CS 20 keel batten

[Noklin]

I installed the keel batten in a bed of epoxy. The plans do not indicate that fiber glassing it is required (unless I just miss it). I hope to use and trailer the boat many miles over the next several years. Is it necessary or advisable to fiberglass it. What are other people doing?

[Joe Nelson CS#35]

I fiberglassed the floor of my boat, so I also ran a piece along the top of the keel plank. It is not structural...simply to keep it from checking and add a bit of non skid to the bottom surface. I didn't fill the weave any more than necessary to wet out the glass. Has a nice textured feel to it. I kinda like it as a non skid surface. I would consider it on the decks of a larger boat. It is painted.

[Designer]

I never intended the keel batten to be glassed but you can if you want.

[Ken_Potts]

I'm glad to hear it wasn't intended to be glassed - I bedded mine in thickened epoxy and filleted the inside corners (my fillets are probably too big but that shouldn't hurt).

[Kidd]

I just plopped mine into a big pile of goo and smoothed it off at the corners.

[JeffM]

I don't have any glass on my interior except in the forepeak--insurance against holing. I have floorboards in both fore and aft cockpits that are meant to be converted to bunks, but I've found I like having a flat floor in both places, so I leave them in full-time. As a consequence, not much of my batten is exposed to foot traffic.

[mustangermatt]

I glassed the interior because I used fir and it checks if you don't. Also I drop things alot, the glass/epoxy prevents dents :-)