Keel Gap

[sreznikoff]

My 2003 Sun Oddessy 35 has a small 1/4 inch gap at the front of the keel where it joins with the boat. This gap extends backwards about 3 inches.

My broker told me not to worry, there was no water coming in at the end of the season when I had it hauled and this is normal for boats with keels held by keel bolts when they are hauled.

Is this true?

Steve Reznikoff
S/V Mist Direction
[e-mail]

[MartyB]

Are you buying? or selling? IE brokers comments.......

If buying, then more than likely the boat was grounded at some point in time. That is the only way/reason I can think of for the keel to seperate. I know of one local Arcadia like mine that had a similar keel problem, along with a recent event with an older mid 60's Pearson. If buying, I would look into this a bit deeper, as the fix's if mahor are not cheap.

If selling, then get ready for the your boat has been grounded speil, and wanting $$$$ off the price to fix, or be prepared to fix yourself.

Marty

[toneill]

When I purchased my sun legende i had the same problem, and I'm sure it was a hard grounding. The most aft rib above the end of the keel was cracked( as to be expected of a hard grounding). I jacked the boat on stands so the keel hung cleaned out the gap, put a jack between the coach roof, and the cracked rib and pushed the rib back in place fiberglassed it (sandwiched the rib between 2 pieces of white oak, and bolted through first) and then 5200 the opening at the keel, it seems to have worked very well.

Tom

s/v Evangeline
SL 41

[sreznikoff]

I'm neither buying or selling. I'm getting ready to go back in the water in 7 weeks.

My former broker told me this was common with keels held on with keel bolts when they were lifted with a travel lift and since water wasn't coming in, I could do nothing.

But I might want to seal the small gap with caulk - don't use 5200 or 4200 though

Steve