Keel Worn To Glass

[MelLandry]

Over the years, a section of my keel has been worn down (beaching) so that now a small portion of the glass is showing. How should I go about repairing this? Should I re-apply the gelcoat over it? Should I use resin? Any other suggestions?

It's not a puncture... just an even wearing of the gelcoat on the keel near the bow.

 

[glennrow]

Re: Keel Worn To Glass

Over the years, a section of my keel has been worn down (beaching) so that now a small portion of the glass is showing. How should I go about repairing this? Should I re-apply the gelcoat over it? Should I use resin? Any other suggestions?

It's not a puncture... just an even wearing of the gelcoat on the keel near the bow.

i would repair the area with resin and if you are planning on more beaching ( and who wouln't ) i would look into a product called "keelshield" to protect future damage. i see it listed in the current overtons catalog. a shield for 21-24 foot boats is $189.99 ( this is not a commercial ). best of luck

 

[MelLandry]

Re: Keel Worn To Glass

Thanks. Sounds like a plan.

Any particular resin suggestions? Any special proceedures to thicken it since it will have to cure upside-down on the keel?

Any help is appreciated!

 

[glennrow]

Re: Keel Worn To Glass

Thanks. Sounds like a plan.

Any particular resin suggestions? Any special proceedures to thicken it since it will have to cure upside-down on the keel?

Any help is appreciated!

the one that i have had the most success sith is "west system" avail at west marine. you can modify the mixture by adding fillers - can add strength, bulk or both. very easy stuff to work with. if you have a westmarine catalog near you, they have a 1/2 page description and instruction about epoxy resins - it is in the maintenance section...they also have a complete user manual & product guide that is free...please let me know if there is anymore info you may require about west system - just so happens the one of the brothers who own the company, docks his boat at my parents house so i have seen first hand all the neat stuff you can do with their product.

 

[MelLandry]

Re: Keel Worn To Glass

Great advice. I don't have a catalog, but I managed to find most of it on their website.

It looks like my best bet would be:

105 Epoxy Resin
206 Slow Hardener
406 Coloidal Silica

Does this sound appropriate to you?

I considered the 404 High Density Filler since it is on the keel and has the potential to impact random objects, but I'm affraid I won't be able to sand it down to the correct shape if it is really that hard.

I also considered the 205 fast hardener, but it is very hot down here (southern Louisiana) and it won't give me much time to work with it.

Does all of this make sense to you in your experienced opinion?

Thanks again for all the help!

 

[neat]

Re: Keel Worn To Glass

If there is no cracks/holes why would he need resin? Just a gel-coat.

 

[glennrow]

Re: Keel Worn To Glass

Great advice. I don't have a catalog, but I managed to find most of it on their website.

It looks like my best bet would be:

105 Epoxy Resin
206 Slow Hardener
406 Coloidal Silica

Does this sound appropriate to you?

I considered the 404 High Density Filler since it is on the keel and has the potential to impact random objects, but I'm affraid I won't be able to sand it down to the correct shape if it is really that hard.

I also considered the 205 fast hardener, but it is very hot down here (southern Louisiana) and it won't give me much time to work with it.

Does all of this make sense to you in your experienced opinion?

Thanks again for all the help!

sounds like you have the idea. the stuff is pretty easy to work with and i doubt you will have a difficult time sanding it down. im very sloppy with the stuff, but nothing a rasp,file, and sander cant handle....as to the option of gelcoat, im not very experienced with it and dont want to lead you down the wrong path. i have the luxury of having all of my boo-boos under the water line and i use bottom paint (hides improfections pretty well )