Keel Repair

[CApTaInGoOfy]

Ok so I've been searching the internet and this forum as well as many other forums for the past 72 hours. Have learned a lot in regards to keel repair, keel guards, gel coats, fiberglass, etc. Now I am just wondering what would be the best fit for me. I went out to the boat and took some pictures of the keel and the hull that need to be addressed. I am debating between Marine Tex and a gel coat repair kit.

Mod EDIT: CaptGoof, iboats is an online retailer and carries gelcoat repair kits. Please dont post their competitors names and links in the free forum they provide.​

Some spots on the keel it seems to me just the gel coat is chipped/gouged and the fiberglass weave is exposed. The areas do not exceed 1"x1". Some places are as small as 0.3cm x 0.5cm as well. See Pics:
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr

 

[jbcurt00]

The 1st pix you posted shows a pretty ugly beaching scar. Its not thru the fiberglass weave? It sure looks like it on my droid....

 

[Woodonglass]

based on what I see you'll need resin and glass to make it right

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

The 1st pix you posted shows a pretty ugly beaching scar. Its not thru the fiberglass weave? It sure looks like it on my droid....

that's what I've been told by some guys that came and looked at it. I am not well versed in regards to boat fiberglass repair. You give me any classic vw from type I to type IV and I will whip it out in my sleep.
Thanks for your input I appreciate, iboats has helped me immensely, so I thought I would post it up here after searching through the forums about how to repair it.

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

based on what I see you'll need resin and glass to make it right

I was hoping it wouldn't come to that as that would mean I would join the "dry dock club".... been doing great with fluke fishing thus far... was hoping for a "quick patch" but if that means more structural problems than I might just have to grab my ankles and smile....

 

[Scott Danforth]

there is no quick patch for that gash

everything you need to know is in link 14. I suggest you go thru the whole thing http://forums.iboats.com/forum/boat-...at-information

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

Do you guys think some PB resin mixed up would patch these areas?

 

[ondarvr]

Do you guys think some PB resin mixed up would patch these areas?

Almost, but no.

​The keel pic shows a deep gouge and possibly a couple air bubbles in the laminate, and there's no way to tell from here how thick the glass is behind those spots, so I'd at least glass those. Some of the other spots look to have been beaten up pretty good, there may be damage under the gel coat we can't see, so more investigation is needed.

 

[bassmanhb]

cap, i just did this on my ranger bass boat.... trust me if i can do it you can too ! its not hard just time consuming... get the resin and glass and get started once you grind it down and you will have it done in no time

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

Alright been dragging my feet...I'll go and get the resin/glass and start grinding away

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

1.5oz CSM or 1708 to patch the length of the keel? Looks like I have to order the stuff as I can't seem to find anyone local here in South Jersey that has unwaxed poly resin for a reasonable price.

 

[Woodonglass]

Did you call any auto body shops. They use it for the fiberglass car bodies. They might be able to give you a supplier or supply enuf for your needs. You'll only need about 1/2 gallon and 1 yard of each glass products.

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

So got around to sanding down the keel area that has been damaged down to the fiberglass, was easier than I thought. So far I put 2 layers of 1.5oz CSM so far for a total of 3oz of CSM. Do you guys think I should glass in 1708 as well? Does anyone have a tip on how much MEKP to mix in? I noticed today that when I first pour in the resin it is blue and as it starts to "kick" it turns from blue to a yellow to light brown. It was pretty sunny today as well so that had to contribute to the speed of the resin to "kick"

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

Did you call any auto body shops. They use it for the fiberglass car bodies. They might be able to give you a supplier or supply enuf for your needs. You'll only need about 1/2 gallon and 1 yard of each glass products.

I did and they told me all they had was waxed poly resin or finish wax poly resin. Asked around and was told there was a fiberglass supplier locally here in NJ called Barnegat Light Fiberglass Supply, wasn't to bad of a ride there either, Rt 70 to Rt 72 to Rt 539 and was there. Picked up a gallon of resin, a yard of 1.5oz CSM, and a yard of 1708. Forgot to pick up cabosil so might have to take another ride up tomorrow but 10lbs of cabosil seems like a lot for someone like me...
The Marine putty from 3M or Bondo, is it sufficient to use to smooth things out on top of the CSM.

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

Some pictures of today's adventure!
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr
Untitled by Jae Cha, on Flickr

 

[CApTaInGoOfy]

Now on to paint picked up some rustoleum topside paint. Not gonna be pretty but it's a fishing boat don't really care about the way it looks as long as it is safe.

 

[Woodonglass]

I'd HIGHLY recommend to ad Acrylic Enamel Hardener to the paint. It DOES make a LOT of difference in the appearance and overall quality of the paint job.