Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Hi all, I have the fin keel 1987. Is the keel steel, cast iron or lead? Did they still use the plywood liner between the keel and hull? And, what is the "smile"? Thanks Jay
Jay South County RI Cat 25 SR/FK/Trad #5645 Wind Dancer
Lead, encapsulated in a thick layer of fibrous material I never identified, covered by a coat of resin. I suspect the thickness was to replicate the profile of the cast iron keel of earlier years, since the lead was much denser and the overall weight was the same. Another difference in yours is the stainless steel studs (like bolts) and nuts holding it to your hull, compared to earlier vintages with mild steel keel bolts.
I can't attest to whether plywood is in the base of your vintage's keel trunk--it probably is. The "smile" is a crack that appears on the forward edge of the joint between the ballasted keel and the molded "keel stub" on the hull--maybe 10" below the bottom of the hull. It is not a threat to the integrity of the boat, and can be sealed. For a boat with an encapslulated lead keel that winters in northern climes, I'd suggest, as part of repairing the "smile", making a hole at the base of the keel allow water to exit (for a few months), and then filling it. The point is to prevent ice from damaging the keel.
That said, my '85 didn't have the "smile" while I owned her.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Dave, thanks. One thing, i'm putting an auto bilge pump in the boat. If there is a keel stub, can I use a screw to hold the pump? I was thinking of 1/2 inch. Jay
Jay South County RI Cat 25 SR/FK/Trad #5645 Wind Dancer
I hate suggesting anyone drill holes in the hull below the waterline... How about a few dollops of caulk (other than 5200)? The pump won't be going anywhere down there.
Dave Bristle Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired), Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.