Colvic 20 Keelband Repair

[ColleyV8]

Just picked up a Colvic 20 to refurb

The main problem is the wooden bow piece has rotted and the keelband is now in mid air after poking with a screwdriver

I have added photos of the area, the main keelband is a U section steel and in good condition, so is the timber along the bottom of the keel, it is the area where it bends around the front of the bottom of the bow.

When removing the rotten area, the lowest part seems to have been made out of solid fibreglass, this has fallen out now

Is it a simple case of getting a piece of timber made to follow the hull profile, bed this on resin and then screw the steel keelband back on to it?



Regards

 

[sarabande]

assuming that the hull is GRP, how are you going to attach the graving piece to the hull ? Attaching the keel band is no issue

 

[ColleyV8]

Well i find the right wording, its the stem i need to replace, i was planning on either laminating a new one or using 3 or 4 large pieces epoxied together, then bed that onto epoxy on the grp hull, with a couple of layers of fibreglass cloth over all of it to about 4 inches onto the hull, then fair it in with some filler. Then screw the keelband onto the finished stem.

The top part of the stem already has some stainless bolts that screw into the bow, these are just covered with dowels when finished, you can see one of the bolts on the second picture.

Regards.

 

[sarabande]

I think I am concerned that the stem, which takes the occasional nudge and bump, will need more than a couple of layers of fibreglass to attach it firmly to the hull. Something to throughbolt it to the hull, and give it real sturdiness.

Colvics are tough anyway, but you want to make a lasting repair.

 

[Caer Urfa]

Agree with Sarabande, but if your going to do it 'do it right one time and if possible in one new piece'.

I would make a cardboard template/profile of you bow with measurements of wood thickness and size, try a local small timber yard and try and get some Iroko, or similar, teak is what you want but bloody expensive, another good source is find a local boat historical preservation group sometimes they not only have the gear but will be pleased to help for a small donation.

You then need to fix the new shaped timber to the hull and agree countersink/bolt it through BUT,check where the bolts will come out first so you can get at them to tighten, you will be very surprised at the bow thickness.

Then refix your steel keel band back BUT again right through the new timber and hull AGAIN check where the bolts will come out BEFORE you drill the holes.

From what you say your the old timber sounds as if it was originally 'glassed over' for protection, this is a good option !, do not put antifoul onto bare mild steel, wire brush it back to bare metal then 4 coats of International Primocon primer, then, antifoul.

Good luck !
Mike

 

[ColleyV8]

Thanks for the advice, will get a new stem made up this week hopefully and trial fit at the weekend. It already has three bolts towards the top of the piece, will see if i can replicate those further down where the stubs are poking out.