In this publication7 photos · 1 video
When I lifted the boat for cleaning in September, I saw rust at the keel-to-hull joint. My heart sank: that couldn’t be good. Thoughts raced through my head, including selling this yacht I’d spent more time fixing than sailing.
Once calmer, I approached the only expert I know and trust: @AlexMemfis. His consultation cost €100. After studying the photos and video, he sympathised and said this was precisely why lifting a boat to inspect the hull before purchase mattered. I’d been unlucky. First, he suggested asking the previous owner what he knew. So I did.
Erik replied that he knew about the problem, but it hadn’t looked as serious before. He’d filled those areas with epoxy, which apparently proved too rigid and cracked. He suggested grinding away the corrosion, filling with epoxy, then applying a flexible sealant such as Sikaflex.
@AlexMemfis agreed with Erik, but suggested asking the marina for a quote and declining if it exceeded €1,000–1,500. He also said corroded keel bolts would need replacing.
When laying up the boat for winter, I asked the DavidWerft team and explained all my concerns. A week later, they invoiced €1,210, which I paid straight away. The photos show the rust marks, their removal and the sealed repair.
#maintenance
Once calmer, I approached the only expert I know and trust: @AlexMemfis. His consultation cost €100. After studying the photos and video, he sympathised and said this was precisely why lifting a boat to inspect the hull before purchase mattered. I’d been unlucky. First, he suggested asking the previous owner what he knew. So I did.
Erik replied that he knew about the problem, but it hadn’t looked as serious before. He’d filled those areas with epoxy, which apparently proved too rigid and cracked. He suggested grinding away the corrosion, filling with epoxy, then applying a flexible sealant such as Sikaflex.
@AlexMemfis agreed with Erik, but suggested asking the marina for a quote and declining if it exceeded €1,000–1,500. He also said corroded keel bolts would need replacing.
When laying up the boat for winter, I asked the DavidWerft team and explained all my concerns. A week later, they invoiced €1,210, which I paid straight away. The photos show the rust marks, their removal and the sealed repair.
#maintenance
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