Pond Boat Keel Repair?

[JimS123]

I've been boating for 55+ years and have built and / or restored several boats. My only experience in that regard is with wood. I just picked up a 1960's classic dinghy and could use a little guidance how to repair the keel, or even if I should bother with it.

She's a very crude single layer hull of FG, 8' long and 4' beam. From my research the company used to make sailing dingy's, but this one does not have that hardware. The plate says its good for up to 10 HP....OMG what were they thinking....LOL.

Anyway, there are 3 keels on the bottom, and each was apparently stiffened with a wood batten, which is sandwiched between the plies of glass. The center keel is half gone, probably from dragging it on the ground. The boat is water tight at this point.

So what should I do?
* lay in pieces of wood where it is missing, glass it in and lay roving over the top?
* Just fill in the gap with resin?
* file down the sides and seal the area with resin? or roving as well?
* Leave it alone.

The boat will be transported to our pond and left there. It'll never be trailered, never have a motor on it, and probably spend the rest of its life leaning against a tree, just to be used by the Grandkids a few days a year. My only objective is to prolong its life and ensure it doesn't leak in the future, not make it look pretty.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Pond Boat Keel Repair?

Based on your described usage, I'd use a Douglas Fir 2x4 from Lowe's and cut some pieces to fit in the recess. You will need to sand back the paint on either side about 3-4 inches. Buy a Gallon of Polyester Resin from Lowe's and a couple of Packages of CSM Chopped strand mat. Cut the CSM into 8" wide strips paint on the resin and lay the strips of CSM in the resin. A couple of layers of resin and CSM and She'll be good to go and water tight.