Hello,
I am looking to purchase a maramu. Recently I saw a boat, on land, which seemed interesting, but a line of corrosion and casting a slight rust mark the hull - ballast.
The owner tells me to scrape the rust and re-attached with epoxy.
Does this sound safe? or should we be wary of a possible attack of rust on the bolts of the ballast? I fave put a photo on the album.
Before I ask and professional expertise, thank you for your answers.
(sorry for my bad English but I'll do my best)
Regards
Jean-paul

Jean Paul,

Treating the rust is part of owning a boat with a cast iron keel. Personally I would prefer if our Maramu had a lead keel however many fine European boats are built with cast iron keels. The corrosion is typically quite close to the surface. Aside from consuming some time for maintenance, this is not a major concern. Our Maramu was built in 1979 and when we inspected the keel bolts in 2008, we found them to be in amazingly good condition with no sign of any corrosion.

Thanks , Dave, for the quick and interesting answer, Do you know if the bolts of the balast are in inox steel ?
I am also glad to read that your maramu from 1979 is still in good condition.
I am going to see 3 maramus before to decide the one I'll buy.
Best regards
JP

The keel bolts are indeed Stainless steel/inox. They are located at the
bottom of the stub keel inside the large water tank. You can access them
easily in the Maramu by opening the tank-top inspection ports. Don't be
afraid of a little corrosion as the Stainless steel nuts are mounted on
steel flat plate and this area corrodes somewhat but not enough to worry
about it. Take comfort in the fact that Amel employs twice as many keel
bolts that are all 30% larger than what the regulations call for, either the
previous French Merchant Marine standards or the more recent CE
specifications. Also, in thirty years of selling new and used Amel boats,
not one of the more than 400+ used boats I have sold have ever had an issue
with the keel bolts when inspected by the two surveyors I generally employ
of behalf of the buyer and sometimes the seller.



The keel is iron, not steel like on Beneteau and similar boats. Captain Amel
specified iron and not lead because iron is much stronger and more resistant
to damage from groundings and also because an Amel keel is made to be wide
enough to let the boat stand on the keel unaided when drying out or on the
hard. DON'T ever let your Amel stand unsupported just because it can. Always
use appropriate structure and bracing when the boat goes on dry land.
ALWAYS.



If you search under replacing keel coatings in the previous posts, you will
find something I wrote about how to best replace the keel coatings, it was
on 3 July 2007. If you follow these instructions, you will be happy with the
results.



Good luck in the hunt for an Amel that suits you and be sure to have it
surveyed by someone who is extremely familiar with these particular boats.
In Europe I can highly recommend Olivier Beaute who used to run the Amel
service department before branching off on his own.
www.atlanticyachtsurvey.com is his website with contact information.



All the best,

Joel F. Potter





Joel F. Potter - Cruising Yacht Specialist, LLC

Amel's Sole Associate for the Americas

Mailing Address: 401 East Las Olas Boulevard #130-126

Fort Lauderdale, Florida 33301

Phone: (954) 462-5869 Cell: (954) 812-2485

Email: <mailto:jfpottercys@...> jfpottercys@...

<http://www.yachtworld.com/jfpottercys> www.yachtworld.com/jfpottercys

Jean-Paul

I think keel bolts can corrode due to anaerobic corrosion whether the keel is lead or iron. The important thing is the quality of the bolt and the way it is fitted. I am very confident with Amel. Looking at your photo I think the surface rust is normal and correct painting would fix. The stain from the joint should be inspected but it is not unusual on an iron keel. The design of the ballast, being wide and low down on a stub rather than narrow and high aspect is good and reduces stress on the bolts. Your desicion of if it is worth having a keel bolt checked is not easy. Maybe consider the general condition of the boat and your budget and how much you want peace of mind. The advice about a surveyor who knows the sisterships is important.

Good luck. I have recently bought a Maramu and am very happy.
John

Thanks everybody fore those intresting and usefull advices, I have 2 more maramus to visit before to make my decision
Best regards
Jean-Paul