Keel Damage? What to do?

[catchbats]

I purchased my 2000 Four Winns this past year and I've been searching for a repair or something to do about the keel on my vessel. The gel coat is basicly gone, and it's just been ground down from launching. It has about a 1/2"-1" grind mark the entire length of the boat. Not bad, but you can tell it's just wear from launching and what not. There's not even any damage from beaching? Just the bottom. I was wondering if anyone has used Herculiner, Rinoliner, Linex or anything like that to repair somthing like this? I found the "Keel Guard" and "Keel Shield" products from various marine stores. Has anybody used these products and how well do they hold up? This just seems to cover the damage instead of actually fixing it in a way. But whatever, That's why I thought the truck bed liner stuff would be great. But I dont know how it would hold up either? Please! Any input on this would be great!

 

[jtexas]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

this is a job for Marine - tex.

my keel is now mostly marine - tex - but Keel Shield is the product of choice on my local fishing board - very highly thought of.

 

[catchbats]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

Yea, It's down do the strands of glass in spots so I'd kind of like to at least put a coating of some sort on it before covering it up. Whether it's just a thin layer of fiberglass resin or some sort of epoxy. Just painting on a thin layer of resin on, I think would be the quick easy and cheap route.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

don't put anything on there until you've decided on your final solution - something like resin might affect the adhesion of your keelshield (or whatever you decide on). marine-tex is easy enough to work with - you can apply any thickness (no layering), it'll stay where you put it without dripping, and you can sand it after it cures. It'll adhere to your hull and its at least as tough & permanent as the material its replacing. I don't have stock in the company (maybe I should) - I just think its about the greatest invention in the history of the universe...........

 

[catchbats]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

I't really isn't that bad. I think I'll just put a guard on it. What brand is the better, Keelguard, or Keelshield? It looks like they both use the 3M Adhesives to fasten.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

I'm with Tex on the Marine Tex.

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

Whatever you do, you have to seal the fibers. Fiberglass is not waterproof. If you've got fibers showing, they're wicking water into your hull when it's in the water. I don't know if you'll get an effective seal with just a guard. You may solve your short term problem, but might create a far worse long term one...

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

It's been said; Marine-Tex first. You should always seal the hull of any wounds. Especially in areas that have freezing temps. Water will wick into any exposed fiber and will cause you more grief later.

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

does any one have a mail order source for marine-tex?

 

[catchbats]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

How is this Marinetex applied? Can you paint it on with a brush? Or is it a solid epoxy? It says it handles like a putty. With that being said, I don't think I have enough damage to justify using a putty. I'd end up having to sand 99% of it off. That's why I was thinking resin would be better. Paint it on and sand a little, not a lot. My damaged area is approximately 1/4" wide. And worn throught the GC. Here's a pic of the damage, let me know what you guys think?

 

[catchbats]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

Most of the black you see in the pic is from the roller at the back of the trailer. I think I should switch that to a urethane roller to prevent that.

 

[jtexas]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

westmarine.com

It mixes up maybe a little thinner than peanut butter - you can spread it on with a putty knife - or (don't tell anybody) I usually just raid the camping supplies for some plastic spoons/knives for mixing & application. Where it works better than resin or epoxy for me, is in places like the bottom of the boat, where I can spread it on and it won't drip.

Looks like your keel roller might be bearing too much weight or for some other reason, not rolling. If that's the case, urethane rollers are less stiff than rubber, they'll deflect more, and wear a groove. Won't make your boat black, though. I could be wrong.

 

[Nova II 260]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

CatchBat, You can get Marine-tex at most Marina/boat stores and some auto supply houses. It is a two part epoxy like stuff similar to bondo in consistancy and handling. Lays nice and sands well. I used a credit card to spread and even it out, (two fold purpose...kills the credit card too) and a sandwich bag to make it smooth. Very little sanding. You do NOT have to mix the whole container at once as they say to do. Just watch your mixture volume close (5:1 ratio by volume).
Marine-Tex how to

 

[catchbats]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

It actually looks worse than it is, that mark is really only a 1/4" wide, none the less, I want to fix it the best I can before pretecting it from further damage. I think I'll check into putting a urethane roller on. At least it wont be marking the boat up so much. I'll be getting some marine tex and see how it works. Thanks, Jerry

 

[jaxnjil]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

CatchBat, You can get Marine-tex at most Marina/boat stores and some auto supply houses. It is a two part epoxy like stuff similar to bondo in consistancy and handling. Lays nice and sands well. I used a credit card to spread and even it out, (two fold purpose...kills the credit card too) and a sandwich bag to make it smooth. Very little sanding. You do NOT have to mix the whole container at once as they say to do. Just watch your mixture volume close (5:1 ratio by volume).
Marine-Tex how to

thanks for the link. the bottom of my boat has chips and deep scrachs and i think this just what i need. all i need to do now is find some that sells it in co.

 

[catchbats]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

I just bought a 2oz repair kit off Ebay. Im also in CO. I ordered a 12inch, and 4" poly rollers and the kit for $46. Wholesale Marine. I've actually used them before with no problems. I'll let you know how the repairs go. Thanks!

 

[bjcsc]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

Well once you get it fixed the next step would be to start using your anchor on a line instead of your keel on the hard. Good luck, take your time and it will come out fine...

 

[catchbats]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

I actually bought this boat at the begining of the season. The damage was already there. I've never beached her or had any other issues. You actually can't even see it from standing right next to the boat. I found someone selling Keelshields for under $100 "actually $79.00" on Ebay, so it's not that big of a cost for a little prevention. This whole thing is $140 bucks for the epoxy kit, 2 new poly rollers,and Keelshied. It's totally worth it to me to fix it right and keep it from wearing anymore. I really think the majority of the grind marks have been from launching and loading the trailer. But there are scrapes from beaching it that I can see. The majority of the markings on it are black and green which is the color of the back roller and tralier. I'll post some pics after I get her repaired. Thanks!

 

[eli_lilly]

Re: Keel Damage? What to do?

I +just+ applied Marine-Tex to my boat's keel a couple of weeks ago as it was starting to become worn. It was very easy, following the directions I had read from others here. Putty knife it on then rub it with a wet finger after a few minutes. You probably won't even need to sand.