Keel Damage Help

[wijnendael]

We recently had our first boat delivered by transport from Germany, and unfortunately the wooden keel was damaged when loading. I have straightened the keel and fixed back in place, we re-sealed everything as best we could and lowered the boat back into the water. However due to the fact that we could not get to the back of the keel very well because of the crane slings we have found that it is letting in water from this area. As this part is under the engine inside the boat we cannot get access to it without removing the engine. Now my question is because the bilge pump has to run every so often to remove the water we are having the boat removed from the water again and placed on a stand to carry out better repairs. I have been advised that it would be better to fibreglass around the complete keel to the hull of the boat can anyone give me any help on the products and applying that are best for this then we can obtain everything ready for the work, also is there any special preperation required before applying the fibreglass ?. I can post photos of the damage if required

 

[tillergirl]

I guess I would want to remove the keel completely and see what the damage is underneath. Presumably the keel bolt(s) is bent or has at least distorted the hole. The laminae may be cracked. Best all off and inspected even though the engine has to be removed.

 

[DAKA]

If a wooden boat dries out during layup, especially if it has been transported you would expect leakage until the hull is nicely soaked again.

if you have not waited 2-3 weeks to see if the seepage stops you could be waisting money on a lift at this stage.

 

[wijnendael]

As you say the keel bolt/s especially the one right at the back was bent but did manage to straighten it after some time. Yesterday I made arrangements to have the boat lifted out the water again at the beginning of next week to carry out better repairs, but the possiblity of removing the engine for this is a really big job as lots of alterations have been made to the original design of this boat over the years and it would be extremely difficult if not impossible to remove the engine without some major structural work ( and if this can be avoided i would rather leave it where it is until absolutely necessary !!) This morning the leak seemed to have slowed down somewhat and as it is not that bad at the moment to cause any immediate danger providing i do not get a pump failure ( have installed a 220V automatic submersible pump just in case) I think i am prepared to leave it a little longer in the water to see if the hull swells enough to self seal the leak. The boat as only been back in the water for two days so maybe i have not waited long enough yet. Is there a product that can be applied in water and will cure as i can get my hand/arm under the engine to where i think the problem may be. As for the second reply to my post 2-3 weeks seems a awful long time to wait and see if the first repair has worked, but being totally new to working on boats I dont know.

 

[essexboy]

Transport companys insurance ?

 

[wijnendael]

Transport company say they are not responsable for the damage and likewise the crane company. The boat was in the water and lifted out without a problem, the damage happened when the driver asked people to push the boat to get the keel central on the trailer (so I am told). We think that to pursue this would take a very long time before somebodys insurance decide to pay up which would mean the boat being stuck waiting till at least the end of the year. For this reason we have decided that it would be quicker to carry out some sort of repair only if it means we can use the boat for the summer (only on inland waterways)

 

[wijnendael]

Can somebody recommend what i need. Although the leak has almost stopped ( now it is taking all day for the level to reach the bilge float switch ) and may stop altogether we have decided to lift the boat back out of the water. Then strip the keel and a small section of the hull back to a clean surface and apply glass fibre matt along the complete keel and onto the hull. When looking through various items (on ebay germany) I notice that the glass fibre comes in different weights per square meter, my question is which weight should i be looking for, a heavy one or light one and then there seems to be the option of epoxy or polyester which of these would be best for a wooden keel and hull ? /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif