what to do about a deteriorating keel

[traktorgenius]

a friend an I recently bought a santana 22, and the keel is not in the best of shape, besides all the rust, there are chunks falling off around the base. some people we have talked to say we should fill the chunks with weld (its a cast iron fixed keel) others say to fill it with epoxy. does anyone have any ideas? anything will help.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: what to do about a deteriorating keel

Welcome to iBoats . . .

Santana 22 sailboat (right?) I had a Catalina 22 and refurbished the keel. Epoxy fairing would be the way to go. Welding would apply if there were some specific repair issues with the keel, such as the attaching points, if it is a fin or wing keel.

Post some pictures if you can.

Here is a link to my web site on the restoration of my Catalina 22 iron keel (500 lbs). It is a swing keel, but I believe your is a fin keel of about 1200 lbs. Addressing general rust and deterioration would be similar.

Swing Keel

Before . . .

After . . .