Covered keel bolts and chain plates - is there a problem?

[sonoski]

Hi,

This is my first post here and I wasn't able to find any similar posts here.

My 1984 27 Jeanneau Fantasia - the keel bolts are fiberglassed over and so are the chainplates.  I've search the internet but have not found any problems or concerns regarding the keel, keel bolts or the chainplates.  

Can anyone comment on this?  I'm used to regularly checking the keel bolts and the chainplates but they're permanently covered over and there is no way to check on them.

Thanks,
Paul 

[MalcolmP]

Welcome to the forum.

Jeanneau for many years would put a "flow coat" over the keel bolts - this is a gel coat with wax filler, they stopped doing it around the mid 2000's. There has been some discussions on the pros and cons on this over the years, most recently in this thread: jeanneau.proboards.com/thread/4280/pictures-brings-mind But as you have found (or not) from your internet searches there does not seem to be significant structural concerns with coating, other than if the bilges have been left wet then some peeling/then corrosion of the nuts and backing plates can be expected.

Not aware of any adverse reports on chainplates either - maybe no news is good news as well

It may be more informative to look at the outside of the boat, IE when hauled out does the keel to hull joint look all good with no sign of weeping or movement? This can happen for example after hard grounding etc.  Similarly with chainplates, if on deck they look like they have not shifted or have needed copious amounts of sealant (plus say evidence of any water leaks through to the inside) then most likely all is well.

[mollybrown]

Hi Paul. I know your post is older. However, my husband I just bought a 1983 Fantasia 27 fixer-upper. She was very neglected below deck. As we get to know our boat, I'd be happy to share what we learn on this forum. I'm going to search this owners forum for more Fantasia threads. Unlike our prior experience with a 1980 Catalina 38', we are having trouble finding repair details for the Fantasia, and it's going to be crucial for us to network with other Fantasia owners. 

Regarding the keel bolts and chain plates: For now, I'm going to assume that everything on our boat is fine for now. Unfortunately, the bilge itself is very different than anything I've seen before - it's shallow and hard to get dry (until we replace the lexan deadlights/windows). After purchasing, we pulled up the floor/sole boards and found water in every segment between stringers - almost as if there was no way for the water to drain into any low spot where a pump and float switch should have been. I had to hand-pump the water out and dump buckets of dirty water overboard. We'll need to dry it out and then scrub every inch with bleach and water. Is there a real bilge compartment somewhere in the centerboard area (under the salon table where the centerboard crank is)?

[solduc]

Mollybrown if you're on facebook there is a great small group of Fantasia owners - a majority of them British/European - they have some great discussions of various things Fantasia.  One member of that group also has a YouTube channel where he videoed his restoration efforts - very thorough!  He is easy to get in touch with through the FB group - I've asked him plenty of questions!

I too am restoring a Fantasia - 1986 model here in Georgia (Atlanta area - Lake Lanier).  The windows are a priority (have to find someone to make them!), repainting that black stripe (ugly!), restriping, waxing exterior, tore off all the vinyl headliner that was sagging and replacing with something else, the list goes on and on!  From my experience, not too many helpful channels for Fantasia parts (from Jeanneau) and any part you try to replace is a treasure hunt (which can be fun).  I replaced the seal on my front hatch - had to order the seal material from the Netherlands!  BUT - we love this boat!!

The only bilge pump is behind the inboard motor on mine.  Anything forward is "supposedly" pumped through use of the large tube (enters bilge forward of the nav station) with the hand pump in the head.  Get those windows sealed (I have a tarp over mine currently) and that should dry it up