I think there was Trad 30 a thread here late last year. Never sailed one, but have sailed against plenty. Good seaworthy boats that sail well.

Traditional 30s have cast iron keels.

I've always liked the design/layout of the Traditional 30 and most Cole designed yachts in general. The cast iron keel is a worry for me, as I have read some concerning reports on keeping them maintained and that cast iron corrodes from the inside out. From what I have read the only reason cast iron was used rather than lead was to save initial building costs?

r13 said..
Of course there are many web articles on cast iron and lead keels, and their pros and cons. CI is cheaper that is a given. Maybe your comments re corrode from inside out come from this article?

www.practical-sailor.com/blog/iron-versus-lead-in-keels

This article presents other information.

corsicamarinesurveys.com/keels.html#:~:text=Iron%20Benefits%3A,Much%20stronger%20than%20lead.&text=Iron%20keels%20have%20the%20advantage,not%20chip%20away%20during%20impacts.

I have owned and maintained numerous yachts with CI keels and never had a problem - keeping up the CI primer and undercoat and antifouling on them is the key - it is not difficult. These yachts include a Van de Stadt Black Soo, Hood 20, Santana 22 (2 off), Compass 750 (2 off), Farr727, Columbia22, Whiting 26.

Yes, the first article refers to Graphitic Corrosion in cast iron. Evidently, the durability depends on the quality of the original casting and the composition of the metal used.

The second article argues that it makes sense to use cast iron if you are BUILDING a new boat as a cost benefit.
For example, the current cost of scrap lead is $1.85kg, scrap iron is 10 cents per kg. So the cost of material for a keel for the Traditional 30 at 1682kg in lead would be around $3,000. Compared to cast iron at $168. Quite a difference!

The boats that you have listed above as ones that you have owned appear to be mainly trailer sailers, in which case cast iron is the logical choice. In keel boats, lead seems to be most preferable for a variety of reasons.

Thanks Ramona, wasn't certain about the lead keel on Traditionals...obvious if you think about it as they had a different builder to the Nantucket.

Sure if we are going to look into all the future problems of a cast iron keel - whether fixed keel or trailer sailer - which are not properly cared for then this post will become extensive. See here a good article on refurbishing a CI keel.

www.boatsnews.com/story/20344/my-keels-rusting-what-can-i-do

TS have been designed and built with both CI and lead keels. So the term "logical choice" is probably effusive - it depends on the designers choice.