steve
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Posts: 4
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Post by steve on Jan 25, 2010 18:36:41 GMT
I have a Foxterrier drop keel cruiser which I am planning to use for coastal cruising / racing.
I am looking at ways of sealing the keel case to prevent flooding through the case in the event of a knockdown.
I have been told that some E-boat owners seal the keel case by using rubber glued to the underside of the keel pan to provide a seal when the keel is lowered.
Any information regarding the type of rubber used and if just a strip is placed around the keel pan or a full gasket used would be appreciated from any owners of similar drop keel boats that have used this method of sealing up a keel case.
Thanks, Steve
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Post by Matt on Jan 26, 2010 13:46:05 GMT
In my experience, it is extremely difficult to lay a foxterrier on it's side. Even putting way too much sail up in stupid winds, it remains very very stable. In five years of racing my Fox terrier hard, we have only been knocked down once, and that was because the tiller extension came off in a 35 knot gust whilst running under spinnaker! If I were you, I wouldn't bother and spend your money on some tape to tape the tiller extension on if the forecast is bad as we now do!!!
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rowan
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Post by rowan on Jan 26, 2010 15:20:14 GMT
I'm in the middle of sealing keel case on my Harrier which I think has the same keel/ case as the foxterrier. The keel case has to be sealed to meet Cat 4 regs which seems to be what most race organisers are expecting boats to meet this year. I don't think the E-boat method would work because the hole in the hull is bigger than the top of the keel and it all flopped out when I tried it. I've put a seal around the table moulding that sits in the top of the keel case, and am in the process of fitting 4 barrel bolts to hold it tight down. No idea if its water tight, but it looks like it might be which is what matters.
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steve
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Post by steve on Jan 26, 2010 18:20:46 GMT
My thanks to Matt & Rowan for posting a reply.
Matt - It's comforting to know that the boat is so stable even in strong winds, I've not had the boat long so not had much experience yet of sailing her in strong winds, I have to say it does sail very well for a 22 foot boat.
Rowan - The Harrier and Foxterrier keel case are very similar, what type of seal did you use to seal the table moulding as I will give it a try.
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rowan
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Post by rowan on Jan 27, 2010 13:09:45 GMT
I've used some self adhesive neopreme strip I got from Clarke's Tools, they sell it as seal for there vacuum forming machines. This appeared to be ideal. When you squash it between your fingers it's quite squishy, but when you try to compress the best part of 2m length of it as you push the table down it becomes pretty tough stuff. I intend to have a go with some softer draught insulator from B&Q, but I'm open to any ideas. On a different note, have you ever undone the keel bolts. On mine the top of the studs and nuts looked fine, but where the studs pass through the top box they were nearly rusted through!
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steve
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Posts: 4
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Post by steve on Jan 27, 2010 18:49:36 GMT
Have not checked the keel bolts yet as not had the boat that long. As with yours the top of the studs and nuts look fine but now you have rung an alarm bell I will get them checked before the boat goes back in the water. When you say they are nearly rusted through are you talking of the thread or the complete stud as mine are about 25mm - 30mm dia. Is enough left of the stud to get it out of the keel?
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rowan
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Post by rowan on Jan 28, 2010 9:40:20 GMT
Nearly rusted through was perhaps an exaggeration. As you say the studs are about 30mm, but as I undid the nut, most of the thread fell apart and came away. I re cut a new 25mm thread on the stud and put on new nuts. However, the part of the stud which passed through the GRP tray on top of the keel was in worse condition, maybe down to 15mm diameter. The studs are cast into the keel so drilling them out and replacing them would mean getting the keel to an engineering shop. Water has got to the studs because the sealant between the keel and top tray had degraded over time. Even if your studs are fine it might be worth reseatting the top box on the keel to avoid future problems. I'm still using the boat with the dodgy studs, and the keel hasn't fallen off yet, but I am in the middle of making a new lead keel to replace it. I've seen a couple of Harrier's for sale with "keel studs recently replaced" as a selling point, so I'm not the only one to have this problem.
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