Reply To: Keel protection options

Gary, Mark Jarvis knows exactly how to fit keel shoes. I've watched him do it. Best ask him. If you can't, it's roughly like this: (1) use 2 inch thick hard wood NOT ply – the latter will not last (2) jack up boat (cradle supports were available at m/hull world) – only support at bulkeads – can tell where these are by tapping the hull (3) lay wood under keel, draw round shape (4) Cut out shape (5) Lightly criss cross the the top of the shoe – the bit that will bond to the keel – with 5 mm or so groves to allow better bond grip and some flex in the shoe (6) Cover with sikka (7) partially lover boat onto setting bond so as to keep a sikka bed of 5-10 mm thickness between shoe and keel – ie do not squich it all out of the join, so to speak. (8) trim off excess bead when set (9) Trim/sand/shape keel shoe – usually at the forward part so that it is hydro- dynamic (10) lower boat when cured, do the other side. I have seen s/steel shoes – expensive. Wood easiest. Don't drill any holes to hold anything through the keel – an an unnecessary risk and future maintenance hassle.