Keel on a series one 45

[Bertramp]

Are keels on series one 45s solid glass or a core of some kind ?
Are they a product of the actual mold or a glass addition to the the hull from the mold ?
My thought is that the hull is one solid block ... but I need to dispute a comment in a marina from someone that I thought was very knowledgable ..... thanks

 

[Genesis]

On the Series 2 its a hollow box inside.

Go in the engine room and see if there's a plug in the floor. If so, open it and voila - the inside of the keel.

 

[34Hatt]

Steve

Your's should be built same as mine since the years are close. Keel is part of the mold then foam is added then they glass over the top inside.

 

[Bertramp]

The plot thickens ..... apparently, I have/had some water in the keel of my 1970 45C. It didn't get there from the outside, so the thought/theory is that over the years, water in bilge has worked its way into the keel. The marina drilled a small hole on the outside and apparently got a gush of very foul smelling water. We're going to do a good plug to fill the hole, but have any of you had this problem ? If the hull to keel leak can't be found (we aint pullin' any engines or tanks) I'm thinking to live with it and/or rig a pump that will have access and I can flip the switch every so often.
Thoughts, prior experience, comments please ... thanks

 

[34Hatt]

Steve

I drilled a few holes from the inside of mine just to check for this. I found only a small trace of water and the foam was dry. So I glassed it all back in.

You could add a drain plug to the keel in the back worst case and keep it out over the winter which is the only time this could do damage!

 

[Bertramp]

Mine too is filled with foam. We're letting it sit for a few days and putting a drain plug in over the weekend ... splash on Monday. Later than anticipated, but the drain plug will be open each winter and whatever water might find a way in there will be drained out.
I gotta think that in 30 somethin' years, most boats of our vintage have picked up some water and/or at least moisture down there.
My boat's on a diet .... now if I could only drop weight that easily !!