Subject: major problem (Wooden Boat Keel)
Date: Thu, 12 Nov 1998

I have just discovered that the keel of my 62 36ft Chris Craft has started to split...no doubt the result of being on blocks for several years....I've been told that this is to expensive of a repair and that I should have the boat glassed......what do you think?

Charles

Charles,

Split wood is not a major problem, considering the capabilities of modern epoxies. Our All Wood Glue, for example, is about the strongest epoxy you can buy, has a long pot life, and remains slightly flexible after curing -- just like the wood it's replacing. If the wood is clean and dry, the glue will do the job. The glue is actually stronger than the wood, and the wood will fracture elsewhere before the glue/wood joint breaks. You just gotta use the right stuff and under the right conditions. You can use bolt/screws as well if necessary. This is a far, far better solution than glassing the boat.

People far more experienced than I am are opposed to glassing old wood boats, and I share their opposition. There are many, many things that can go wrong and usually do. Judicious use of epoxies, including our Clear Penetrating Epoxy Sealer (CPES), can help solve many of the old-wood-boat problems, as well as the traditional methods of wood replacement, bolts and screws.

If you get into the repairs using epoxies, come back and I will give you what advice I can.

Doc