Encased keel repair

I have a lead keel encased in fiberglass. I ran into an underwater object that broke through the fiberglass at the lower part of the fin keel leading edge (about 10 in.) Lead visible but not damaged. No other visible damage to hull, keel/hull joint etc. What is the hard material that encases the lead ? Any suggestions for repair process ? Don't think it merits insurance claim.

Re: Encased keel repair

Welcome to iboat Dry Dock.

Really need a picture of the damage to offer any suggestions on repairs.

Re: Encased keel repair

Lead Keel encased in Fiberglass. Without pics ^^^ it is hard to help, but... Wouldn't the hard material that encases the lead be the Fiberglass resin and glass??

Re: Encased keel repair

DockH said:

I have a lead keel encased in fiberglass. I ran into an underwater object that broke through the fiberglass at the lower part of the fin keel leading edge (about 10 in.) Lead visible but not damaged. No other visible damage to hull, keel/hull joint etc. What is the hard material that encases the lead ? Any suggestions for repair process ? Don't think it merits insurance claim.

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I think I just looked at that on H row..

Thing is you cant hold up the travel lift long enough to do the repair correctly without screwing up the launch schedule ( if this is the same boat ).

You need Epoxy and glass to re-capsulate the lead and other glass on your keel. Then you should put a few coats of IP 2000 on the repair..then 2 coats of BP ( your VC-17 right ? ).

this will take 3 days in the Slings .. wont happen during "launch".

I could be thinking of another boat..but your keel is still on the hard jack standed making a repair of this nature very difficult for a mobile Glasser/repair guy. Consider that in your Bill..

YD.

Keel Repair

Keel Repair

Something took a bite out of the lower leading edge of my fiberglass encased lead keel. See photo. No damage to hull/keel joints. Need help on what to use to replace the plastic or foam material between the lead keel and the fiberglass skin. The material is very hard and dense.

All suggestions appreciated

Re: Keel Repair

Re: Keel Repair

Calling the Yacht Doctor!!!! Come in Yacht Doctor!!!

Re: Keel Repair

Re: Keel Repair

Wow, very major damage, I think you may need to take this one to the Yacht Dr. in person.

Re: Keel Repair

Re: Keel Repair

WOW! That is some major damage! Paging Yacht Dr. CODE BLUE!!

Re: Keel Repair

Re: Keel Repair

DockH said:

Something took a bite out of the lower leading edge of my fiberglass encased lead keel. See photo. No damage to hull/keel joints. Need help on what to use to replace the plastic or foam material between the lead keel and the fiberglass skin. The material is very hard and dense.
View attachment 93981View attachment 93980
All suggestions appreciated

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Sorry..this time of year with Launching and colder weather has been Crazy with me ..

Okies.. took a good look at the damaged keel.

Your SURE your Keel bolts are good and not leaking right ??

No water in that Foam from your keel form ? ( You cannot layup glass when you have wet foam ).

Looks to me that they had a keel made up..bolted it..put into your glass form then Poured foam in there.

Its all Cosmetic Basically for your keel ( Not as bad as it looks kinda thing ). IF YOUR Glass Is intact !

No water should be in there before you foam and glass.

You can use basically any " foam " for a " form " then grind and glass your lead in.

You have to do things in reverse from the factory.. instead of glassing..then put keel in..then foaming it in solid. .. .. You have to remove the bad glass and foam ( which only holds the water out of the keel form ) .. re-foam for shape and then re-glass the skin of the keel ( probably no more then 1 layer of poly 1.5oz mat .. 1 layer of 1708...then final layer of 1.5oz mat. ) You Might get away with 1.5 oz mat for All your lams.

Need How they put this lead in the boat though.. open it up a bit more.. ( not crazy open..just enough to know what your dealing with ).

I think you will be ok without busting the bank on this ..

YD.