scrubbing posts with a concrete platform - safe for an encapsulated keel?

Malish

Malish

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Hi

As per the title - I have a Rival 34 with an encapsulated keel, the local scrubbing posts have a concrete platform on which the keel will sit. Personally I would be much happier if there were some wooden planks in place to receive the keel - am I being over cautious?
 
RivalRedwing said:
Hi

As per the title - I have a Rival 34 with an encapsulated keel, the local scrubbing posts have a concrete platform on which the keel will sit. Personally I would be much happier if there were some wooden planks in place to receive the keel - am I being over cautious?
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I wouldn't worry unduly about it ... it's maybe not ideal, but GRP is flexible stuff and you won't break it. I'd have a good look beforehand to make sure there are no rogue stones lurking.
 
You really should be OK so long as its a calm enough day to settle gently. Yes, wood strips would be nice, but concrete is better than many uneven muddy bottoms at scrubbing posts.

Rob.
 
I did this couple times a year on my previous boat. I worried for a while but relaxed after a bit. During a lift out I had a look and ran hand along; felt a bit rough but no discernable cavities or cracks. Also reassured by thickness of layup elsewhere. There's a barge nearby that grounds on every tide upon a concrete base. Owner tried arranging chains of old tyres but didn't really work. Problem is getting one tyre to sit right on lowest points without slipping aside.
 
If you're worried about it, surely it's not beyond the wit of man to lay a couple of boards down on the concrete, and (for example) drape some chain over them, clear of where the keel will land.
 
If your barnacles are anything like the limpet wannabes that used to inhabit the very bottom of my keel, they will act as a nice crumple zone!
 
If you do it in calm weather then you will hardly know you have touched ground. Somewhat strange question as one of the big selling features of long encapsulated keels is the ability to dry out safely and comfortably against a wall or posts. Wood slats are common on some drying posts or walls because water drains easily and you can access part of the bottom of the keel but are not essential.
 
Tranona said:
Wood slats are common on some drying posts or walls because water drains easily and you can access part of the bottom of the keel but are not essential.
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Kirkcudbright's scrubbing grid has sleepers set into the concrete, but flush with it. I've never understood what the point of that is.
 
Tranona said:
If you do it in calm weather then you will hardly know you have touched ground. Somewhat strange question as one of the big selling features of long encapsulated keels is the ability to dry out safely and comfortably against a wall or posts. Wood slats are common on some drying posts or walls because water drains easily and you can access part of the bottom of the keel but are not essential.
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Maybe strange but more likely a bit paranoid.... Posts with a sand or silt base spread the load across the keel but concrete might result in more of a point or linear load with more pressure on a smaller area of the keel
 
RivalRedwing said:
Maybe strange but more likely a bit paranoid.... Posts with a sand or silt base spread the load across the keel but concrete might result in more of a point or linear load with more pressure on a smaller area of the keel
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How does your boat sit in the yard? Mine's on two wooden blocks under the keel ...
 
I have always gone for a soft bottom for the same concerns as you. The water is rarely completely flat, and inevitably there is a boat movement just as she begins to settle.

How about a trip round to Brightlingsea?

Not sure what the bottom at Pin Mill is like - could well be sand.
 
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