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Swing Keel Maint Question – I know...

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luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/10/2002 : 14:40:23

Everyone gets so sick of swing keel stuff. Mine makes me nervous but I feel that it's in good shape, it doesn't knock or have any telltale probs. I actually keep mine up while I'm not there based on a structural engineer's opinion thats at my dock after he looked at mine and the catalina diagrams. He said that there is less strain in the components in this configuration. Who knows?!

Anyway...I digress. My question (s):
After diving and looking at the keel this year, I'm a little concerned with the corrosion. It looks like a million little bumps of rust all over the keel. One: how much damage is this causing? Two: when i pull her next year (no services or trailers around here, so it's a huge hassle to pull out!), how do I go about removing and repairing? Three: Is there anything I can do in the future to prevent this?

Thanks!

Patrick Burnet, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/10/2002 : 15:47:09

Well, I had a response all typed out and something froze-up between here and there - so here's an abbreviated version.
I really don't think you have anything to worry about structurally now or a year from now.
I cleaned-up mine with a 4.5" grinder and wire wheel (wish I'd had the blasting pot that I own now.) 5 coats of Interlux System 2000. No new rust except where it touched bottom.
Remember, metal starts oxidizing as soon as you're done cleaning it . . .

Edited by - oJ on 07/10/2002 15:47:40

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Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2002 : 22:35:39

If you're worried about structural problems from rust on the keel I'd say "forget it". I put a couple of zincs on my swing keel (with specially hardened drill bits and tapping screw) and I can say that it's about four inches of solid steel. A few little rust spots isn't going to hurt it a bit. Now, you may have some fairing compound on top of the steel that may be at risk, but that's life in the SK fleet!

In the future--stay in fresh water, the SK is not recommended in salt. Add a zinc to reduce corrosion. Put on a good quality bottom paint. My marina recommended a zinc oxide primer underneath. You may need to replace some fairing compound. The ultimate treatment (speaking as one who has NOT tried this) is to remove the keel, strip it down to metal, add fairing, primer, and paint (or is it primer, fairing, and paint).

Good luck,
Bruce Baker
"Yee Ha!" 3573

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luckystar
Navigator

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USA
236 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2002 : 02:02:34

Thanks guys! A little peace of mind is great. She needs a bottom job any way but I've been trying to decide just how far to take it. I'm a bit of a perfectionist and love my boat, but good enough will be good enough. She's always been in fresh water, I replaced the cable when I bought her and it still looks great, my fingernail polish that I put on the Swage before installing is still there and hasn't budged and that's after two years in the water. For a twenty year old boat, she's doing just fine. Thanks again for the advice, perspective and reassurance!

<img src="http://www.proxycreative.com/clients/luckystar/luckystar_0602_sm.jpg" border=0>

Patrick Burnet, Little Rock, AR
S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2002 : 09:31:02

Patrick,
Very nice looking boat.

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Sidurian
1st Mate

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USA
27 Posts

Response Posted - 07/17/2002 : 13:53:23

At the expense of sounding redundant, nice looking boat. Also, and more to the point, the zinc oxide primer helps tremendously. You may want to know that on my swing keel was encapsulated with a 1/8 inch vinyl (plastic?) covering that had blistered/partially peeled off. I got rid of all of it (ground it down without taking it off), etc., etc., applied the Interlux fairing compound as well, and slapped three coats of bottom paint on it for good measure.

By the way, and this falls under the fwiw category, a previous owner had drilled out the U-joint (where the cable attached) so that the 'new' improved one from CD didn't fit since it was too small.

There's always something!

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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.