Keel-band replacement on dinghies

[Greenheart]

How easy is it to replace the metal keel-band on a sailing dinghy? Quite a lot of examples on older boats, are broken or partly missing.

The keel-bands available for sale as replacements all seem to be broader in section than the very narrow rails on most sailing dinghies, and the 10cm gap between screws is more frequent than on the originals...in fact many originals seem to have been bonded by other means.

If a keel band is broken, is the boat likely to have suffered a serious impact? And isn't it unwise to drill/screw thirty or forty new holes along the keel of an old GRP dinghy? I realise they can be sealed with epoxy, but isn't epoxy also a better solution for glueing the band on, too?

 

[lw395]

Sailboats.co.uk do a plastic one designed to be stuck on.
I think you can still get the brass.
From my experience a few screws to hold it in shape is a good idea, but epoxy works ok on ali. Not so good on brass.

 

[Deleted member 36384]

Its very easy if its just the screw on semi round profile. The secret is in the preparation as usual. Take off the old band, drill out all the screw holes over size, clean out and allow to dry. Fill and fair the keel, mark out the screw holes and re-drill. Bed down on a mastic sealant and attach to the keel with new screws.

 

[Lakesailor]

Is this on your old banger? Have you seen the price of keel bands?

 

[alahol2]

It's not difficult at all as long as you can get to the inside of the keel. I replaced one on a rowing dinghy with a stainless steel band. Just used a bead of Sika type compound and c/s machine screws through the same holes as the previous band. A blob of filler over the nuts makes sure it stays watertight.
This kind of stuff... http://www.mainmarine.co.uk/strip.html