Hull Repair Question

imported_Matt

New Member
I have a one and one half foot gash that is one half inch wide running down the keel directly under the cockpit. The previous owner filled it with marine tex which I had to remove. Beyond a great glassing job that I hope to do, any thoughts on covering the area with a type of guard/capping such as aluminum or plastic. Any thoughts? Any suggestions on what I can use?? Thanks
 
While you are waiting for some responses from those in the know, here are some pictures of some similar projects that were posted up on the forum over the last few months.

If you could post some pictures of your specific crack etc., I'm sure that would help with the correct response from those in the know. Unfortunately, this is not my area of strength....

Link #1: http://minifish-restoration.blogspot.com/

Link #2: http://sites.google.com/site/picturesofsunfishproject/

Link #3 (Note there are two pages total at this link - clink the page for the additional page): http://www.sunfishforum.com/showthread.php?t=28916&highlight=replacing+bridle
 
Covering the keel depends on how you use the boat. Usually the problem are boats that get dragged up or stored on the beach. The problem with bonding something to the keel is that keel is not a flat cross section. I'd try using one of those two wheeled dolly's with the big flotation tires first. If that does not would you could try bonding a strip of Kevlar to the keel.
 
I would think that if the keel is being damaged from being beached so would other areas of the under side. I assume the damage did not penetrate the hull based on the fact that Marine Tex was used to repair the gash, afterall Marine Tex, as strong as it is I'm sure wasn't designed to span a 1/2 inch wide penetrating crack, this is a glass fiber repair job.
 
... any thoughts on covering the area with a type of guard/capping such as aluminum or plastic. Any thoughts? Any suggestions on what I can use?? Thanks
Canoe shops have keel covers of things like Kevlar you adhere to the bottom. That would be sacrificial instead of the hull. Won't help the sailing, but might help the beaching. I like the idea of loading on a dolly rather than dragging across the beach.

Can you post some pictures of the damage?
 

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