Breaking Wavesvideo

A CRACK in our KEEL?!?! - Ep.38 S3

April 20, 2021 · 15 min · 23K views

What this video covers

During a scheduled haul-out, the owners of the sailboat Kiana discover a "Catalina smile"—a separation between the keel and the hull caused by loose keel bolts. To repair the crack, they grind away the damaged fiberglass and paint to reach bare metal, tighten the keel bolts, clean out moisture, fill the gap with epoxy, and fair the area flush. During the same yard period, the crew replaces an old speed and depth sensor with a DST-800 multi-sensor. To install the new, larger transducer sleeve, they use a hole saw with a pilot bit centered in the existing through-hull hole to ensure alignment. They also address a sheared-off bolt where the zinc anode attaches, requiring them to re-tap the hole. The project concludes with bottom painting and general maintenance. The repair of a keel-to-hull separation requires tightening the keel bolts before sealing and fairing the joint to prevent further water intrusion.

Watch on YouTube

More from Breaking Waves

THE FINAL Passage! | Sailing New Caledonia to New ZealandJul 2025Boatlife - From Sea To Fire| INSANE ACTIVE VOLCANO Trek and Our Final Sail from VanuatuApr 2025OFFGRID In the Jungle: A Primitive Community ExperienceMar 2025THE TRUTH UNCOVERED | What Sailing Is ACTUALLY Like In The Remote Corners Of the Pacific OceanMar 2025

From Breaking Waves — see the channel’s boat, crew, and every analyzed video.

The Sailing Directory Newsletter

One email with the fleet's best finds — the moments, boats, and stories worth your watch time. Enter your own address to get your own copy.

Report an issue