Bent Keel

[lunker]

I just purchased a 1972 Pearson 26. I got it at a very low price. It is a project boat. I went through it with a fine tooth comb and found pretty much all the important stuff. Well so I thought. I did not get a survey. For the price it did not seem cost effective. I may have made a mistake there. Some one else pointed out to me on another board who has seen the boat, said it looked like it had a bent keel. I looked at my picture and it does look bent. How does this effect the boat and is it hard to repair. It looks like the bottom of the keel is over towards the starboard side. The boat is currently on the hard. Thanks.

[Dutch Peter]

So it looks like it's bent? Better make sure with a measurement, because the boat might be not set on it's keel straight.

Effect:

If it actually is bent, it will depend on the amount it's off to starboard if you notice anything. In theory your boat will list to starboard and will have the tendency to steer to port. The more bent the stronger this will be.

Repair:

Can not be said. Depends on the reason why it's bent! If the hull is damaged, you'll face quit some repair work!


Good luck,


Peter

[sorenfdk]

I don't know anything about a Pearson 26, but if it's made of GRP and if the keel is made of any kind of metal, then I think it's unlikely that it is bent (it takes quite a load to bend a metal keel!). It is - as Peter says - more likely that the keel is not set on straight. This is not uncommon, even on new boats!

[Robert Gainer]

The keel on the Pearson 26 is in a socket molded into the fiberglass hull and if there is rusting it can force the upper flange of the keel away from the hull just a small bit. This will make the keel look bent. It is just canted to one side. You will not be able to bend the keel without damaging the hull significantly. It is made of cast iron. A more important thing to look at is the rudder. It had a hollow alumumion shaft that would wear; also the Delran bearings will wear. They need to be checked on a frequent basis.

[lunker]

Ok, I went a looked at it today. I can't believe I missed seeing it. It is not really bent. It is at a slight angle. The boat has been on stands for 18 to 24 months. It looks like the stand may have settled and the weight of the boat has flexed the hull a little. I can see a crack in the compound that seals the keel. The bottom is about 5 inches off to the starboard. The owner offered to refund my money if I am not happy. He doesn't think it should affect performance to much. I am leaning toward agreeing. I got the boat really cheap and I am not going to do any ocean crossings. opinions?
Thanks

I'd think you would want to make sure you can fix it; if the bottom is off 5" to one side it it could cause the boat to steer poorly under power by causing a slight list. You would want to check the attachment of the keel carefully as well as making sure the thing is lined up with the boats centerline.
But it is unlikely to affect steering or anyhting else while under sail except that on one tack you'll have more righting moment(sort of like a canting keel!) and on the other tack slightly less.

[Dutch Peter]

Originally Posted by lunker

Ok, I went a looked at it today. I can't believe I missed seeing it. It is not really bent. It is at a slight angle. The boat has been on stands for 18 to 24 months. It looks like the stand may have settled and the weight of the boat has flexed the hull a little. I can see a crack in the compound that seals the keel. The bottom is about 5 inches off to the starboard. The owner offered to refund my money if I am not happy. He doesn't think it should affect performance to much. I am leaning toward agreeing. I got the boat really cheap and I am not going to do any ocean crossings. opinions?
Thanks

I think you should take the boat, add some more compound around the keel and put it in the water. The hull will flex back, I don't think it'll give any big problems.
To be sure you should check the inside, if that's alright, I 'd take the boat.


Good luck,


Peter

[sorenfdk]

I forgot to mention this earlier, but are you sure tke keel is "only" bent? Because if it's twisted too, then it'll certainly affect performance.

[lunker]

I measured it yester day. It is just under 3 inches to the starboard. It looked farther off because the boat is not on the stands straight. I can not find any cracks in the bildge. I have read that this model boat does have a little movement in the keel. If it does not straighten out I get to learn how to repair it. One of the reasons I bought this boat is to learn how to fix a boat up. Better to do it on a $2400 boat than a more expensive one.

[Dutch Peter]

Go for it Lunker,

And when it does fall of, we'll be advising on how to glue it back on.

Enjoy!!!!