Adding Bow and Stern Keel Line Rubstrips | | This article is about how I added keel line rubstrips at bow and stern for abbrasion resistance. | | After using my Chesapeake 18 kayak for a few weeks after building it, the keel line at both bow and stern had been worn down to bare wood, through the paint, epoxy and fiberglass. I only used one layer of fiberglass, which did not hold up to the pebble-covered long island north shore beaches. So to rememdy the problem, I ordered a CLC rubstrip kit, which included strips of dynel fabric and a can of graphite powder. As you can see in the image, I added the strips to the hull. It was a quick job so I could keep using the boat, I still need to refinish the hull. the strips held up well though. | |  | | For my new Chesapeake double, I wanted to fix the problem before it began, so I am adding rubstrips now, right after glassing the hull. I added strips of bias cut glass cloth at bow and stern. Bias cut means that you cut the glass at a 45 degree angle to the weave of the cloth, as opposed to perpendicular. I think this helps with fraying, but what it really helped with was rounding the edge of the keel line at the bow, and moreso, the stern. | |  | The curve at the stern is tight, and when I tried to get the 3 inch roll fiberglass cloth to lay over it, I got wrinkles along the edges. Another advantage to the bias cut cloth is that the edge of the roll leaves a bump because of the way it is woven. The bias cut cloth will be easier to feather in for a smooth finish.
I added 2 strips at the stern, which means 3 layers of glass there total. I cut the cloth from leftover edge trimmings after glassing the hull. This should provide ample abrasion resistance, and require less frequent repairs, although I"m sure I will build it up each time I repaint the hull. | |  | | Regarding the graphite powder, I did add it to my Chesapeake 18 when I did the repair, but I am not going to add it to this boat. I have heard that it provides better abbrasion resistance, but the blackness won"t look so good with the hull painted the way I"m going to paint it, so I"ll leave it off this time. The extra glass should be enough. | | |
Thanks for Visiting!
|
|