Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

[Jockey]

Hi All,

I have a 1970's Hourtson Glasscraft which has taken some abuse due to a terrible trailer the previous owner used to use. The keel has been ground down and there is some glass exposed. When I use the boat (yes I have still been using it) I get a fair amount of water in the bilge I am curious if it could be coming in from this area?

Anyways winter is here and the boat has been slipped away. I would really like to fix this up on my own so that it is structuraly safe, not exposed to the water and of course sealed. You can see in the two pictures the main area of concern. In the third picture there is some damage up high and when I look into the cutty I can see light coming through this area so that tells me it is very thin.

I have never done any fiberglass work before but I am mechanically inclined. Is this something one can do on their own or is it best to get a professional to do it since we are not talking about nicks and chips (I will get to those later) but the integrity of the hull. Where should I start? I have looked on my own but mostly found fiberglass chip repair walk throughs nothing regarding the keel itself. In addition the blue paint on the bottom of my hull always transfers to any skin/clothing it comes in contact with. Is there a reason it is constantly rubbing off? Again previous owner slapped a quick coat on before selling is there some form of sealer that should have been applied? Thanks for your advice.

 

[Ciera2450]

Re: Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

The bottom likely has ablative paint, it is meant to "wear off".
As for your leak, it is hard to say.... but VERY possible the keel damage is your leak point. Some of that rash looks pretty deep.
The guys here can easily guide you thru repairing the area.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

Check out friscoboaters repair videos on youtube, he has one where he specifically addresses and fixes a thin keel repair. It is an easy repair to reinforce inside, and then use some fairing compound to reshape the exterior keel. I had same issue on my keel and brought it back to shape before repainting, My damage wasnt from trailer though but looked more like excessive beaching.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

Your gel coat has excessive oxidation and that is the reason the "Blue" is getting on everyones clothing. Needs to have a thorough washing with Tri Sodium Phosphate and wipe down with Acetone. I had the same repair on my bow. No biggee. If you have access from the inside, sand both sides really well with 60 grit, wipe it down with acetone and lay a couple of layers of 1.5 oz CSM, second larger than the first. Finish it off with a larger layer of 1708 biaxial cloth. Use a laminating resin NOT the waxed crap from Lowes or the Auto Stores. On the outside lay one layer of CSM then one of 1708 followed by two layers of CSM Sand, Fair, and either gelcoat or paint. In your case with the heavy oxidation, i'd seriously consider painting. This is just my opinion, others my have other ideas and solutiions.

 

[Jockey]

Re: Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

Thanks for the responses so far. JDA1975 by chance do you know which video on frisoboaters chanel has the keel repair? There is about 100 videos on that channel I looked through the titles and didn't notice it.

As for the lower keel I cannot get any access from the inside of the boat will this cause problems trying to do the repair? I do have access to the inside for the high part of the bow but the lower part is under the floor. Not interested in taking that up imagine the nightmares that could lie underneath!

I will also look into the oxidation issue. This is my first boat so a lot of things are foriegn to me. For example I couldn't tell you the difference between gelcoat and paint these are things I need to learn.

I have all winter to get a few large jobs done and I plan to start another thread encompassing the entire project. My thoughts at this time is perhaps I should start with some chip repair and if I am confortable doing that move forward to to this bow/keel area.

 

[JDA1975]

Re: Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

you could remove a small portion of the floor above the repair area, and then replace and repair that to get acess inside, but like ya said if you do that you may see the beast that lies beneath, and it is scary! This forum will get you the answers you need, in regards to which video i cant recall offhand, but you can try PMing him and he might be able to tell you easier.

 

[oops!]

Re: Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

what part of the boat is pic three?

that is an inside out repair...that means it must be fixed from the inside AND the out side.

follow woodies advice...that way i dont have to type...lol

but we need more info about the boat......is it an inboard...or out board?.....rarely is water intrusion caused by a thru hull hole....mostly its rub rail/ cap joint or a leaking part in an out drive.

 

[Jockey]

Re: Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

Pic 3 is the bow of the boat. I can do an inside/outside repair there as there is easy access. The one on the start of the keel (pic1 and 2) I don't have access to on the inside and I can't see myself removing any part of the floor to get access. That will turn this little spot into a huge project I can see it now. I don't have the time, experience or patience for that type of job. How much would a shop charge maybe it's best to just take it in.

It is an outboard, it's a 17ft with a 60hp 4 stroke yamaha and 8hp kicker. The suggestion about water intrusion from a rub rail or cap joint is a good suggestion I can see parts of the white gelcoat that have brown lines running down I assume that is from water intrusion on the rub rail and either rust or wood staining the gelcoat. Here is a pic of what I am talking about.

I would also love to shine up the white part of the gelcoat but I am not sure if it is too far gone. I have scrubbed (not with the correct cleaner) the white gelcoat and it doesn't really help. Clearly the gelcoat has been neglected both by myself and the previous owner. I have only had her for two years now and this is my first boat so I plead ignorance. My main concern is ensuring I am not doing more damage to the boat, capping the exposed glass so it doesn't get f'd up any more than it already is and continueing to load this boat with fish every chance I get. The cosmetic stuff can wait.

 

[Woodonglass]

Re: Ground Keel From Poor Trailer

Is the damage in the Blue area soft? can you press on it and deflect the glass beneath or does it feel pretty solid? If solid then you can probably get by with grinding it back on both side approx. 4-6 inches and laying the CSM and the 1708 and the final CSM layers and sanding and fairing. If it's soft then... for safety your gunna need to cut the deck and get to it from the inside. That's my opinion. As for the Gel coat, you can buy a buffer at Harbor Freight for under $50 bucks and get some biffing compound and see what you can do with it. You might be pleasantly surprised. Just go easy with it, you CAN buff all the way throug to the glass and then you'll have to reapply the gelcoat or paint it.