12.18
The keel was broken up into sections for this build, the theory being if there ever was a need to repair the laminate and underlying material, it would be easier to just exhume a section that had become water damaged than replace the entire length. Bedding the sections in hull & deck putty gave us a strong purchase point as well as removing any air voids that would otherwise have been trapped between the hull and keel material.
Sectioned Keel
This was done by using strips of 1.5 oz mat on each side, overlapping at the top of the keel itself, wetting them out and then applying full length strips of 1708 tapes down over the keel and onto the hull, stepping the layers out to get a solid bond. The transom received its own unique layup. Using 1708 tapes, we went from the starboard gunnel to the port in full length strips, again stepping them out over each other to give a smoother edge as well as a better chemical bond. After this a layer of mat followed by two layers of 1708 saturated with vinylester resin and slowly bubble busted to remove every trace of air. It took longer than anticipated but working straight through from morning to night non-stop produced a work of art.
A keel haul wouldn't be so bad
Bulletproof
Time to let things cure. The holidays are approaching and other things come into the spotlight.
Happy Holidays.
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