Aluminium sailboat with a leaking keel

[Paul Grogan]

I have a 1986 whisstocks ketch .
The keel has been incapsulated !.welded closed.
The keel leeks water and is reacting with the lead shot .to save the vessel I will cut out some repaired patches and dry out and remove the lead .
My question is what’s the best way to coat the inside to stop water ingress please.
Any one in a similar situation .my advice is never over patch !.it just traps water.

 

[bajansailor]

Welcome to the Forum Paul.

I presume that your boat is currently ashore in Trinidad, and water is leaking out?
Or is she in the water, and water is currently leaking in?
If she is out of the water, do you have any photos that you can post of the keel to show what condition it is in?
Re the lead shot in the keel, is it just 'loose', or was it cast in place in resin?
I would agree generally re 'patching' - it is much better generally to cut out the affected area and weld in a new section of plate, rather than welding a patch over the top.

 

[gonzo]

I don't think you can succesfully weld aluminum if there is lead behind it. The lead will melt and mix with the aluminum.