Keel Questions

[Noklin]

I am making several assumptions that I wanted someone to validate.

On the materials pages, it shows the keel is 5/4"x4 solid wood. On the Hull Interior Construction Plan is shows the keel is to be shaped from 1" stock. On the Keel Fitting Plan it shows keel stock as 3/4"x1 1/2".

I assume that the 5/4" stock is correct.

The Keel Fitting Plans talks about cutting a V notch in the bottom of the keel to fit the hull. The Centerboard Trunk & Aft Mast Step Construction Plan states to plane a flat on bottom of hull to accept keel.

I assume that either method would be fine but since I have already covered the hull in glass, putting a V notch in the bottom of the keel would appear to be the best way to mount the keel.

[Howard]

Not sure which boat you are building, but the keel on my Spindrift 10N was made from 5/4 treated lumber. I notched or "hollowed" out the interface so it would sit upright on the V hull (mine had also been taped and glassed before the keel went on). Basically runners down each side of the V so the keel will sit upright while the epoxy that holds it in place and fills the gap between them sets up. Obviously, if the glass has setup, you are going to have to do a heavy scuff sand to give it some tooth for a mechanical bond.  Mine was also screwed in place from the inside and I also added a fillet of epoxy and tape down each side. I don't think there is any firm, set rule regarding the size and shape of the keel. From the pictures I've seen, they are all similar but all slightly different. I'm almost certain that pictures of one of the boats that came on the photo CD even used 2x stock.

If I was going to do anything different with my keel on a new build, I'd skip the metal rub strip on the bottom of the keel and go with Tom Lathrop's epoxy impregnated rope trick for my keel protection.

[Noklin]

Thanks, Howard

Sorry I forgot to state that I am building a CS20.

[BryanLee]

"Tom Lathrop's epoxy impregnated rope trick" Sounds interesting, I tried searching here and on google, but did not turn up anything. Can you point me to more information on this idea? I am going to be adding the keel to my spindrift 11N soon.

Thanks!

Bryan

[Randy C.]

Bryan,

Go to Core Sound17 #221 page 12.

Randy C.

[BryanLee]

Thanks Randy! Found it, and it's very interesting. Will definitely have to think about a possible keel application on my spindrift.

Bryan