No need to overthink or overdo this. You've already done the critical part by having the bolts re-torqued.
Here's a link to pics of Touche's "smile" taken in 1999. Fixed in 1999 and has never reappeared. The bolts were torqued and the fi was as described below. http://www.cncphotoalbum.com/doityourself/smile/index.htm (Thanks to Stu. Send him some $$) The fix was simple. First, dig out any crumbly stuff in the crack itself. A pointy can opener/punch will work. Suspect you won't find much. Fill any gaps with chopped glass and epoxy or just use "kitty hair" vinylester. Search Evercoat Kitty Hair. There are several equivalent substitutes. Bondo makes one you might find at an auto parts store. Sand/shape the repair to conform to the keel. Apply 3 layers of 4 inch biaxial tape with vinylester resin or epoxy in an overlapping pattern. Sand, fair and paint. Go sailing. -- Dennis C. Touche' 35-1 #83 Mandeville, LA On Mon, Dec 29, 2025 at 2:24 PM Peter W. via CnC-List <[email protected]> wrote: > Hi to all, > This pic is of my 30-2’s leading edge of keel — early 90s vintage. Since > 2003, boat has spent 6 months or so in the yard each season. > Since 2003, the boat has never been in a collision of any kind - bottom, > pier, another vessel— nothing. > So, is the (inevitable) “smile”? > As an initial remedy, I have instructed the yard to re-torque the keel > bolts (never done since new). I’m hoping this solves problem. > That said, Can anyone share the experience of “dropping” the keel and > re-bedding the joint? > Thanks and HNY!! > Pete W. > Siren Song > >
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