1989 Bass Tracker 1600TF Keel Work

[DFord143]

So, this boat has obviously been used and enjoyed over the years but it has taken it's toll on the keel. I'd like to find out what's going to be the best approach to fix the keel, whether it be using one of those keel guards, or a more intense method. There doesn't appear to be any major holes that I can see however we know looks can be deceiving.

 

[proshadetree]

You are definitely into raw fiberglass. That can and will lead to water intrusion. A stick on keel guard will not solve that issue. But many , many boats are like that or worse. How much labor do you want to go into to fix this issue?

 

[DFord143]

You are definitely into raw fiberglass. That can and will lead to water intrusion. A stick on keel guard will not solve that issue. But many , many boats are like that or worse. How much labor do you want to go into to fix this issue?

My ultimate plan is to keep the boat forever, however long that is. I know at some point in the future the cap is coming off the boat to replace flooring, stringers and transom because it's the right way to do it. That being said... I'm going to put however much labor I need to get it done right... for the long term.

 

[Woodonglass]

Uhmm not sure why you started another thread about your project. iBoats recommends you keep all posts in one thread to help the members understand the total scope of the project. As stated in the original thread you'll be removing everything from the inside of the boat and the top cap. Once that's done you'll need to flip the hull and then attack all the bottom of the hull issues. Based on these pics, You'll need to grind out all of the bad spots and then add filler, resin and glass to rebuild and reshape the keel to it's original form. Then paint or Gelcoat before flipping back up.

 

[DFord143]

Uhmm not sure why you started another thread about your project. iBoats recommends you keep all posts in one thread to help the members understand the total scope of the project. As stated in the original thread you'll be removing everything from the inside of the boat and the top cap. Once that's done you'll need to flip the hull and then attack all the bottom of the hull issues. Based on these pics, You'll need to grind out all of the bad spots and then add filler, resin and glass to rebuild and reshape the keel to it's original form. Then paint or Gelcoat before flipping back up.

Different thread because this is an entirely different boat and project.

 

[ezmobee]

My Hydra Sports had similar keel damage. I patched it all up with MarineTex which sands back down and blends in pretty well on a white hull. I have a Keel Guard to put over it also at some point.

 

[DFord143]

My Hydra Sports had similar keel damage. I patched it all up with MarineTex which sands back down and blends in pretty well on a white hull. I have a Keel Guard to put over it also at some point.

Never heard of this. Is this like a filler that works with the gelcoat or did you have to gelcoat over it as well? Where did you pick it up at?

I'm certain that matching the gelcoat on a boat that is roughly 28 years old will be nearly impossible. Since there are a lot of scratches I figure I could use the keel style lines on the underside of the boat and come up with some sort of two-tone color scheme that both fixes the work and doesn't look terrible.

 

[ezmobee]

MarineTex is just a two-part filler product. I think it only comes in white or gray. The white must not be super white because it blended in surprisingly well on my 14+ year old hull. In addition to the keel repairs I removed a VHF antenna mount that left 4 good sized holes that I also patched with MarineTex. I let it cure and carefully sanded it down flush with the surrounding gel and it looks very decent.

http://www.iboats.com/Marine-Tex-Ep...172200--session_id.267429805--view_id.1184606

 

[DFord143]

MarineTex is just a two-part filler product. I think it only comes in white or gray. The white must not be super white because it blended in surprisingly well on my 14+ year old hull. In addition to the keel repairs I removed a VHF antenna mount that left 4 good sized holes that I also patched with MarineTex. I let it cure and carefully sanded it down flush with the surrounding gel and it looks very decent.

http://www.iboats.com/Marine-Tex-Ep...172200--**********.267429805--view_id.1184606

Wow, a wide range of sizes/options available too. Not being familiar with your particular boat and since this is an epoxy product, any ill effects from it possibly reacting with your boat? Did you try tinting it at all or just right out of the can, follow the instructions to apply it?

 

[proshadetree]

Epoxy will not react with poly. You however cant gelcoat over epoxy, well most say you cant and I have never tried. Epoxy sticks like mad. There is always mote than one way to skin a cat.

 

[Woodonglass]

Sorry for the confusion. Didn't read the topic well enuf. What happened to the other boat??

The damage that I see on your keel in some areas, requires more than filler, IMHO. But...it's your boat and you can do as you wish. What happened to the other boat??

 

[DFord143]

Sorry for the confusion. Didn't read the topic well enuf. What happened to the other boat??

The damage that I see on your keel in some areas, requires more than filler, IMHO. But...it's your boat and you can do as you wish. What happened to the other boat??

Okay... in your honest opinion what does it require?

To make a long story short I still have it. A buddy put me in touch with a gentleman whom might have had a motor for it for a good deal. 200 miles later I got there and ended up looking at a motor than happened to be attached to what is basically my dream boat. I drug it home the 200 miles home that day. The motor isn't ideal but the boat is in my eyes. I know a ton of people aren't fans of Tracker boats but I've liked them since I was a kid. I'm certain that a cap off rebuild is in its future and when it comes time to rip it down I'll rebuild it far better than factory and will have fixed everything people hate with Tracker boats.

As for the Astroglass goes, pending the ability for storage I still plan on doing the restoration even though it's not really cost effective to do it then sell it. With that said once I have the opportunity to use both boats I may ultimately like the Astro better and pass the Tracker down to my daughter's. On the other hand I could keep the Tracker and they end up with an Astro.

 

[Woodonglass]

The areas where the Glass strands have been compromised, need to be ground down to fresh smooth glass. You then use multiple layers of CSM and 1708 to build it up. The use fairing material to get her smooth and ready for paint. Start with small pieces of CSM and progressively get larger. might take 6-8 pieces but it will be a TANK when done and won't chip off. Filler probably would.

 

[DFord143]

The areas where the Glass strands have been compromised, need to be ground down to fresh smooth glass. You then use multiple layers of CSM and 1708 to build it up. The use fairing material to get her smooth and ready for paint. Start with small pieces of CSM and progressively get larger. might take 6-8 pieces but it will be a TANK when done and won't chip off. Filler probably would.

That was the approach I was thinking. Do a full on fiberglass patch going well into good/fresh fiberglass then filler and ultimately gel coat. Recommendations on where to get filler and gel coat?

 

[Woodonglass]

If you're gelcoating then you'll use Polyester or VE resin. I like US Composites. Shipping is NOT cheap but products are good Depending on where you live you might find a local supplier. Body Shops and Marina's may have stock or leads to closer suppliers. If you Get some cabosil and glass bubbles you can make your own filler. I Do!!!

 

[DFord143]

If you're gelcoating then you'll use Polyester or VE resin. I like US Composites. Shipping is NOT cheap but products are good Depending on where you live you might find a local supplier. Body Shops and Marina's may have stock or leads to closer suppliers. If you Get some cabosil and glass bubbles you can make your own filler. I Do!!!

I've got a connection with a local body shop that I buy all my resin, fillers, etc. through when I'm working on other projects. Interesting idea on the cabosil though, you're saying just to mix it in with the resing on a final layer or two using it as a filler and avoiding the need for a bondo like (but NOT bondo of course) filler?

 

[Woodonglass]

Yup, All bondo products use Talc as their thickening agent. It is NOT hygroscopic and therefore can and will absorb water. Cabosil is and therefore will NOT absorb water. All polyester resin is only water resistant. It Will absorb water but...not at a rate that is worrisome as long as it's not compromised by scrapes and gouges. If it is then with the added Talc then the problem is intensified and will create problems a LOT faster and more severe. Best to stay with Marine Grade products that are Known to not cause issues. Bondo is Great for Cars...Not so much for Boats!

 

[DFord143]

Can you share with me a bit more on using cabosil in the resin as a filler? Do you simply use it on your last coat of glassing or is there more to it?

 

[Woodonglass]

ok on the deepest gouges i would mix up some resin and cabosil with some strands of CSM mixed in until it was the consistency of mayonnaise. Apply to the damaged areas and smooth it out Couple of hours sand and shape. Then a layer or two of glass. After cute sand and shape. then mix resin and bubbles to make fairing material. do final fill and shaping and sanding.