1975 Crestliner Apollo 660 replace keelson

[kevdog2000]

I'm rebuilding the stringers and transom in a fiberglass '75 Crestliner. After removing the stringers, I noticed water coming out from the center of the boat and under a layer of 1708. After some sanding, I found a 2" piece of wood about 9' long running from the bow to the transom that was rotting and split in many locations. I've since found out that this is called a keelson. I've completely removed the piece of wood and have a replacement ready to install. My question is: Do I have to bed or glue the wood to the bottom of the boat prior to putting a piece of 1708 over the top of it?

Any help would be great!

 

[Woodonglass]

Yup first it should be thoroughly saturated with resin then bedded in a thin layer of Thickened resin and finally 2 layers of 1708

 

[kevdog2000]

Woodonglass, you're the best! You've helped me a lot on this rebuild. I actually had a post going from a year ago and unfortunately had to stop the rebuild due to unforeseen car transmission expense on the kid's car. Ran into another problem now with the transom. Completely rotted and looks like I have to split the boat in order to do it right. Any thoughts on separating the top from the bottom of the boat?

Thanks again for your help!

 

[Woodonglass]

Popping the cap is tedious but not hard. Just remove the rubber bumper insert, and then drill out the hundreds of rivets or remove all the screws. Take care of the rubber And the Aluminum rail cuz replacing them IS PRICEY!!! The cap may or may not be Glued to the hull sides and transom. Visual inspection should tell the tale. Make sure to take a LOT of pics and measurements at multiple locations prior to taking it off. YOU MUST ensure that all the dimensions stay the same after the new stingers, transom and deck are installed. If not, it will be almost impossible to get the cap to fit correctly. Measure side to side top to bottom, Fore and aft!!!