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Protecting the keel

C

checkmate stacey

New member
I noticed that the previous Owner of the boat liked to put the bow on the beach alot. Guess you know what happened- gel coat gone and I'm looking at the fiber in the bottom of the boat. I've thought about trying to glass in a wear strip or adhere a protective plate. It might not look to pretty when done but I'm afraid this may have weakened the chime (sp?)Does anyone have experience with doing either or have a recommendation for a product?
 
West System

Stacey, I had the same issue with my Sportsfire. I taped off the area and after sanding and a wipe-down with acetone I applied a slightly thickened epoxy mixture that I had tinted red ( red flake boat). After it cured you had to really look close to even see it. It worked out so well that I also did the whole pad. Just throwin the idea out there, it worked for me.

FYI: wear safety glasses when lying on your back applying epoxy ( don't ask)
 
Thanks for very much for responding and yes I'll get some pics up.

I was thinking of installing a protective/sacrifical layer of epoxy like was mentioned however given that I'm seeing the fiber in some areas I was thinking to reinforce with a chopped strand then gel coat over after addition of another layer of epoxy. Just wasn't sure how to make it look good when done.

The Keel Guard looks like it might work to but I think I still need to fix the keel before installing the guard.

Again thanks for the help guys.

Can't wait to get her cleaned up and on the water.
 
Every boat I have owned has been worn through on the keel so you could see the fiberglass, all the guys I boat with too, never seen any reason to patch it, it doesn't take much to rub the gel off to where you can see the fiberglass, I just added a keel guard to my Eluder and forgot about it.

Thanks for posting this question, it reminded me to add a keel guard to my Dads new boat before it even goes in the water :thumb:
 
Every time I find a good idea for my restore I boomark the the site where the link takes me...as it stands, I think I have a list of bookmarks longer than my boat! This one will definitely be making the list.
 
Have a keel guard on the wife's four winns and I've SLAMMED into/onto the boat lift cross member a couple times (yes, stout people up front, nothing I could do about it :shakehead: ) and it's saved my bow/keel. Took a couple of big chunks out of that keel guard, and that's some heavy duty stuff. I might have to replace it soon. One more hard hit and I'll be through it.
 
Stacey in post # 5 you mentioned that you were going to repair the area of concern using Epoxy and CSM and then re -Gel over the Epoxy which both ideas good be a bad idea because #1 CSM is basically designed to be used with Poly or Vinyl resins alone ,and not recommended to be used with Epoxy resins along with spraying Gel over Epoxy which also is not compatible when used with Epoxy unless a primer is used .Stacey , general rule of thumb is .....you can put Epoxy on Poly or Vinyl just not the other way around and if the gouges are not that serious just surface area why not use a filler that is good above and below the water line or maybe make a Gel Coat putty / filler , made with Cabosil ,and then spray your Gel if need be or want to.
 
Thanks for pointing this out. Since your obvioulsy the expert on this topic, allow me to pic your brain a bit. As you can tell from previous posts, I'm in midst of getting the floor and stringers out. Balsa core looks good so I've dodged a bullet there.
Prior to installing the stringers and floor, my thought was to coat the wood several times with cut epoxy. Once it's soaked I was going to fiberglass encase/wrap the new floor and stringers. Next I was going to glass in the stringers and then glass in the floor. If the CSM is not suitable for use with epoxy- what would you recommend I use?
 
checkmate stacey said:
Thanks for pointing this out. Since your obvioulsy the expert on this topic, allow me to pic your brain a bit. As you can tell from previous posts, I'm in midst of getting the floor and stringers out. Balsa core looks good so I've dodged a bullet there.
Prior to installing the stringers and floor, my thought was to coat the wood several times with cut epoxy. Once it's soaked I was going to fiberglass encase/wrap the new floor and stringers. Next I was going to glass in the stringers and then glass in the floor. If the CSM is not suitable for use with epoxy- what would you recommend I use?
Click to expand...
I personally prefer 17 oz -S or E / Glass, but 17 oz Bi -ax works well, and will fill all the needs for any phase of your project that wont break the bank . Stacey 17 oz Bi - ax wet's out very easily with one down fall and that is ........if not handled properly during layup it can and will somewhat distort .
 
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