Keel joint rust?

[Liunatic]

So we looked at a 1991 Beneteau today (38s5) that for other reasons we are not going to consider buying, but am curious about this, what looks like rust at the keel/hull joint. My question is would this cause concern if you were looking to spend the $70,000 asking price? I,as a total newbie to sailing, saw that and it raised a red flag in my mind.

[sabray]

That would cause me concern too. Could be a simple fix but water weeping out that joint would make me step back.


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[Kenomac]

We had this issue ourselves on a prior Hunter purchase. Not really a deal breaker as long as you and your broker insist on getting it in writing as part of the purchase agreement that the seller agrees to have a surveyor investigate the cause of the staining, and the seller agrees to make the proper repair and pay for it at a reputable yard.

You might even come out ahead on the deal, because the staining is enough to scare away most other buyers. Be sure to have your broker hold back at least $3000 until the repair is done, or refuse to close on the deal until then.

[sabray]

What was the repair that your surveyor wrote off on?


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[Kenomac]

Originally Posted by sabray

What was the repair that your surveyor wrote off on?

On our Hunter, the staining was caused by a keel bolt failure with salt water intrusion; an expensive repair which the seller made good. The boat turned out to be a great deal, and following the repair... the keel was better than new.

Personally, if I was the OP, I wouldn't let the staining become a deal breaker.

[Terra Nova]

Some of the Beneteau's had cast iron keels--iron rusts. On those boats, the keel bolts must be replaced at intervals.

It is not possible to troubleshoot from that photo.

[sabray]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Some of the Beneteau's had cast iron keels--iron rusts. On those boats, the keel bolts must be replaced at intervals.



It is not possible to troubleshoot from that photo.

It should not be leaching out like the picture shows . Can't troubleshoot but it is a concern that prior to purchase you should be worried about.


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[nhschneider]

Our boat was 12 years old when we bought it but the original owner's manual was still on board. In the manual was a paragraph about the cast iron, bolt-on keel-to-hull joint and it specifically said to ignore any rust that appears there. The hull was built to Lloyd's 1A specifications and the yard, which is still in business, has a reputation for building premium-quality yachts.

Fair winds and calm seas.

[Liunatic]

Thanks for all the interesting replies. We have now reached the exciting stage of actively looking for the boat we hope to spend the rest of our lives on, and all the beautiful pics and descriptions in the ads seldom show or tell about that weeping keel joint, or the mold inside the head liner, or the 18 inch gouge down the side of the gel coat
So I figure so the trips to see these boats won't be a total waste of our time, we might as well learn what we can along the way. That wasn't the only issue with that particular Bene, but when I saw that stain I was curious, and I happen to know a great online forum where I can get a wide range of facts and opinions about just about everything
Thanks all

[HappyMdRSailor]

As has been mentioned to both extremes (almost).... Could be nothing major... Could be a nightmare... Both remedies would make the repair as good/better than new.... They just range from $500 to $20k+

In all cases with this noted, I would insist on pulling the keel and taking the repair estimate right off the top... Start big, and you have lots of room for negotiating...

[Terra Nova]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

...I would insist on pulling the keel...

Rubbish!

[Horror Hotel]

I 2nd pulling the keel, it's not a big deal really. If the bolts are rusty and need to be changed, any other half assed repair just prolongs the inevitable. If the keel joint is weeping, pull the keel and fix it.

[Terra Nova]

The keel does not have to be removed to change the bolts.

[robert sailor]

Best to pull the boat with the weight on the keel and remove one bolt at a time(or whats needed) and bring a long bar with your torque wrench because you're going to need it when you install the new one.

[HappyMdRSailor]

Originally Posted by Terra Nova

Rubbish!

Just saying what "I personally" would do.... There are hundreds and hundreds of thousands of boats out there with weeping keels that are not compromised in any way from original construction.... Chances are it's nothing or simple... BUT.... I am not the "Carnac the Magnificent" and I would want to know what my keelbolts look like between the keel and the stub.... Just me I guess....