Keel repair

[burtonrider11]

This topic goes along with Keith's "beaching" topic a bit. The photos attached our of the hull of our 1997 Starcraft 2010SS. The keel was like this when we bought it, hence buying it on the cheap. The previous owner(s) obviously didn't have any issues with repeatedly beaching this boat

I would like some input and advice on repairing this. I have looked at Marine Tex and some "gels". I do not expect to color match this perfectly, and cosmetics is not my concern. My concern is making sure there is no water intrusion into the fiberglass itself. I have done the "knock" test on the hull and everything sounds fine, but I thought this would be a good time to get this patched up to avoid any potential future problems.

The area itself is about 18" long and maybe 1.5-3" high. There are some other nicks and dings I will take care of as well. I would appreciate any advice on materials and method that work best. I have you tubed some videos on gelcoat repair and though time consuming and tedious it doesn't like something I couldn't do.....

 

[burtonrider11]

No Title

Here is a second photo from the port side, more of an underneath view....

 

[fhhuber]

Just through the gel coat and not through the glass anywhere?
Build up to replace lost fiberglass ( so you have material that can be scraped off without creating a leak... just like the previous owner accomplished)

Sand appx 8 inch wide so the patch will stick.

Add a couple of layers of 2 oz cloth (about 2 inch wide centered and 4 inch wide, centered over that) then 1/2 oz cloth on top about 5 inch wide. (for smoother surface and less filling)
Better to build up a little more than was lost than not enough.

Then mix resin with microballoons (probably the white glass ones for easiest hiding) and fill/smooth the surface and sand it smooth.

Paint/gel coat to match. You can tape off and paint just waterline down a different color and it will look good...

***********

An alternative is take it in and have a keel guard of spray bedliner applied... Costs appx $180 at the local boat dealer. Hides the scar, builds up replacing lost material and they do all the work.

*********************

If its gone through to wood... you need MORE glass work and should consult a boat hull repair specialist.

 

[keith2k455]

I'm following your repair here. Your damage doesn't look that severe, but I definitely agree with doing whatever possible to avoid that type of damage. If you do any type of paint or bedliner material, I'd recommend going with white. I always think boats with the bottom half painted black or green or something are hiding an excessive amount of structural damage.

 

[burtonrider11]

Just through the gel coat and not through the glass anywhere?
Build up to replace lost fiberglass ( so you have material that can be scraped off without creating a leak... just like the previous owner accomplished)

Sand appx 8 inch wide so the patch will stick.

Add a couple of layers of 2 oz cloth (about 2 inch wide centered and 4 inch wide, centered over that) then 1/2 oz cloth on top about 5 inch wide. (for smoother surface and less filling)
Better to build up a little more than was lost than not enough.

Then mix resin with microballoons (probably the white glass ones for easiest hiding) and fill/smooth the surface and sand it smooth.

Paint/gel coat to match. You can tape off and paint just waterline down a different color and it will look good...

***********

An alternative is take it in and have a keel guard of spray bedliner applied... Costs appx $180 at the local boat dealer. Hides the scar, builds up replacing lost material and they do all the work.

*********************

If its gone through to wood... you need MORE glass work and should consult a boat hull repair specialist.

Thanks! I'll have to take a really close look at things before proceeding. However, it does not appear that it is thru to the wood anywhere, just thru the gel coat. That's why I am wondering if I can just re-gel coat it. I'll take a closer look at it today.

I have not noted any water intrusion when we go boating, so I don't believe we have a leak of any kind....

 

[gm280]

Thanks! I'll have to take a really close look at things before proceeding. However, it does not appear that it is thru to the wood anywhere, just thru the gel coat. That's why I am wondering if I can just re-gel coat it. I'll take a closer look at it today.

I have not noted any water intrusion when we go boating, so I don't believe we have a leak of any kind....

burtonier, if there is presently no leaks or wood showing, I would simple re Gel Coat and feather in the new to old Gel Coat and happy boating again. However, If you do plan on beaching it some more, I would build it up more. JMHO!

 

[burtonrider11]

burtonier, if there is presently no leaks or wood showing, I would simple re Gel Coat and feather in the new to old Gel Coat and happy boating again. However, If you do plan on beaching it some more, I would build it up more. JMHO!

No beaching for us! That was all from previous ownership We typically tie up off shore in Lake Michigan in 3-4 feet of water. If we do beach it, it will be 1-2 times per year tops.....Any recommendations on a product to use?

 

[JASinIL2006]

I'd probably just coat it with gel. Maybe add one of these if you're going to be doing any beaching: http://www.iboats.com/7-Keelshield/dm/cart_id.575644929--session_id.494559869--view_id.246729

 

[gm280]

No beaching for us! That was all from previous ownership We typically tie up off shore in Lake Michigan in 3-4 feet of water. If we do beach it, it will be 1-2 times per year tops.....Any recommendations on a product to use?

burtonier, if you are doing the work yourself, try US Composites for the Gel Coat and colors. It won't take much to do that small area. Prep the area for the Gel Coat and then applied a few coats and sand down until you feather the two finishes together. That should work out well. Make certain you wipe off all the waxes, oils and whatever is presently there now before Gel Coating. The key to making it look nice is to sand a larger area then the repair actually needs, and then you can feather the finishes together easier. And then polish the entire area after the Gel cures and you sanded them together. It should be fairly easy. JMHO

 

[GA_Boater]

Along with the Keelshield JASinIL2006 linked, iboats also carries a full line of fiberglass and gelcoat products. And you can save 5% simply by being a forum member.

 

[eavega]

If you are going to install a keelshield, forget the new gelcoat. If you don't have any penetrations of the fiberglass, rough the surface up, install a keelshield and call it done. Best part of the keelshield is that you can get a color match to your present hull, so it will even look good.

Rgds

E

 

[burtonrider11]

If you are going to install a keelshield, forget the new gelcoat. If you don't have any penetrations of the fiberglass, rough the surface up, install a keelshield and call it done. Best part of the keelshield is that you can get a color match to your present hull, so it will even look good.

Rgds

E

Not sure if we'll do the Keelguard or not. Even if I add one eventually, I'll still do the repair. It will forever bother knowing that it's there even if I can't see it

Thinking I may repair it this year and add a keel guard next year if we find our selves in areas where we may want to beach it....

 

[burtonrider11]

I did double check this morning with a very up close view of the affected area. Thankfully, not wood is showing and the fiberglass that is exposed appears to be in reasonably good shape. I don't think it will take much to get this area repaired and looking great again. I appreciate all the input!