keel protection

[swcejk2002]

Hello gang.....I have a 83ish Bayliner Explorer. I had some pretty nasty cracks along the 'Bottom' part of the keel. I have cut the bottom part out, re-glassed, but....I REALLY like the idea of having something along the keel for protection. In my mind:

* I would take a piece of stainless steel (maybe 18 gauge), It would be about 3inches wide and 3 inches high (it will be bent ((2 90's)) channel like ((but not yet!)), but angled like the keel). I would grind both surfaces (to roughen it up to accomodate the fiberglass later)......I would then bend the steel on a break (the 2 90's). I could then spray paint (rust olum) just the inner portion.....I would then use fiberglass resin and slop it all over the steel AND the keel portion that it will cover.....clamp and giver her a day to harden...

* I could then again use some resin and cover the steel lightly and feather it up nicely.....I would then apply the final coat of Marine coat 'Below water line' paint......on the resin and where the steel is.....THOUGHTS?

 

[Bondo]

Re: keel protection

Ayuh,... SSteel offers No bennefit to a composite lay-up....

You'd get Waaaaaay more protection from a strip of Kevlar, epoxied on...

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: keel protection

"83ish Bayliner Explorer" ???? you are not sure?

SS will not work....... I bet a nice keel guard will work and be much cheaper....... unless you are designing and building an ice breaker.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: keel protection

Bondo has it right!! THEN put the Keel Guard on the Bob suggested.
I'm curious, What caused all the damage to the keel??

 

[swcejk2002]

Re: keel protection

thanks all.....83ish boat, shes old and the tank was stamped 82 the hull number reflects 82, but Bayliner reports 83, I wouldguess she was built in late 82 and Bayliner refers to her as 83, who knows, irrelevant, shes old.

I bought he for $400, I would gues some one ran her aground and scraped her pretty good.

I like the idea of kevlar......Thanks all

 

[Yacht Dr.]

Re: keel protection

I had some pretty nasty cracks along the 'Bottom' part of the keel. I have cut the bottom part out, re-glassed....THOUGHTS?

What did you Cut out ??

Can you get some pics for us please..

YD.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: keel protection

The "cut it out" part kind of scares me, but a keel-guard type product will work well, the SS strip will be a fiasco.