Keel damage on GRP hull

[paintman]

All he claims to have access to is 'half a tube of two-pack gelcoat filler' with possible access to more of the same. Says nothing else available on the Falklands.

Using a sandbag to hammer form a piece of flat metal to rough shape to protect the damaged area & sticking it on with the help of a few screws & the filler to help seal the screw holes might work as the boat isn't left afloat.

Not a fan of making holes below the waterline, but seems the OP's choice if he wants to continue using the boat pending the arrival of materials is severely limited.

[BogMonster]

Originally Posted by mikehhogg

I can try and send you a tube if you want.

Thanks, no don't worry about it, because the airmail comes on a passenger flight they are extra fussy about anything that has a hazardous label on it so it would probably get picked up.


I'll have a look around here, JB weld may be an option I can find locally and I've used it on other things in the past, but it does tend to be a bit brittle so not sure how it would react to a rock.



I have ordered some more repair materials anyway and will order a keelguard of some sort as well, and we'll see how it goes.


Thanks for all the replies

[Matt]

Yeah, only suggesting JB as a temporary thing that could be easier to get while you wait for "proper" stuff.

[BogMonster]

Well, I decided after a scout round to try the Plastic Padding gelcoat filler I already had. It was a bit stiff (been in the cupboard for a while) but seemed to mix up OK with the hardener and I have covered the entire damaged area and formed it back into the approximate shape the keel used to be, I need to put another lot on to build up the thickness over the bald bit before breaking out the sandpaper, but so far it looks to be fine. Time will tell whether it will survive the beach but if I end up having to do this every year or so it isn't the end of the world. The options were leave it or JB weld, so if this stops water getting in for a while until the batch of stuff I ordered arrives in January then it'll be fine.



Fingers crossed....