Keel Crane has cracks

[John Wolfe]

I noticed that our keel crane has a large crack on one side and a hairline crack on the other side.

Should I be worried about this? 

If so, what is the best method for fixing?

Thanks!

[Steve Shaw]

100% you should be concerned.  The fix would be to have it plated on the outsides with an extra layer of aluminum.  At least an inch or two on either side of the crack and anywhere from 1/8 to 1/4” thick.

[Travis Gregory]

The board is looking into fabrication options. Hope to have a replacement builder for this part shortly.  It might be a tad pricey....we'll see.

[John Wolfe]

Thanks Steve and Travis.  The plate idea is sounding good to me right now. 

[John Wolfe]

Good news.  I took the crane to a fabricator in town and it turns out the lines were not cracks, but rather deep scratches in the paint. 

This was confirmed by sanding a bit of the paint off to reveal the underlying aluminum.

[Mark Bostrom]

I want to Carbon that unit so badly.  I’m weak, it’s heavy and awkward. 

Seriously, carbon masts are allowed yet the underpinning Aluminum mast base and keel crane unit are aluminum.  I guess there are no minimum weights for individual components of the boat in the class rules, just the boat itself.  So I could do carbon and take all the sand bags off for phrf days. 

[Gregg Henning]

You can do anything you want for PHRF, but for the class is aluminum.