Leaderboard

On my Spindrift I'm using some PVC extrusion which I found in the hardware store- the channel section happened to bea perfect fit on the keel. It's just epoxied in place, with one screw at the forward end where it wanted to lift. It was very very cheap and adds almost no weight, but it won't take much abuse. But even if it does fail, there's now a layer of thickened epoxy underneath so I'm not too worried. I try not to drag the boat about anyway.

I used solid bronze, drilled the holes myself. I bedded it in BoatLife LifeCaulk as I wanted to be able to remove it easily, which I have done once. The fasteners have plenty of purchase to hold it in place. UHMW plastic would work well. So would a thin strip of hardwood, it can be sacrificial. Some just do nothing and add a strip of hardwood when the wear dictates this is a good idea. I used brass on my kayaks, I see no reason not to use this on your 2 Paw. If you can build it, you can repair or modify it.

For a 22’ boat I used hollowback (half oval) stainless steel pre drilled. I bedded it in 3M 5200. Twenty years and it is in great condition, no bending or deflection even where it rides on the front keel roller. TACO marine product. I purchased through Jamestown, but you might get it locally through West Marine or other. Shipping costs will affect your length/source choices. I have used narrow brass stem bands, solid and oval back, on canoe stems. They look nice but don’t have the strength of the stainless steel I used on the bigger boat. On a tangent, I just completed a wood strip kayak. I used 1” kevlar band for the stems and for the outside hull-deck joint. Too soon to give an assessment, but it is definitely tough.

Good advice. Thanks

All of my boats took about 1.3 quarts of oil based paint. I thinned the first coat approximately 10%. I suggest you compare the price of 2 quarts to 1 gallon and decide from that.

What a relief it must be to be home with Lula. #&%@!@&** vehicles. At least your sailboat will be much more reliable.

Aiieeee… ? Always nice to find some grace in the midst of… well, however one characterizes your kind of recent experience. And to see grace from others it’s helpful to choose grace for one’s own self in the midst of the frustration… at least after reasonably managed cathartic expression of the frustration (if needed ?). It’s refreshing to hear your travel story as travel stories these days are way too full of angry people. Glad to hear things are coming together… at least eventually. And, yeah, the boat looks great on the trailer. (And even a better complement, my wife said Lula looks really pretty.) ?

I have had great luck with this stuff. I spray anything that looks scratched or starting to rust.