[Paddlewise] keelguard

Philip replied:
>I'm still thinking about this. Aside from the simplicity (always appealing 
>to the lazy), the gel-coated-only strip as suggested in the online article 
>seemed to have the virtue of being coloured all the way through, so scuffs 
>wouldn't show up as much. On the other hand, you gotta think there are 
>reasons they don't build entire kayaks outta merely gelcoat impregnated 
>fibreglass. But perhaps epoxy's strength, critical in a complete boat, is 
>less vital in a keel strip, where the issue is abrasion resistance. Any 
>thoughts from the council? <

Aesthetics aside,  epoxy is always the choice for any serious 
additions/repairs, etc. That's been my observation over the decades. There 
are additives that can be mixed into the epoxy, to form a gelcoat-like 
coating, with even better abrasion resistance (they can be added to 
polyester resin too), and usually done a bit lighter for the same strength. 
There are also way more options with types of epoxy and cure rates/ 
temperature parameters.

One thing to remember is epoxy and polyester layering can normally only be 
achieved in the order of polyester first, followed by epoxy. I don't 
recommend polyester layers over epoxy due to bonding issues. Re-gelcoating 
(usually professionally sprayed on during hull restoration) shouldn't be 
done over epoxy repairs.

As far as dryers, waxes, etc, these are all fairly basic issues, but it is 
always advantageous for the first timer to play with some scrapes and 
product first, before committing to a big project.

I did mention safety issues with respect to unconventional keel strips; one 
doesn't want boat-sized product delaminating/working loose at the wrong time 
and place - especially. My own keel strip was engineered to resist sideways 
breakage by setting the full length plastic keel strip in a groove so 
sidesurfing over reefs would not dislodge it, yet leave enough of the keel 
strip proud to do its abrasion-absorption job. It bolts through to an inner 
ash keel housing stainless steel capture nylock nuts - all impervious to 
leakage even if there was a breakage. This type of keel strip is easily 
replaced with a few screws and new-strip re-drilling to match the original, 
and one of the few impervious to long dragging episodes across roads, 
tarmac, and barren wasteland :-)

E-mail me if you want an image or two from my files for your own ideation.

Doug Lloyd
Victoria BC

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"Whatever can be said at all can be said clearly and whatever cannot be said 
clearly should not be said at all."
Ludwig Wittgenstein
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