Keel damage, what do you think?

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

New boat owner and I've only had it since April, I am a second owner. I have had her out about 10 times or so and I never noticed this damage. Its in a spot not in plain view and you really have to get up on close.

It looks like the bow hit rocks or something and the crack goes up and down the center of the keel for a good distance. I dont think I hit anything in that area, nor have I hit rocks. I have beached it on a sandy beach a few times, but no noticable strikes at anytime. I have hit a dock or two, probably at about that level, its above the water line.

It looks like a cracked eggshell. I am thinking some serious work needs to be done here? Or do you think its small enough that I could just slap a keelguard on it and go boating?

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/gdelder/Labor Day 09 on the Lake/DSC01977.jpg

http://i101.photobucket.com/albums/m53/gdelder/Labor Day 09 on the Lake/DSC01981.jpg

 

[JaSla74]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

I can't tell that well from the pics, but to me it just looks like you're gelcoat is scratched, which is not that serious. Is it a gouge, or a crack?

If you're going to be beaching your craft then I would definitely consider purchasing a keel guard. If not, then I would not beach her.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

I can't tell that well from the pics, but to me it just looks like you're gelcoat is scratched, which is not that serious. Is it a gouge, or a crack?

If you're going to be beaching your craft then I would definitely consider purchasing a keel guard. If not, then I would not beach her.

It is a crack. I tried to get a fingernail in it, no luck. But at the spot I am pointing there is two almost circular cracks, which look like a point of impact. It looks like a cracked eggshell to me.

 

[88steve]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

If it worries you , you could always put Marine Tex in the crack ,sand and put a Keelshield over it if you beach.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

I wouldn't worry about it, do anything, or put a keel guard on it. In fact, if it's new, better not to cover it for a while and watch it, just in case it's showing something wrong with the hull at that place.
Think of the keel like the front bumper of your car. Through use, it will get a couple of dings while it's doing its job.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

I think I will take it to a boat hull body guy at my nearby dealer, but sounds like I can wait until the end of the season. Thanks guys.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

I can't really get a good look at it, Could that have been a crack from before that was filled in and cracked again, does it look like it was worked on before you owned her or new? Let us know what you find out. Just curious.

 

[Mark42]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

Normally I wouldn't worry about a hairline crack in the gel coat.. But over the years there have been Tahoe owners here who had serious structural failures of their boats. The failures started to show as cracks in the gel. So keep a close eye on it. Best to measure and record the length and location (starts x inches from bow rail, ends y inches from bow rail, is z inches long) If it gets any bigger, have it checked out by a professional marine surveyor.

This thread about a Tahoe will make for interesting reading, if not make for a sleepless night:

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=235489

 

[lilcane88]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

i think your okay. my 84 glastron has 5 deep chips out of the keel and the paint is gone from about 1ft below the U ring (or whatever you call it where you hook your trailer winch to) all the way down to about midways of the bottom of the hull. and its about 6 inches wide. *knock on wood* not a single drop of water taken on SO FAR..

 

[This_lil_fishy]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

It's an unusual place, that's typically a pretty strong location on the hull. Can't tell, but looks like a deep gouge that's been repaired (gel coat) in the pics. Keep an eye on it for the season then have her inspected. If it grows or spreads, take her off the water and have it inspect asap....before using a again.

Ian

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

I can't really get a good look at it, Could that have been a crack from before that was filled in and cracked again, does it look like it was worked on before you owned her or new? Let us know what you find out. Just curious.

No, it doesn't look like it was worked on befors. I looked for clues or signs that work was done, I couldnt find anything.

 

[WAVENBYE2]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

Let us know what you find out, feedback is always good. Hope it's not too serious for ya. I am sure we are all curious to hear what they say.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

if it weren't for that read that mark42 posted up i wouldn't worry about it. but since i read that thread a long time ago. it's always stuck
in my mind. i did go look at the link, but didn't have too. i knew which one he post up...
after that read, i'd think ya'd want to keep a close eye on it..

 

[jkust]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

I would want to keep an eye on that before covering it. Reading the ordeal with that Tahoe link above makes me glad I didn't buy one.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

<<<I think I will take it to a boat hull body guy at my nearby dealer>>>

You could take it there for an opinion of whether it is a telltale of something worse, but please don't take it there for repair!

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

<<<I think I will take it to a boat hull body guy at my nearby dealer>>>

You could take it there for an opinion of whether it is a telltale of something worse, but please don't take it there for repair!

Home Cookin, I guess I dont get it, why not? Is there a better option I should consider? I am not in a large commuity so I am kinda limited here, so where would be a better option? thx.

 

[TahoeQ4Pilot]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

if it weren't for that read that mark42 posted up i wouldn't worry about it. but since i read that thread a long time ago. it's always stuck in my mind. i did go look at the link, but didn't have too. i knew which one he post up...
after that read, i'd think ya'd want to keep a close eye on it..

I saw the stringer problem with the Tahoe that Mark linked to before I bought the boat, I was very concerned about that. So when I looked the boat over I was looking in those areas, as I have often. No indication on this one of a similar problem and other than general concern about quality, I am not sure it is a widespread problem with Tahoes, at least according to the iBoats Tahoe archives.

This appears to be caused my some sort of impact, either recently or in the past. These Tahoes seem to be victims of porposing (mine did/does) and I hit wakes hard sometimes. Maybe it was damaged and then repaired, and I did something to further it. Either way I will be keeping a close eye on it and take it in for a professional to look at the seasons end. Unless something changes, as suggested.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

Because it's just a scratch on the bottom of your boat. At most touch it up yourself with marine tex, although the consensus here is to leave it alone and watch it. If a rock chipped the paint off your leaf spring under your car, would you go to a body shop to have it repaired?

You can't damage the boat from hitting a wake or porpoising. It's what they are made to do.

Relax.

 

[krakatoa]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

There is no worries just keep boating my friend... Have Fun!

 

[109jb]

Re: Keel damage, what do you think?

You can't damage the boat from hitting a wake or porpoising. It's what they are made to do.

Oh Really?????

http://videos.streetfire.net/video/FreezeFrameedit_93111.htm

Granted this video shows race boats at unreal speeds, but you CAN damage even a small pleasure boat if you take a wake the wrong way.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UEETjztLqI