Keel prep

[peterbrumby]

Hi

I’m just cleaning up the boat thinking I have finished fibreglassing for a while. Getting ready to enjoy fairing!

Then I wondered if I should be adding some extra glass ready to take the keel plate.

i have 3 layers on already (450+450+300). I have reinforced for the rudder and dagger boards but nothing for the keel yet.

anyone else considering putting anything extra on?

cheers

Peter

[Admin]

We put one extra layer of Glass on TREKKA extending about 10cm out from the base plate all round...simply to allow extra cleaning/sanding back etc over the next 50 years of keel on and off etc...the strength is fine because of the keel floors etc so it is just for abrasion resistance long term???...but ?? ??

[peterbrumby]

Hi Don

Thanks for the note.

I think is sounds sensible. Easy to do it now while she’s still upside down.

Cheers

Peter

[jimschofield]

Hi Peter,

I'm not at that stage yet. However I was talking to my West System supplier recently, himself a boatbuilder and restorer and he mentioned that the primary area for damage on high performance racing dinghies, was the bottom pintle on the transom. He has seen pieces ripped out of the transom bottom due to sudden huge pressures from the rudder, especially when badly sailed ! He therefore always reinforces that area really well, as I will.

Another thought and question for Don.

How about making the top plate of the keel flat, and not following the hull curve, fairing the area flat ? It would simpilfy making the keel and even make them interchangeable?

Sorry Don !!

[Admin]

Nov 6, 2020 0:40:11 GMT jimschofield said:

Hi Peter,

I'm not at that stage yet. However I was talking to my West System supplier recently, himself a boatbuilder and restorer and he mentioned that the primary area for damage on high performance racing dinghies, was the bottom pintle on the transom. He has seen pieces ripped out of the transom bottom due to sudden huge pressures from the rudder, especially when badly sailed ! He therefore always reinforces that area really well, as I will.

Another thought and question for Don.

How about making the top plate of the keel flat, and not following the hull curve, fairing the area flat ? It would simpilfy making the keel and even make them interchangeable?

Sorry Don !!

NO! you would never put the base plate on simple faring medium...but secondly the hull rocker is TOTALY SIMPLE to build in the keel...the CNC file cuts the exact rocker of the hull in the top of the fin...and with included fitting tabs...so all you do then is PUSH the base plate down onto the FIN...so your rocker is formed? ..it is that simple! ...and you spot weld that in position..then weld fully....no builder is going to build the hull so badly that your not going to get the hull rocker matching...it is basically impossible...so don't worry about building the keel to fit as a problem...it will fit perfectly and your sealer will take up the slight imperfections...so good luck

[peterbrumby]

Hi Jim

Thanks for the idea on the transom.

I have reinforced with one layer of 450g (or was it 600!!) where the rudder, skeg and dagger boards should be. Should be depending on my “measurements” ; )

The transom to hull joint was taped with two layers of glass as per the spec, and I have overlapped between the hull and transom on each of my three layers of glass.

I’m kinda hoping that will be “meaty” enough. I think that’s a nautical term.

I think your comment is accurate though. I had a note from a mate with an old 6.5 mini. Sailing off south coast UK, got hit by a wave and it broke one of his rudder brackets. Yes it had suffered from some fatigue with age, however I think it illustrates your point about unforeseen pressures.

Still learning!!

Cheers

[jimschofield]

Thank you, good to know.

The build is getting simpler as I go on, better than expected !

Now, where do I lay my hands on the Keel CNC file ?

Also, is there any update on the stainless steel pack, just to have the strip for the bow, when the time comes ?


Jim

[captdan]

Nov 6, 2020 9:23:59 GMT jimschofield said:

Thank you, good to know.

The build is getting simpler as I go on, better than expected !

Now, where do I lay my hands on the Keel CNC file ?

Also, is there any update on the stainless steel pack, just to have the strip for the bow, when the time comes ?


Jim

Hey Jim,
Just ask Don for the keel file. He will email it to you.
I talked to Jane about an update on the delivery of the stainless steel bits and she said they were being polished this week. She was going to send me a message when they were ready to ship. My guess is next week .....

Cheers !