Suggestions for fiberglass repair along the keel

[AMMO DAWG]

Hi all, been so focused on getting the engine rebuilt and in my boat I didn't notice damage under the boat along the keel. I attached a picture, the damage is around 2.5-3 inches long. looked on a few YouTube videos and one guy just fills with Evercoat Formula 27 and Gelcoats over it. Is that a solid repair? Have a little fiberglass experience but this is under the water line and want to do it properly. Thanks in advance for some advice.

 

[flashback]

I would use an epoxy filler, evercoat may one, don't know.

 

[todhunter]

Grind it out to fair it to the surrounding surfaces, tape it off, and apply some white gelcoat thickened with cabosil. Wet sand and buff to taste. Unless you're a stickler, no need to try to color match since it's on the bottom of the hull and nobody is likely to ever see it.

 

[Baylinerchuck]

If the keel could get dinged from time to time I recommend a KeelGuard. Once you cover the damaged area with filler, you don’t have to be as particular with finishing if you slap a KeelGuard on it. I put them on both my boats and they work well.

 

[JASinIL2006]

If the keel could get dinged from time to time I recommend a KeelGuard. Once you cover the damaged area with filler, you don’t have to be as particular with finishing if you slap a KeelGuard on it. I put them on both my boats and they work well.

This ^.

I'd get some gelcoat paste, fill the gouged area, then add a Keelguard.

 

[ZippyDoodah2]

Do not use gelcoat paste. Make sure the cracks or holes are fixed. If cracked then just router thecrack down until good glass shows. Fill with fiberglass Bondo sand flat . Smear catylized gelcoat evenly over the sanded glass to fill pits and blemishes. Spray gelcoat over that. Sand buff and definitely get a keelguard.

 

[ZippyDoodah2]

Do not use gelcoat paste. Make sure the cracks or holes are fixed. If cracked then just router thecrack down until good glass shows. Fill with fiberglass Bondo sand flat . Smear catylized gelcoat evenly over the sanded glass to fill pits and blemishes. Spray gelcoat over that. Sand buff and definitely get a keelguard.

I've built over 100,000 boats from Mariah's, Godfrey, Hurricane, Celebrity, SeaDoo, Crownlines. I have a ton of knowledge and experience. Not that I have all the answers but I have a lot. I stopped working in the boating industry almost 20 years ago and still have people bring boats by the house all the time. Be safe Friends.