Fixing my damaged keel
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Full Answer
What is the best way to clean a corroded keel?
A belt sander or conventional hand bench plane can be used, since lead planes almost as easily as wood. With all corroded areas and damaged areas cleaned and filled, sand or wire brush the rest of the keel to bright metal.
How long does it take to replace a lead keel?
A lead keel is far easier to bring to bright metal than an iron keel. The fin keel of a 30-footer can be done in an hour or so. To make sure your keel doesn’t begin to corrode again, you must completely isolate the surface of the keel from the bottom paint with an epoxy barrier. This is a two-stage process.
What is the best tool to sand a boat keel?
A belt sander or disc sander works fine here, although proper use of either tool to avoid gouging the surface takes a little practice. A lead keel is far easier to bring to bright metal than an iron keel. The fin keel of a 30-footer can be done in an hour or so.
What happens if you run your keel aground?
The danger is damage to the fiberglass shell surrounding the keel. Even if you haven’t run aground this year, there’s a good chance that some where along the way you have acquired at least some superficial gouges in the lower part of the keel shell. These should be treated before they become problems.
Can a damaged keel be repaired?
Keel repair may become necessary from many sources of damage such as groundings, keel bolt corrosion, actual lead keel corrosion problems on the surface and internally within the casting. Any of these scenarios can be a safety factor and a possible structural issue that must be addressed as soon as possible.
How much does it cost to replace a keel?
Summary. By the time all is said and done, assuming we don't need to replace the keel bolts, this DIY removal, full inspection, and reinstalling the keel, is going to cost a minimum of US$4500, going up to US$6500 if we have a bunch of complications.
Can you replace keel?
If your keel bolts have deteriorated to the point where they are unsafe, or have failed entirely, or have been damaged in an accident, they can be replaced.
What happens if a keel breaks?
As the basic integrity of any yacht depends on the counter-weight of keel against the mast structure, it is a given that when a yacht loses its keel, it will capsize and not right itself. With this as a given, the structural integrity of the keel is one of the most crucial elements of the yacht's structure.
How often should keel bolts be replaced?
That said, for real confidence in the keel attachment, a visual inspection of a different bolt or two every five years is essential for galvanized keel bolts that have been in service 15 years or more.
When should I replace my keel bolts?
If the bolts look clean and dry, there's no visible corrosion, and the hull-keel joint is not cracked open, showing water, or has rust trails running from it, there is a good probability that the bolts are in good condition.
How do you replace a boat keel?
3:425:12Keel Bolt Repair - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipClear down across the keel and back up the other side. This will give this area a lot of addedMoreClear down across the keel and back up the other side. This will give this area a lot of added strength that it may have lost due to old planking.
How do you repair gel coat on a keel of a boat?
1:0115:24Fiberglass Gelcoat Repair (So you hit something with your boat) - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou're gonna have to look at doing something like adding a fiberglass resin filler mixture andMoreYou're gonna have to look at doing something like adding a fiberglass resin filler mixture and building it back up to a point where you can apply gel coat.
How do you remove a keel?
1:032:47How to Remove a Keel Bone & Spatchcock Poultry - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipPiece then running your fingers on either side of the cartilage to separate it away from the ribMorePiece then running your fingers on either side of the cartilage to separate it away from the rib meat there we. Go. Then we'll just pop the keel bone or it'll pop itself I guess and just peel it out.
Can you sail without a keel?
A boat smaller than 20 feet without a keel is referred to as a dinghy. A dinghy has neither a keel nor a ballast. To resist sideways movement it has a centerboard or a daggerboard that can be lowered or raised as needed.
Can keel boats capsize?
In dinghy sailing, it is not uncommon to capsize. It is far less common for larger keelboats which can be very difficult or impossible to recover from. A capsize in a keelboat is almost always a serious issue and may require outside assistance.
What is the purpose of the keel?
Beginner Sailing. The keel is basically a flat blade sticking down into the water from a sailboat's bottom. It has two functions: it prevents the boat from being blown sideways by the wind, and it holds the ballast that keeps the boat right-side up.
Can you cut the keel off a sailboat?
If your boat has an iron keel you can install bulb halves, but cutting it will be more difficult. Encapsulated keels present several problems, not the least of which is finding out what kind of ballast is really inside the keel. You may find yourself cutting into lead shot, solid-lead blocks, iron blocks, or concrete.
How do you remove a sailboat keel?
1:314:58Keel removal - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipWe wouldn't have enough chain fall to lift the boat. So the strap actually needs to be adjustable.MoreWe wouldn't have enough chain fall to lift the boat. So the strap actually needs to be adjustable. So we've taken a risk.
How do you drop a keel on a sailboat?
1:4812:13Swing Keels and Centerboards: Pros and Cons Explained - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipAnd then ease off a line and then tie it around the cleat which is a rather primitive mechanism. AndMoreAnd then ease off a line and then tie it around the cleat which is a rather primitive mechanism. And then there are swing tubes. And those use a hydraulic strut to lower end and raise the keel.
What are keel bolts?
Lead keel bolts are essential elements for securing the keel to the hull of a vessel. MarsKeel is a North American leader in keel technology and specializes in replacing lead keel bolts that are damaged and corroded.
How to fix rusty iron keel?
Remedies for Rusty Iron Keels. The best way to treat an iron keel that’s rusting is to sandblast the whole thing and apply a complete, new, epoxy-based coating system. But that’s not always feasible or desirable.
How to clean rusted iron?
Take your time here as this is the most important step. Chip off any scale with a cold chisel or welder’s chipping hammer, then wire brush-use a drill-powered brush where possible – and sand with coarse paper until you’re down to clean, bright iron.
How to clean a gouge with acetone?
Use a small, stiff bristle brush to clean the gouge completely. Dry again with the hair dryer, after most of the acetone has flashed off. Don’t breathe the stuff. With the area thoroughly clean and dry, brush on a clear coat of epoxy resin , followed by resin thickened with microspheres or micro-balloons.
How to get water out of gelcoat?
First, wash the damaged area thoroughly with high pressure fresh water. Dry the gouged area with a handheld hair dryer.
Can you overcoat epoxy before filling?
This will allow a better bond between the filler and the surface. You can allow the clear epoxy to partially kick off before over-coating with filler, but don’t let it cure completely or you’ll get a poor bond. When the filler has cured, sand or plane it level and smooth.
Does a lead keel pit?
Fortunately, the surface of a lead keel does not corrode and pit in the same manner as an iron keel, and reasonable repairs can be made without expensive equipment. A drill-powered wire brush will usually grind away surface deposits and do an adequate job of cleaning out shallow corroded areas.
Can lead keels corrode?
Surface corrosion is not limited to the lead keels on older boats. Poorly alloyed keels on new boats can also corrode. Fortunately, the cure is not difficult – only labor intensive – and the prognosis is for complete recovery and a long life. Yearly checkups are recommended, with local retreatment as necessary.