Keel repair

[dwayne13628]

I need to re glass the bottom of the keel. In order to get the damaged fiber glass, damaged by mositure getting underneth it. Can I just cut it away, and reseal and form with fiber glass?

 

[Before the Bell]

What type of keel do you have? Is it lead or cast iron covered by fiberglass? Or is it a fiberglass swing keel? Sounds as if you have a delaminated keel. If your boat is several years old, the fiberglass tends to liquefy (osmosis) and separate. I repaired a delaminated hull in two sections. You need to dig out all separated sections and glass with cloth. But all depends on the type of keel you have. Seek professional advice.

 

[dwayne13628]

Lead Keel

The Keel is lead, with fiberglass on top. What I thought was a damaged keel is actually incorrect. Now it does have some water damaged fiberglass just aft of the lead, actualy where the joint is, so I will repair that as best I can, and reglass it. Now, its only the tip of the keel and the high moisture count goes up about 6". My plan is to remove the damaged glass, then reseal it, and shape the fiberglass to match the contour of the keel, as it was before I removed the delamination. I don't think this is going to be very difficult for me to fix.

 

[Jim]

Backbed your repair with 3M 5200. Glass over and fair. 5200 will flex (think 1800 lbs lead tied to 1'/+/- of fiberglass. Your glass repair may not hold forever,but the 5200 will come damned close.

 

[dwayne13628]

forever is relative

I don't mind having to refix it in a couple of years, or more. All of the wood that we take out of this boat will be replaced with Aluminum....I don't care for wood. I think it will make the boat safer, and more structuraly sound.