Anyone run into swing keel fittings not seating completely? Boat had fitting installed upside down (pin below the boat) so the counter bore would provide relief for the weldments that protrude slightly from the fiberglass. Installing the fitting right side up would cause them to touch the weldment before seating to the fiberglass.
Swing Keel Fittings
- Thread starter pcharn01
- Start date
I called CD Tech line. They weren’t able to offer any suggestions. I’m going grind hanger pads down to clean fiberglass then build new pad surface with thickened epoxy. New hanger fittings will provide a true and solid ‘mold’ when bolted on place while epoxy cures. Challenge will be to get a good release.
Be very careful not to get epoxy on the hanger bolts, if you do you can glue them in pretty solidly. Make sure to us wax, oil or some type of mold release on everything you want to be removable. I find modeling clay or plumbers putty can make an effective dam to keep epoxy away from screws and threads while bedding rifle stocks. Good luck Dano
My adventures with the same here: The Many Stages of Keel Bracket Assembly (a photo retrospective) Part 1,2 and 3
Yea! That’s what I’m thinking. Have you taken apart since 2019? Any regrets or would have done differently? Any issues with centering the keel in the trunk when full down? Did you install keel spacers on fed end of the keel?
Have had zero reason to revisit since installed — rock solid and wouldn’t change a thing. PITA but worth it — like others I shimmed the pin with 1/8 Delrin and used homemade spacers for the head of the keel —no-centering issues , I dry fit the head spacers carefully — just snug but not tight
added some pics for the spacers-- you can see the primer rub: white to bare glass. Each side custom depth for the gap.
added some pics for the spacers-- you can see the primer rub: white to bare glass. Each side custom depth for the gap.
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Ground out the gel oat, found some voids and loose polyester. New hanger fitting were cleaned up, polished and waxed this mold release. West 105, 206, 404 mixed to fat free peanut butter consistency. Bolted up fittings, centered, and set flush to bottom of boat + 1/4 turn on the nuts. Letting cure for 3 days before attempting to pop the fittings out.
Looking good — what’s your ambient temps? 24 hours should be plenty— I hope that 404 doesn’t cause you any grief — it may be a bear to sand in tight places. No doubt it will be stronger than the boat 
It’s in a temp controlled shop. Fittings are about 75F. It will be fun to clean up. But at least got it glued up and didn’t epoxy falling on me.
Fittings popped right out. Now to mill the fittings for the correct clearance to the keel.
