Keel Protector Strap Material Query

[ryansdesk]

im replacing an old batterered keel strap on my grp sailing dinghy, not sure of the type of metal to use. The boat will mainly be used in freshwater however on occasion will be used in seawater, Any ideas?

Was thinking about naval brass with brass fastenings but maybe someone has better suggestion???

 

[Gordonmc]

Take a look at the Classic Marine website.
Keel strap in bronze should do the trick.

 

[Skyva_2]

What type of boat do you have?

A lot of modern dinghies use flat aluminium keel band. Usually about one half inch wide. This may not be up to your job, and there is half round brass also available at dinghy chandlers.

 

[Lakesailor]

I used aluminium bar on my tender. Very robust. Been on 4 years. I thnik it is 1" wide, but I over did the spec as I was dragging up the stony beach before I made my launch trolley.
I got it from a local sheet-metal workshop.

 

[jleaworthy]

I used galvanised steel water bar (from builders merchant) on my 8' tender for keel band and bilge rubbers. Against all advice on this forum, I attached them directly to the grp surface (having roughened both) with epoxy resin - West system I think. That was two years ago and they are still there. Certainly, there is nothing stronger or harder wearing.

 

[Lakesailor]

Bit of weight there. Allot is much lighter if that's a consideration.

You can see my keel strip on this pic. Bedded on Sikaflex with a few self tappers as back-up. Been there 4 years and no sign of shifting.
(The hole was an unrelated matter, since repaired)

 

[VicS]

The Mirror dinghy used, still uses I guess, a "half round" brass band about 3/8" maybe 1/2" wide, fixed with brass screws, It came all predrilled IIRC. It used to be possible to get similar in galvanised steel but once the galvanising has gone the rests rusts quickly.


Trident-uk.com sell the replacement strips for the Mirror but precut to length at £50 for the set of four pieces. It might be worth trying them to see if they can help

 

[Lakesailor]

£50!!!
I paid about £6 for about 3metres.

 

[ryansdesk]

my dinghy is an ian proctor marlin i think! Been restoring her now for a couple of months , the hull is now complete, nice and shiny and new, all i need now is to get this hard to get keel strap and i can get the boat turned over and start work on the topsides, anyway it looks like im not going for brass due to dezincafication problem and naval brass and other more resistant forms seem to be nightmare to locate and get in the size i want , bronze seems to be the best but at a price im not prepared to spend, and then there's grade 316 stainless steel which seems to be the way im going to go. Im hoping im not gonna regret it cause once its on im hoping its gonna be there for a very long time. Any thoughts on this selection. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[VicS]

[ QUOTE ]
im not going for brass due to dezincafication

[/ QUOTE ] You are going to keep the dinghy afloat? If not then dezincification is not a problem. Even if you are it'll last for good while.

 

[ryansdesk]

will be taking the dinghy out the water after using her, thanks for the info on the brass, however have ordered me a 6 meter length of stainless steel 316 grade, 12mm wide by 3mm thick including postage for 34 quids, so am happy with that. hopefully there will be no problems with it.

 

[VicS]

There won't be any problem with stainless especially 316. It'll be difficult to drill if it is not predrilled. If you are drilling it do it slowly with some lubrication and don't centre punch the position of the holes more heavily than necessary or it will work harden.

The st st sounds less expensive than brass.