layup seems bonded to lead and then there is evidence of fairing compound on the thicker layup.  Ran out of time for additional cuts in final transition/strata to bottom of keel.  Looks like layup and fairing with taper to solid lead covered very thin or no layup and paint.

Why am I doing this? First to better understand the boat I sail.  Second,  I have been steadily using or selling salvage components.  I now have a buyer for the lead in the keel and am starting to plan for fiberglass demo by me or others and breakdown and shipment of the keel lead.

As a parting thought.  If you have an area of the P30 that you would like to have cut into and explored let me know.  I have several exploratory goals in mind.  Welcome your wish list.  Also, several great parts still available.  See my prior post for links to list and album.

Stay well. 

[Michael Weeks]

On Oct 24, 2021, at 8:33 PM, Tim Smith <tbsm...@gmail.com> wrote:



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[Michael Weeks]

On Oct 25, 2021, at 12:26 PM, Michael Weeks <mhilto...@gmail.com> wrote:



[Michael Weeks]

Do you have rear rail? I’m a fresh order and I’m just exploring my options for fixing her up.

On Oct 25, 2021, at 12:26 PM, Michael Weeks <mhilto...@gmail.com> wrote:



[Jesse Tane]

Very cool, thanks for sharing. Aligns with my explorations as well.

[Bo Ljungholm]

Thanks for the very practical info and photos. 

My 1978 P-30 has some wet keel issues, as well. When on the hard (about 6 months during off-season) here in Ohio, the keel sometimes “weeps” as water oozes out during warm weather. 

Yes, it’s time (overdue) to check it out.

Fortunately, the keel can also dry out a bit while  exposed to the air.

Cheers

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