keel band

[gas987]

I need to fit a keel band to my wilson flyer as it's to be kept on a drying mooring. I was told to sikaflex a stainless strip to the keel then a couple of layers of fibreglass over it. Was wondering whether carbon fibre tape and epoxy would do the same job. Any ideas?

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[Althorne]

Hi gas987 and welcome.
I have a keel band on my long keeled Colvic. It has a 32mm deep x keel thickness strip of hardwood fitted with a 32mm x 6mm mild steel band fitted to that. The hardwood is directly screwed into the boats keel and extends from the bow fully to the end of the skeg and the band screwed to that. Both have copious amounts of Sikaflex either side. Both are regularly given coats of paint and anti fouling when out of the water. I am going to change it for a new one next winter as I have had to do several scarfed repairs to it over the years and it deserves a new one. This last one has lasted 18 years, so doing properly pays.
Good luck

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[oldharry]

Carbon fibre /epoxy may be immensley strong, but has very poor abrasion resistance compared to Stainless Steel.. Also extremely difficult to remove when the time comes for replacement.

I cant quite see the logic of putting the strip in then covering it up again with glassfibre, which will be rapidly worn away if there is much movement when the boat lifts and grounds.

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[gas987]

thanks for your replies
the chap I was talking to glassed his in and this acts as a 'sacrificial' layer which is repaired as required each season. I suppose this gives a smoother finish to the keel. The boat is moored bow and stern in a calm harbour so does not move too much whilst drying out which is why I considered the CF tape option.

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