Boat Building Forum

Find advice on all aspects of building your own kayak, canoe or any lightweight boats

Keel Strips
By:Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks
Date: 3/2/2018, 5:18 pm
In Response To: Strip: Debating over hull glass (Paul Harker)

I always go with extra layers of glass along the keel line. While glass is not as abrasion resistant as some synthetics, I find that 3 layers of 4 ounce e-glass will take years to wear through even with quite rough handling. By the time it wears through all sorts of other refinishing projects are over due.

I am not a fan of added keel strips that stick proud of the hull surface. For example the glass-tape and gelcoat abominations many people add to glass boats. The biggest source of drag for a boat moving through the water is frictional drag. A rough or uneven rub strip along the keel can add substantially to the frictional drag of the boat. Even if the surface of the strip itself is sanded perfectly smooth, a sudden surface change created by the edge of a rub strip will disrupt laminar flow adding a shocking amount of drag, they can also meaningfully effect the turning performance and maneuverability of the design.

I make a point of blending any additional layers smoothly into the bottom shape to maintain a fair and clean surface which minimizes any residual drag added to the hull shape. These extra glass layers tend to wear away smoothly and take years to wear through. Personally, I think a scratched up glass bottom looks better than synthetic strips stuck to the clear glass surface.

A couple extra layers of glass can provide years of protection and nobody need ever know they are there.

Messages In This Thread

Strip: Debating over hull glass
Paul Harker -- 3/1/2018, 3:05 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Paul Harker -- 3/1/2018, 3:20 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
JohnAbercrombie -- 3/1/2018, 3:46 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Paul Harker -- 3/1/2018, 4:27 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
anewhouse -- 3/1/2018, 8:27 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
JayBabina -- 3/2/2018, 6:59 am
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Rob Macks /Laughing Loon CC&K -- 3/2/2018, 9:04 am
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
JohnAbercrombie -- 3/2/2018, 12:12 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Rob Macks/Laughing Loon CC&K -- 3/2/2018, 4:19 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Dan Caouette (CSCWC) -- 3/2/2018, 4:42 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Paul Harker -- 3/2/2018, 2:28 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
anewhouse -- 3/1/2018, 3:57 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Howie II -- 3/1/2018, 5:26 pm
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Paul G Sylvester -- 3/2/2018, 3:01 am
Re: Strip: Debating over hull glass
Etienne Muller -- 3/2/2018, 12:55 pm
Keel Strips
Nick Schade - Guillemot Kayaks -- 3/2/2018, 5:18 pm