Bilge Keel Moulds.

Mark-1

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I've noticed Bilge Keelers with encapsulated keels typically have parallel keels so you can get them out of the mould.

However, some, like my little Corribee, have splayed keels.

How do they typically achieve that? Bond the keels on after? Clever mould? Sacrificial mould?
 

Boathook

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The bilge keels could be added afterwards or possibly the mould could be split along the centre line. @Refueler on here had a problem with one of his bilge keels (it found a lump of concrete at speed) and it seemed that they had been added after hull was moulded as part of the hull design.
 

Corribee Boy

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My keels are definitely part of the hull, not grafted on, so I think it might be a three or four part mould: there seems to be a transverse join running across in front, and behind, of the keels, plus marks on the leading and trailing edges of the keels, so perhaps there's a saddle-shaped bit beneath the keel area.
 

Mark-1

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My keels are definitely part of the hull, not grafted on, so I think it might be a three or four part mould: there seems to be a transverse join running across in front, and behind, of the keels, plus marks on the leading and trailing edges of the keels, so perhaps there's a saddle-shaped bit beneath the keel area.

Thanks, CB.
 

Corribee Boy

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I had a quick look at the boat this morning to check that my comment was correct. BTW, mine's a Mk 3, which I'm convinced has a different underwater profile to earlier models. The keels are asymmetric, there's slightly more draft, and the deck doesn't puddle - though I could well be wrong!
 

Mark-1

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I had a quick look at the boat this morning to check that my comment was correct. BTW, mine's a Mk 3, which I'm convinced has a different underwater profile to earlier models. The keels are asymmetric, there's slightly more draft, and the deck doesn't puddle - though I could well be wrong!
I've google the Mk3 and, unless it's a feature of the camera lens, the decks look slightly concave (vex?) which strikes me as an improvement.

Mine's a Mk2 which is faster than the Mk3. (As everyone knows. :))
 

Keith 66

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Boats like Thames marine's Snapdragons had Vertical tapered keels simply to facilitate production. Marcons Sabres had splayed keels & i believe the mould had split sections to allow breaking out not sure where the joins were.
 
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