I have thanks to a piece of Canadian shield as I threaded my way into my winter quarters, a nice sized hole in the leading edge of my wing keels wing. Will freshly melted lead bond onto existing or should I just fill in with filler and epoxy ?
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Klean Keel
Why not just cut the winglets off ?? They don't do anthing anyway. Unless the boat is in perfect trim (winglet's wise) the winglets are either pushing or pulling the water and thus creating drag. Your don't see winglets on any of the new boats. RD
Why not just cut the winglets off ?? They don't do anthing anyway. Unless the boat is in perfect trim (winglet's wise) the winglets are either pushing or pulling the water and thus creating drag. Your don't see winglets on any of the new boats. RD
HAMMER!!
I tried melting lesd into voids in my Hunter 33's superbly (NOT) molded keel. Couldn't get it to work, but I was probably missing something. It's hard to actually knock a piece of lead out of the keel, so I'm assuming material was just pushed aside. Lead is extremely maleable. With a little patience and technique you can move the material back in place with a hammer. If nothing else it could be great therapy.
I tried melting lesd into voids in my Hunter 33's superbly (NOT) molded keel. Couldn't get it to work, but I was probably missing something. It's hard to actually knock a piece of lead out of the keel, so I'm assuming material was just pushed aside. Lead is extremely maleable. With a little patience and technique you can move the material back in place with a hammer. If nothing else it could be great therapy.
Sam -
I was motoring through Fisher's Island Sound off CT this summer when I was introduced to a large submerged rock. I dove on the keel and found that a small section at the bottom of the keel had flattened out due to the impact. When I haul the boat in a couple of weeks I'll get a better look. Your thought about hammering it out, Is that really possible?
I was motoring through Fisher's Island Sound off CT this summer when I was introduced to a large submerged rock. I dove on the keel and found that a small section at the bottom of the keel had flattened out due to the impact. When I haul the boat in a couple of weeks I'll get a better look. Your thought about hammering it out, Is that really possible?
Absolutely
It will undoubtedly take some time and patience. but is certainly doable. I would start out with a 16 oz. ball peen hammer. Depending on the extent of the damage I might go a little bit bigger just to move / persuade the metal. (I can't believe I'm expounding on hammers over the internet!) I think heat would be a bad idea. Unlike cast iron, lead tends to drip when warmed too much. Take your time, you should be able to get it back to some sort of reasonable shape.
It will undoubtedly take some time and patience. but is certainly doable. I would start out with a 16 oz. ball peen hammer. Depending on the extent of the damage I might go a little bit bigger just to move / persuade the metal. (I can't believe I'm expounding on hammers over the internet!) I think heat would be a bad idea. Unlike cast iron, lead tends to drip when warmed too much. Take your time, you should be able to get it back to some sort of reasonable shape.
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