keelson problem leaks

[jennyo]

I Own A 1964 Cris Craft 24 Foot Runabout That Has A Leak Under Runner Post.it Appears That Wood Is Soft And Rotted Under
Post.what Whould Be The Procedure To Repair This.
Does The Whole Keelson Have To Be Replaced Since
It Runs From Stem To Transom.
I Do Not Want To Spend Too Much Money On A Boat That
Is 45 Years Old.overall Condition Of Boat Is Good Except For This Problem. Thanks For Any Advice.


Jennyo

 

[Ned L]

Re: keelson problem leaks

How bad is the wood? Some pictures would help out a lot. You don't say what model C.C. you have, so I can only gove some general ideas. I am presuming this is a plywood boat (or at least plywood bottom). If this is the case, and if the wood is soft to the point that something does need to be done, and if the surrounding wood (plywood bottom) is all sound, that boat should be small enough (& therefore stiff enough) that a new piece of keel (couple of feet) could scarfed in. I'm not going to say it is an easy job, but it is not that difficult for someone accustom to this sort of work. The bottom plank of the transom would need to be removed to slide out the old section & slide in the new. A 12:1 glued scarf would be plenty strong (resorcinol glue would be best). I believe there is no separate keelson (really a keel batten in a small boat) in this C.C.. You shold be looking at the top of the keel w/ the rabbet cut into it.
If things are quite soft around the rudder post I would not even consider any sort of a "soak it with epoxy or Git-Rot" type of fix. There is a lot of lateral force applied to the rudder stock in a tight turn & you don't need the rudder ripping out of the bottom.