Bilge Keels, replace or ignore?

[kevink 6771]

Hi All, i'm currently working my way though my Robert tucker Unicorn 24 by replacing rotted sections of the hull and roof.
I've just got one section left to do
But my thoughts have turned to the keels, She has what looks like an iron centre keel, and wooden bilge keels, the keel bolts dont look too bad, but there is no paint or protection on the wooden keels, so are sodden, but not rotten.
the wood looks like possibly oak, but im not sure.
So what should i do?
i know i cannot completely dry out the keels, as she's sat on the beach, and floats every other week.
Should i get a heat gun on the keels to try and force dry them as much as i can, or is there a way around the predicament of the wet keels.

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

The heat gun will only dry out the surface, no dry enough for painting. if you need to work on the keels, the boat will have to come out for a while, to ensure that the wood is dry enough to an acceptable level to paint the wood (water based paint).

At the moment, the wood has been pickled by the sea water, hence, it will not rot. However, if the timber keels, sink in mud every time the tide goes out, then there is a danger of rot.

 

[Ben Dockrell 22]

The heat gun will only dry out the surface, no dry enough for painting. if you need to work on the keels, the boat will have to come out for a while, to ensure that the wood is dry enough to an acceptable level to paint the wood (water based paint).

At the moment, the wood has been pickled by the sea water, hence, it will not rot. However, if the timber keels, sink in mud every time the tide goes out, then there is a danger of rot.

"if the timber keels, sink in mud every time the tide goes out, then there is a danger of rot"


Hello Captain

May i ask would the mud effect the hull too in that case ?.