Here is a topic that will no doubt spark many opinions. I've stripped my keel to the iron. Yes once she was out the angle grinder applied, there was no stopping. Seems the entire keel had been compromised, leaving only a scant few inches on the side I thought was "good" untouched by rust. "I'll save this section," I kept telling myself with no luck. If I tapped it and it moved, it came off. I did keep all the edges and major piece in case I want to use some of the bits for templates or even "re-use" backed with some new glass cloth and resin.
That being said, the keel is clean now. All the molded and formed bits removed and all the surface rust removed (or most of it, don't be the guy that tells me the iron starts oxidizing seconds after ground clean, I get that) I've got all the major "cancer" off the keel.
So here is my question. Why "re-form" it at all? Why not grind it clean, navy jelly it and paint it with oil based anti rusting or bottom paint and put it back in. I mean I understand I'm going to get a bit more drag, but the basic shape is there. I've used less well formed keels in smaller boats. I mean maybe add the leading and tailing edge and some cloth. I don't want it to rattle around in the trunk so I would reform the area where it attaches. Can I make my own version? Does it have to follow spec? I have all the drawings, I get it. But, what happens to performance? Would it even be noticeable? I mean the PO apparently sailed it with big chunks missing.
Has anyone ever done this? What's your experiences? I see a lot of "not so aerodynamic / hydrodynamic" keel designs out there. At worst, sail the season and see what happens. I can't believe it would affect performance to the point of making the boat "un sailable." Thought?
That being said, the keel is clean now. All the molded and formed bits removed and all the surface rust removed (or most of it, don't be the guy that tells me the iron starts oxidizing seconds after ground clean, I get that) I've got all the major "cancer" off the keel.
So here is my question. Why "re-form" it at all? Why not grind it clean, navy jelly it and paint it with oil based anti rusting or bottom paint and put it back in. I mean I understand I'm going to get a bit more drag, but the basic shape is there. I've used less well formed keels in smaller boats. I mean maybe add the leading and tailing edge and some cloth. I don't want it to rattle around in the trunk so I would reform the area where it attaches. Can I make my own version? Does it have to follow spec? I have all the drawings, I get it. But, what happens to performance? Would it even be noticeable? I mean the PO apparently sailed it with big chunks missing.
Has anyone ever done this? What's your experiences? I see a lot of "not so aerodynamic / hydrodynamic" keel designs out there. At worst, sail the season and see what happens. I can't believe it would affect performance to the point of making the boat "un sailable." Thought?
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