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Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Tue Apr 26, 2016 8:53 pm
by Beerspitnight
Hello--my 1989 MONTAUK 17 keel has some damage to it that I would like to fix. Please see the slightly unfocused image below. I asked my brother-in-law to take the picture for me. My request came at night while it was raining, and I didn't want to ask him to go back outside to take another picture.

I did some research on this site and I was wondering if Evercoat Filler #27 would be appropriate for this application. If so, what is the best practice for completing this repair?

If EVERCOAT #27 is not recommended for this application, kindly suggest another product and approach for completing the repair.
Thanks.
Brian

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 8:30 am
by porthole
Is that fiberglass showing down the center?

West System Epoxy has everything you need along with very good instructions for all types of repair.
The repair manual is available at West Marine as well as all the products.

http://www.westsystem.com/ss/

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 8:43 am
by Beerspitnight
porthole wrote:Is that fiberglass showing down the center?


Yes, it is fiberglass. The gelcoat is gone. The area is hard to the touch and the fibers are not hanging or loose.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 9:01 am
by Phil T
This is also known as keel rash. Pretty common. I had it on my 1987 Montauk.

Use Marine tex. To get a generally smooth finish, use wide packing tape to cover and smooth it out.

https://shop.hamiltonmarine.com/products/marine-tex-jr-kit-white-2-ounce-kit-32267.html

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 10:08 am
by porthole
I use Marine Tex for a lot of repairs, but I would not fix my keel with it. West System epoxy. And you can use [WEST System epoxy] to fair in all those gouges in the gel coat while at it.

And, if you are going to continue to beach the boat, add a keel guard. Even though I didn't have damage on my 15, I added a keel guard so I could run the boat up on the beach occasionally.

I just tried a new-to-the-store West System G/Flex 655 Thickened Epoxy Adhesive to fill in a divot I had on the keel. Stuff works great for an overhead repair. Zero sag or drips.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Wed Apr 27, 2016 9:43 pm
by Beerspitnight
porthole wrote:And you can use [WEST System epoxy] to fair in all those gouges in the gel coat while at it.


Thanks for the responses. WEST System has a great library of how to videos and articles.

Which product from WEST System do you recommend for this project?

And yes, I have looked into a keel guard. Perhaps next season.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Sun May 01, 2016 8:55 pm
by johnlandnsea
You could use Marine Tex or West System for a repair in this situation being that they're both epoxy. Marine Tex applied the way Phil has described allows the epoxy to cure to a glossy white (gel coat like) finish.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Mon May 02, 2016 6:23 pm
by Beerspitnight
Thanks, John.

What is the difference between the West System and Marine Tex products. In this context, why would one choose to use one product over the other?

There is still a layer of glass over the fibers. The bottom of the boat is painted, so my primary priority is the repair and ease thereof.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Tue May 03, 2016 8:50 pm
by johnlandnsea
Marine Tex is more of a marine Bondo repair. It's great for smaller fixes, sandable, and paintable. It's about the consistency of toothpaste in thickness and is comes in white and gray.
West Sytem is one of the top of the line epoxies. Mixed without fillers it's fairly clear and has a honey like thickness. With fillers you can create any thickness you'd like. Of course, being a top of the line product it is quite pricey.
Could I see more pictures of your keel? It looks like structurally you may be fine and just missing some gel coat.
You may want to look at a keel guard for further protection.
https://www.keelguard.com/megaware-keelguard/

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Sun May 08, 2016 11:59 pm
by Beerspitnight
I asked my mother-in-law to take another picture of the keel, but it wasn't any better than the original image. So, I used Photoshop and attempted to produce a better image. Apologies if this modified image still falls short.

I emailed WEST SYSTEM and asked if whether their G-Flex or 105 system would be best for this type of repair (I was not able to send them the picture).
The "full" WEST SYSTEM 105 System is rather pricey at close to $90. WEST MARINE sells a WEST SYSTEM "Fiberglass Repair Kit 105-K" for $35. http://www.westmarine.com/buy/west-system--fiberglass-repair-kit-105-k-repair-kit--12954095 Perhaps this is the best option.

WEST SYSTEM G-Flex runs about $25.

The Marine-Tex epoxy putty is inline with the cost the West System G-Flex, and the Fiberglass Repair Kit 105-K, but Porthole indicated he would not use Marine-tex for this type of application. Perhaps you could explain why?

Thanks again.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 10:38 am
by macfam
I've had 3 repairs like this(or worse) over the years.
Our 1964 Nauset, 1988 25' Revenge WT.
2003 Albin 28, protective skeg. (I don't recall if I ever needed to repair the 1982 Revenge, or the 1987 13 Super Sport)
In each case, I used Marine-Tex, and covered with 3M clear packaging tape to create a easily formed, smooth repair that requires very little sanding.(Once fully cured the tape is removed)
All these repairs lasted for years. The two Whalers were eventually sold with these undetectable repairs under bottom paint.
The Albin's repair is still going strong. In fact, when the Albin is on the hard, there is a 6"x 6"x18" wood block that the repaired skeg sits on, along with stacked blocks 6' behind the bow. There is also 4 Brownell boat stands, but the majority of the 9000+lbs sits on those 2 blocks. The Marine-Tex repair takes tremendous strain with all that weight sitting on it. Upon close inspection, the Marine-Tex repair shows some wear due to the skeg going through sand at some extreme low tides.
I've never had a problem with any Marine-Tex repair.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Mon May 09, 2016 11:01 am
by johnlandnsea
After viewing your picture I think you're just missing some gel coat. I'd wipe that area down with acetone to clean the surface and spray some gel coat on it. You can use a Preval sprayer to thin (with acetone) the gel coat. This will give you a clean, smooth looking finish.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 9:33 am
by porthole
Beerspitnight wrote:The Marine-Tex epoxy putty is inline with the cost the West System G-Flex, and the Fiberglass Repair Kit 105-K, but Porthole indicated he would not use Marine-tex for this type of application. Perhaps you could explain why?



Marine Tex and West System both have there place, and I use both.

My preference for a below the water line repair is always going to be West System, whatever product I think is right for the job.
There is a reason the West System products are priced where they are, and there is a reason why some of the best cold molded boat builders use West System, and it is not because the Gougeon Brothers are proud of their product line.

So I really do not have an explanation, just personal preference.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Tue May 10, 2016 8:06 pm
by Beerspitnight
porthole wrote:
Beerspitnight wrote:The Marine-Tex epoxy putty is inline with the cost the West System G-Flex, and the Fiberglass Repair Kit 105-K, but Porthole indicated he would not use Marine-tex for this type of application. Perhaps you could explain why?



Marine Tex and West System both have there place, and I use both.

My preference for a below the water line repair is always going to be West System, whatever product I think is right for the job.
There is a reason the West System products are priced where they are, and there is a reason why some of the best cold molded boat builders use West System, and it is not because the Gougeon Brothers are proud of their product line.

So I really do not have an explanation, just personal preference.


Thanks for the response.

I ordered the West System 105-K product. I will update the thread after I attempt to repair the keel.

Thanks, everyone.

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 6:17 am
by Beerspitnight
I ended up using the WEST SYSTEM 105K Repair kit to fix the keel.

It was surprisingly easy to use and I am rather content with the results.

I followed the WEST SYSTEM's "How To" video "Fairing with Epoxy and Fillers": http://www.westsystem.com/ss/fairing-with-epoxy-and-fillers-sail-epoxy-basics-4/

Thanks for the suggestions.

Brian

Re: Keel Repair - Beach Burn

Posted: Tue Jun 14, 2016 9:33 am
by jimh
Good choice and good outcome. I use WEST System repair kits to fix all sorts of minor dings on the boat.