Keel damage/repair/guard

[dvan1901]

The keel on my boat is rubbed down, nearly to the fiberglass, in about a 6" area from the previous owner beaching it. There doesn't appear to be a hole, yet, but from inside the ski locker I can see light coming through. How do I go about fixing that and is it better to put a keel guard on? I don't really beach the boat much, based on the lake I am on, but may when I go to other lakes. Thanks in advance.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Keel damage/repair/guard

I am concerned that light is able to penetrate your hull. That area may be a defect in the original hull's layup. I think you should have some additional cloth and resin over that spot. A "Keel Guard" is really just for looks,and does not add strength.

I recommend you rough up the fiberglass9it must be bone dry) with course sandpaper on the inside of the thin area, overlapping onto the thicker areas. Wipe the area with acetone and let it dry. Now cut at least two layers of heavy roving cloth to match the roughed up area. Now paint the roughed up area with some catalysed (polyester resin is OK) Resin, and lay one layer of roving over it and saturate the cloth with a brush and more resin. Repeat with a second layer, and let cure.

 

[Saskatoon2005]

Re: Keel damage/repair/guard

What should he do to the outside of the weakened area on the keel?

 

[ondarvr]

Re: Keel damage/repair/guard

Just because you can see light through it doesn't mean anything is wrong, it's very common to see light through a hull. You said it was almost down to the glass, I take this as there is still some gel coat on the keel. If there is some gel coat left you can just go over it with a keel gaurd type product. If there is no gel coat and the glass is worn down, then you can either repair it from the inside or the out side, both will work. The inside can be easier if you can get to the area without a lot of work because you don't need to worry about cosmetics. If you don't beach the boat then a keel gaurd won't be of much value, but if you do beach it, a keel gaurd is well worth the money.

Polyester resin will work fine, but always use mat as the first layer or it won't bond well.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: Keel damage/repair/guard

I think I can get to it fairly easy, it's in the ski locker and I can pretty much fit in there. I was thinking of putting a keel guard on because when I do take the boat to other lakes I will beach it. I primarily boat on Allatoona which isn't really condusive to beaching in a lot of areas.