Keel fiberglass repair

[Gbell3]

Hello everyone! New here, and new to boats....and fiberglass. The boat had some keel rash when I got her, and some deeper gouges. I have sanded, and ground the gouges out to make for smooth divots. What's next in this repair? I see a lot of conflicting info, but I have a fiberglass repair kit with mat and resin and fillers, and I also have gel coat and pigments. Thanks in advance!!

 

[Scott Danforth]

first layer csm
second layer 1708
third layer 1708
sand smooth
fair
gel

 

[gm280]

Actually doesn't look that bad. Usually keel repair is seriously damaged. But yours looks minor. I would apply a layer of fiberglass with the resin and after it cures, I would fair that out and see what it looks like. If you need to apply the second layer, then repeat. Once you are satisfied with the fairing to the original, then proceed with the gel coat. JMHO and I am sure others will chime in with their ideas for you to choose from... There is never just one way to do most anything...

 

[Gbell3]

Good to hear it's not too bad, and thanks for the reply! When you say layer of fiberglass and resin, are you talking about just over the gouges to fill them in? Thanks!

 

[JASinIL2006]

If you plan to beach the boat regularly (after you fix 'er up), I highly recommend a Keel Guard or a KeelShield. I have a KeelShield and it does the job.

 

[gm280]

Good to hear it's not too bad, and thanks for the reply! When you say layer of fiberglass and resin, are you talking about just over the gouges to fill them in? Thanks!

I would first mix up some thickened polyester resin with chop strand matt (1/4" size), some cabosil (fumed silica) to a paste like consistency and apply that in the gouges first and fair that in. Then apply a layer of 1708 woven fiberglass material over the area and fair that in after it cures. If the keel look good after that, then move on to gel coat. If the first layer looks like it needs another, sand it smooth and apply the second layer of 1708. But that is how I would attack the job. There are others that would maybe do things differently and may chime in with their ideas. This is just how I would do it...