Repair Advice - Mark V

[AlpinetoOcean]

Hi Ribbers and Sibbers,
I have a 1993 Mark V Zodiac that I am cleaning up and outfitting. It seems mostly in good condition but clearly it's old.
When I pulled out the decking I discovered a previous owner had laid down a long strip of sealant along the bilge side of the keel. The sealant peeled away cleanly which revealed some extensive cracking in the hypalon that clearly the sealant was supposed to fill and protect.
I'm wondering what advice you'd suggest to repairing this. Should I just use a similar sealant? or what about gluing down a strip of CSM (Hypalon)?
Thanks in advance.

[AlpinetoOcean]

Well I have removed all the sealant. Luckily it was still very pliable and while it adhered well to the hypalon it pulled off relatively easily. I realize now what the history was: it looks like an older (likely original) inflatable keel was compromised enough that a previous owner pulled it out. That keel was glued in and when they removed it it parted some of the material off the hull leaving these small open cracks.
On advice I plan to seal the cracks with glue and then glue down a strip of hypalon and then use 2" velcro to fasten the inflatable keel back in place.

[Steve509926]

Originally Posted by AlpinetoOcean

Well I have removed all the sealant. Luckily it was still very pliable and while it adhered well to the hypalon it pulled off relatively easily. I realize now what the history was: it looks like an older (likely original) inflatable keel was compromised enough that a previous owner pulled it out. That keel was glued in and when they removed it it parted some of the material off the hull leaving these small open cracks.
On advice I plan to seal the cracks with glue and then glue down a strip of hypalon and then use 2" velcro to fasten the inflatable keel back in place.

Sounds like a good plan

[SoCal Hurricane]

Good move on laying a new strip of hypalon. Keep in mind that you'll want to use about 1 foot wide to overlap and strengthen the area. I can get expensive as the Hypalon and glue are not cheap... but it's the right way to do it and more cost effective in the long run of having to redo it later properly.

With regard to the velcro; you really won't need it. I'd save the money and time. If you feel like it will shift, then perhaps just use some at the transom. The keel on the MKV is good and strong and really doesn't shift.

Lastly, if you happen to need a keel, Ive got a good one here in a box!

[AlpinetoOcean]

Thanks SoCal,
That's a great prompt for me to post an update.

It took a few weeks up here in the Pacific NW for the weather to finally warm up and dry out sufficiently but last weekend I was able to make the planned repairs.
We sanded and cleaned the keel seam with toluene. I found a package of 6" wide rolls of hypalon which turned out to be closer to 7" which gave just under a 2" past the old seam material. So not quite your recommended foot wide but I'm happy with the relationship of width to repair. In all the length of the new strip is 10ft, basically just up to the thrust board.
I did end up laying a run of Velcro and the inflatable keel is super secure. See photo below

[SoCal Hurricane]

Looks great!!