steel keel repair

Hi,
Betty and I are the new happy owners of a CM 30 Mk 2.  Its in fairly decent shape, the worst thing is the keel.  Having no experience with steel keels I am grinding it down and epoxy patch the holes, then expoxy paint.  I am replacing the keel bolts, and also looking for any ideas or experiences with how to make them water tight I am old enough to remember how how to caulk ( or cork as the watermen say) with a fiber substance in between wood slats, but don't remember the material.  Also previous owner had used silicone around keel to hull, there has got to be a better way.

Any ideas, shipmates?

David n Betty McDonald
Pegasus 2
Upper Cheasapeake Bay

Welcome to this forum!!  Like yourself, I also sail the Chesapeake launching out of the Middle River area (Wilson Point Park boat ramp). I have a CM26 and did the grind down of the cast iron keel and epoxy patch route myself.
  Luckily, I didn't need to do any other sealing work so I'm no help to you in that department but there's many more experienced sailors on here who will be more than happy to steer you in the right direction!!
  terry s

Welcome!

I used to work on boats professionally. We always used 3M's 5200 on hull to keel seams. Silicone doesn't hold up under water.

As far as the rusty keel, I used a rust converting primer that would convert the rust to a paintable iron surface. I used a stiff wire brush to knock off most of the rust, then I used to primer which turned all the rust black and then faired the keel with thickened epoxy. After I had a faired surface I coated the keel with about 6-7 layers of epoxy as a barrier coat and then painted it. It has never rusted since.

Good luck.

Hi mates,
Terry,can't wait to meet up with you. We can trade notes on Clippers. Diggs,I am currently fairingout keel
With a long strand expoxy body mix and really forcing it in the holes on some of them. Actually, Betty did most if the finish work,she's not only a great mother but also a great "mudder". How long did u wait between epoxy primer coats? Do u have a recommended product?
Hope to post some pix soon

I used West System epoxy and I put on at least 6 coats. It wasn't the cheapest route but it has been very effective. Time between coats depends on the conditions, humidity and temperature, but I use the "thumb" test. The key is to not let the epoxy cure completely or you will need to sand before the next coat. You also don't want to put the next coat on too soon or you will just get a sloppy mess. So the "thumb" test is to press your thumb onto the surface at regular intervals, sooner if you are working in warmer temperatures, and see if you can put a thumb print into the epoxy without any coming off onto your skin. That is the perfect point to put on the next coat and have them chemically bond to each other.

After the final coat cured, I very lightly sanded it with a 220 grit and painted it, making sure that I didn't sand through to metal.

Good luck!

Here are some pix of my work on the keel

Oops.   Wonder where I uploaded the pics?   Kinda like the feeling I have when I notice Im not holding the job halyard

So far - I really like what you've done!!
terry s

well, here it is almost exactly 4 months later and the Pegasus is in the water.  I still haven't figured oyut how to upload my pix yet but I am going to.  Looking forward to seeing tlsallada on the briney and I want to thank Diggs for his advice on the West system.

couple of pictures more to come

https://pegasus2clippermarine30.shutterfly.com/

Nice looking clipper, Same color combo i want to do on our 32.

I finished a full bottom job hull and keel this year including sand blasting, filling, epoxy barrier coat (interlux 2000) 6 coats and vc 17 bottom paint. I had to build a new rudder as well due to water damage. I have a 1977 CM30 MKll or 9.3. Not sure if I can post a pic or not. My boat is in the "discovery 9.3 or in between model" post. The one sailing with burgundy Bimini.

Very nice.   What engine configuration do you have?

I have an outboard in a well at the back end of the cockpit. How about yourself?

That is a great place for the power plant.  Mine is diesel.

Gary          There a 1976 30' clipper on eBay in CA.  Auction number 391021991575
my 23 is at Lake Havasu, AZ now.  Rich