I need your help. I have to repair the keel joint on my Hunter 31. It has some cracking and I want to dig out the old epoxy and put new in. There is where I need some advise. 1) Best way to dig out the old and how much into the good stuff to dig. 2) I assume West Systems Epoxy but what filler 3) Should I apply VC tar then the VC bottom paint? I have VC on the bottom now, but the barrier coat I am not sure if is VC tar or other. Thanks I have a few months to think about it but I would like to get the process started in my head so I can just get it doen in the spring. Keith
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Why has the joint
opened? If your intention is to simply fill the joint, then a caulk suitable for use below the waterline is called for. This chunk of lead is going to move until you find out why it has moved and correct that.
opened? If your intention is to simply fill the joint, then a caulk suitable for use below the waterline is called for. This chunk of lead is going to move until you find out why it has moved and correct that.
Kidding...
not really but her is what you may want to do. I assume your getting water into the void area of your keel. Since your in Michigan City the water has frozen and creaked the fiberglass. Now your keel leak. That is ok it is a Hunter and therefore suppose to leak. I got the Marine System Fiberglass Repair & Maintenance manual. They deal with small void only (not too many sailboat builder have large void in the keel like Hunter used too. NOTE they don't do that anymore). On page 56 they drill holes into the small void and fill it epoxy/406 filler. YOU CAN'T FILL TO MUCH AT ONE TIME. It generates to much heat. I think filling the entire void would change the dynamics of the boat. Instead just fill the bottom and hope it stops the leak. Take the bottom paint off and epoxy cost the keel (at least 5 coat) and then bottom paint. NEVER USE VC-17!!! It is for real racers and not worth the problems. You might want to check the bilge for leaks too. The boat has to have been in the water for a couple of months first. The easiest way is to spray scrubbing bubbles on the bottom of the bilge make sure you remove any standing water first. You will see the water coming in moving the foam. Good Luck and Best Wishes, Waf
not really but her is what you may want to do. I assume your getting water into the void area of your keel. Since your in Michigan City the water has frozen and creaked the fiberglass. Now your keel leak. That is ok it is a Hunter and therefore suppose to leak. I got the Marine System Fiberglass Repair & Maintenance manual. They deal with small void only (not too many sailboat builder have large void in the keel like Hunter used too. NOTE they don't do that anymore). On page 56 they drill holes into the small void and fill it epoxy/406 filler. YOU CAN'T FILL TO MUCH AT ONE TIME. It generates to much heat. I think filling the entire void would change the dynamics of the boat. Instead just fill the bottom and hope it stops the leak. Take the bottom paint off and epoxy cost the keel (at least 5 coat) and then bottom paint. NEVER USE VC-17!!! It is for real racers and not worth the problems. You might want to check the bilge for leaks too. The boat has to have been in the water for a couple of months first. The easiest way is to spray scrubbing bubbles on the bottom of the bilge make sure you remove any standing water first. You will see the water coming in moving the foam. Good Luck and Best Wishes, Waf
The easiest way
to cure this problem is to encapsulate the ballast in fiberglass and epoxy. Wrapping the glass under the keel and onto the glass of the hull five or six inches. Unidirectional cloth is the way to go. Just get every thing dry, grind away the gelcoat where you will attach the glass and remove all of the rust that is showing. It will be a two person job but completely do able in one weekend.
to cure this problem is to encapsulate the ballast in fiberglass and epoxy. Wrapping the glass under the keel and onto the glass of the hull five or six inches. Unidirectional cloth is the way to go. Just get every thing dry, grind away the gelcoat where you will attach the glass and remove all of the rust that is showing. It will be a two person job but completely do able in one weekend.
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