Bill, I think you're not considering the entire situation. This is a
trailer boat that I'm making a guess is under 21 ft since it only has
one bunk on each side. It's a 94 which makes it 12 years old. I'm
swagging a guess that it's worth somewhere between $6k and $10k. To
restore the front of the keel to the original condition would probably
cost way more than is reasonable. What I suggested is not far from
what they would do except a shop would be able to replace the missing
gelcoat with gelcoat. Gelcoat is tricky to work with where as epoxy
paint is relatively fool proof. For a diy'er epoxy paint is much more
reliable that gelcoat. The keel guard is because there is no way
without a whole lot of work it is going to look as smooth as the rest
of the gelcoat on the boat. The keel guard takes care of the
cosmetics. If this was a $100k cruiser then it would be a different
situation.

Bill Kearney wrote:
I really don't want to spead alot of $$$$ repairing it. But i will have
someone look at it...

That's the best idea yet. Do not just half-ass it with some epoxy and
keelguard. Do it the right way. If you don't and your crappy attempt fails
you risk having it sink. It won't seem like much of a bargain to have the
whole boat be a total loss. And insurance won't take to kindly to an
amateur job being at fault.

I really just noticed it now.. Dunno how long it's been like that. Guess
I
should pay more attention.. (all things i learn having my first boat)... I
never beach it. The roller was worn through in the middle but i don't
know
if that would cause that much damage..

What, worn through to the metal beneath it? Uh, YEAH, that'd be a problem!

Bite the bullet and get the job done right. Boats teach expensive lessons.

-Bill Kearney

Yeah, there's certainly some truth to the notion of 'good money after bad'.

For me the question would be how to minimize future expense and risks. I'd
hate to have a worst-case scenario come up. Like a poor repair job allowing
water infiltration that causes significant weakening of the keel. Weaking
that would allow sudden failure to sink the boat. Perhaps from impact with
somethat that a decent repair would handle without incident. Or just
catastrophic failure while underway at speed.

So I'd balance between what it'd cost to the job done right, selling the
boat as is, or calculating the risk of what a temporary repair job (being
kind) might incur.

But you make a good point.

-Bill Kearney



"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
oups.com...
Bill, I think you're not considering the entire situation. This is a
trailer boat that I'm making a guess is under 21 ft since it only has
one bunk on each side. It's a 94 which makes it 12 years old. I'm
swagging a guess that it's worth somewhere between $6k and $10k. To
restore the front of the keel to the original condition would probably
cost way more than is reasonable. What I suggested is not far from
what they would do except a shop would be able to replace the missing
gelcoat with gelcoat. Gelcoat is tricky to work with where as epoxy
paint is relatively fool proof. For a diy'er epoxy paint is much more
reliable that gelcoat. The keel guard is because there is no way
without a whole lot of work it is going to look as smooth as the rest
of the gelcoat on the boat. The keel guard takes care of the
cosmetics. If this was a $100k cruiser then it would be a different
situation.

Imho water intrusion is a lot less of an issue on a trailer boat than
it is on boats that live in slip. It's not in the water for any great
length of time. Epoxies are good sealers and if applied with
reasonable care to a dried surface should provide adequate intrusion
protection for a boat that does not live in the water except when being
used. The boat is required to meet the cg flotation requirement based
on it's year and the size. It won't sink, it will just fill with
water. Not that that's not a royal pain in the ass if it happens. Also
it's been my observation that the keel on that type of boat tends to be
thick because typically the polester is sprayed in the mold and tends
to fill behind the keel protrusion. It would be worth a close
examination of the immediate area to see if it flexes excessively or
not. That could change the plan.

Bill Kearney wrote:
Yeah, there's certainly some truth to the notion of 'good money after bad'.

For me the question would be how to minimize future expense and risks. I'd
hate to have a worst-case scenario come up. Like a poor repair job allowing
water infiltration that causes significant weakening of the keel. Weaking
that would allow sudden failure to sink the boat. Perhaps from impact with
somethat that a decent repair would handle without incident. Or just
catastrophic failure while underway at speed.

So I'd balance between what it'd cost to the job done right, selling the
boat as is, or calculating the risk of what a temporary repair job (being
kind) might incur.

But you make a good point.

-Bill Kearney



"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
oups.com...
Bill, I think you're not considering the entire situation. This is a
trailer boat that I'm making a guess is under 21 ft since it only has
one bunk on each side. It's a 94 which makes it 12 years old. I'm
swagging a guess that it's worth somewhere between $6k and $10k. To
restore the front of the keel to the original condition would probably
cost way more than is reasonable. What I suggested is not far from
what they would do except a shop would be able to replace the missing
gelcoat with gelcoat. Gelcoat is tricky to work with where as epoxy
paint is relatively fool proof. For a diy'er epoxy paint is much more
reliable that gelcoat. The keel guard is because there is no way
without a whole lot of work it is going to look as smooth as the rest
of the gelcoat on the boat. The keel guard takes care of the
cosmetics. If this was a $100k cruiser then it would be a different
situation.

Thank you all for your help.... After hearing all advice and help, and
speaking with a few people locally, I plan on using an EPOXY RESIN (3-4
coats) then putting a keel gaurd on... I was told that if i use a Gelcoat it
is not as strong/durable but I will get the gloss finish...Any suggetions on
that?
"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
ups.com...
Imho water intrusion is a lot less of an issue on a trailer boat than
it is on boats that live in slip. It's not in the water for any great
length of time. Epoxies are good sealers and if applied with
reasonable care to a dried surface should provide adequate intrusion
protection for a boat that does not live in the water except when being
used. The boat is required to meet the cg flotation requirement based
on it's year and the size. It won't sink, it will just fill with
water. Not that that's not a royal pain in the ass if it happens. Also
it's been my observation that the keel on that type of boat tends to be
thick because typically the polester is sprayed in the mold and tends
to fill behind the keel protrusion. It would be worth a close
examination of the immediate area to see if it flexes excessively or
not. That could change the plan.

Bill Kearney wrote:
Yeah, there's certainly some truth to the notion of 'good money after
bad'.

For me the question would be how to minimize future expense and risks.
I'd
hate to have a worst-case scenario come up. Like a poor repair job
allowing
water infiltration that causes significant weakening of the keel.
Weaking
that would allow sudden failure to sink the boat. Perhaps from impact
with
somethat that a decent repair would handle without incident. Or just
catastrophic failure while underway at speed.

So I'd balance between what it'd cost to the job done right, selling the
boat as is, or calculating the risk of what a temporary repair job (being
kind) might incur.

But you make a good point.

-Bill Kearney



"jamesgangnc" wrote in message
oups.com...
Bill, I think you're not considering the entire situation. This is a
trailer boat that I'm making a guess is under 21 ft since it only has
one bunk on each side. It's a 94 which makes it 12 years old. I'm
swagging a guess that it's worth somewhere between $6k and $10k. To
restore the front of the keel to the original condition would probably
cost way more than is reasonable. What I suggested is not far from
what they would do except a shop would be able to replace the missing
gelcoat with gelcoat. Gelcoat is tricky to work with where as epoxy
paint is relatively fool proof. For a diy'er epoxy paint is much more
reliable that gelcoat. The keel guard is because there is no way
without a whole lot of work it is going to look as smooth as the rest
of the gelcoat on the boat. The keel guard takes care of the
cosmetics. If this was a $100k cruiser then it would be a different
situation.

Thank you all for your help.... After hearing all advice and help, and
speaking with a few people locally

Yeah, really do get some quotes from folks that actually do these sorts of
repairs for a living. No sense getting more work done than needed, or doing
less than is safe.