Keel repair

[Eatkins251]

I noticed water dripping from keel. Drilled small hole and got out about 3 gallons of water. I have been sanding and plan to patch and put on keel guard. Should I use fiberglass kit or epoxy?

 

[chevymaher]

Well that is never a good sign. All the wood in the boat is soaking wet then.

 

[GSPLures]

I'm not sure what boat or how it is constructed but I know my sea ray had a lot of foam under the bow floor. If yours is the same all that foam is probably compromised and will begin working it's way into the stringers.

 

[Scott Danforth]

I noticed water dripping from keel. Drilled small hole and got out about 3 gallons of water. I have been sanding and plan to patch and put on keel guard. Should I use fiberglass kit or epoxy?

would help to know exactly what you are working on.

however its a little late for the keel guard

if you pulled 3 gallons of water, the foam is most likely saturated and the wood is most likely wet...... and there is no way to dry them out, only cut out and replace.

 

[Chris1956]

As long as the keel area is damp, neither epoxy or poly resin will stick well enough to effect repair.

What is directly above the damaged area? Ski well?

You really need to cut out the deck and get all the water out. That will likely entail removing the foam and perhaps some wet wood.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

So far 4 answers, and now 5 you probably don’t want to hear. Obviously Keelguard should have been used prior to beaching. Unfortunately what your picture shows probably will be an extensive repair. You have to get that area totally dry before the repair and grind back to good glass, inside and out.

 

[sphelps]

Ditto ...

 

[Eatkins251]

FYI boat is 1997 Sea Ray 175