[C38] Keel Stub Wood Removal?

[Les]

On Fri, 2007-09-14 at 18:26 -0400, David L Ryan wrote:
> I've been trying to further research this fix without too much  
> success. Perhaps you all can help.
> 
> Is procedure recommended for all Catalina 38s, or is it only  
> recommended when a boat exhibits symptoms?
> 
> If so, what are the symptoms? The "catalina smile"? Others?
> 
> Who has had the fix done to their boat? Has anyone done it  
> themselves? Any advice or cautions? Did the procedure correct the  
> problem?
> 
> Thanks!
> 
> -David
It seems to me that I have seen a conversation or article on this.  Did
you check the website?  
I seem to remember that someone said they had "hogged out the keel stub
wood" and replaced it with all fiberglass.  As to the Catalina smile,
that seems independent (unless you have a large gap instead of a crack)
of the keel stub wood issue.  If the keel stub wood gets dry rotted,
then the keel will begin to droop and you can certainly see that during
the haul-out while the boat is in the slings, or at least I would expect
that to be the case.  Remember that the keel on our boats weighs about 4
tons, and is held up only by the bolts through the keel stub when the
boat is in the slings.  However, the yard could probably advise you on
this.  You can bet they won't want to do that job unless it is really
necessary.  They have to pull the keel clear of the boat, cut out the
fiberglass in the bottom of the bilge (including the nice little place
even with the aft of the head bulkhead), then hog out the wood with
something like an adz, then discuss with you the replacement options
(more wood, metal, fiberglass, etc.) and the pros and cons of each then
do the actual repair.  My guess would be a full week of work at a
minimum, probably with two or three guys most of the time, several
lifts, the issues with realignment of the keel studs and holes for them
in the repaired area, re-mounting the keel and fiberglass, gel-coat,
paint, and bottom paint.

	I just checked the messages I have archived and couldn't find any
reference to this job.

Regards,
Les H