Keel repair for a 1946 former lifeboat

by Chris
(Shoreham, England)

Hi all,

I bought, without a survey, Salotean, a former lifeboat built from wood by Harland & Wolff in 1946.

She was attached to cruise liners for 10 years, before being turned into a clipper for sailing.

More recently, she was converted into a live aboard boat.

That's why I've bought her.

And she's saved my life, survey or no survey.

She's in the boatyard at Sussex Yacht Club, Shoreham at the moment (October 2021).

Local 'experts' noticed rust spots along the keel and I was advised to strip back the fibreglass coating.

I have done so and water has dripped out of the hull and bilge areas.

What to do next?

Once cleaned up, treated etc, do I replace the fibreglass sheathing to the keel again?

Or do I extend the steel keel, through welding, to either end, before sealing?

I am a novice and apologise if these are stupid questions!

This vessel was bought with my heart, not head.

I understand that was wreckless (excuse the pun).
Which is apt, as my first wife was lost at sea along with five others and neither the boat nor the crew were ever found.

Salotean has squared a 37 year circle for me and I feel happy for the first time - my wife was called Sally.

So, any advice would be appreciated and now I'm able to look forward, I hope, after living on board for a couple of years, be able to save enough to turn her into a clipper again.
Then sail to France and down the Canal du Midi.

Chris