Keel repair

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Hawk4661

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Jan 25, 2008
176
Hunter 25 -
When I pulled my boat out last time, the keel was drug on the ramp for several feet. There is also a ding on top where the wing nut was not tightened securely by me. Novice mistake I trust.!
The bottom of keel fiberglass is now missing and top has a chip out of it.
The bottom is about five inches long,one half an inche deep, and about another one half an inche wide. I got a two part repair kit from auto zone for fiberglass patching...?
I want to make certain more than anything for it to be water proof when finished.
Is there any advise for someone who has never done any fiberglass repair?
TYIA...mark<><
 
T

TimCup

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Jan 30, 2008
304
Catalina 22 St. Pete
Mark, I'm not sure if I understand-

Are you sure it wasn't the rudder that was dragged on the concrete?

If it WAS the keel, I think you need a different trailor!;);)


cup

By way of repair, the top chip could easily be fixed with marine-tex- much easier to work with, and easier to sand. As far as the bottom scrape, at 1/2 inch deep, it's not much to worry about. You can take the fiberglass resin mixture and fill the scrape. When it sets, it'll be waterproof, and save hours of work, particularly since you have no experience. Otherwise, you need to grind the bottom to give the new glass a good surface to bind to , then fair it, gelcoat, etc. IMHO, not worth it for scrape...
 
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mudtertel

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Nov 10, 2008
47
Hunter 25.5 Ossining
I just redid my keel , but it's a cast iron one .I stripped it down ( hammer and chisle) ground it down to bare metal. Then applied two coats of Epiglass, after that I applied six coats of Interlux 2000E, Then two coats of bottom paint.
You can use Epiglass after doing some grinding with 30 grit paper, then apply the Interlux 2000E , at least 5 coats. Hope that works for you. What ever you do , don't use bondo
 
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Hawk4661

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Jan 25, 2008
176
Hunter 25 -
My bad guys .Its wasnt my keel but the rudder problem. I do have a swing keel( which TG raised before docking), but the rudder wing nut wasnt properly tightened down causing the rudder to drag.
I did find an easy repair that I have done today.it sanded down like new after drying for just a few minutes using the two part epoxy.
Ty guys for advise....
 
George H260

George H260

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Aug 11, 2006
1,446
Hunter H260 Traverse City
Damage to kick up rudder is common. You typically only do it once or twice. Easily fixed as you have discovered.

These rudders have a foam core so watch for cracks and dings that allow water to compromise the rudder. I keep mine out of the water when not sailing.
 
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