PocketShip.net

Hi Everyone:

Got the lead melted and poured into the aft and bow sections of the keel. Pages 45/46 of the manual call for a 1/2" wood 'AFT cap' to be fitted and epoxied, 'sealing up the lead and the hollow REAR section of the keel forever'. However, there is no mention of the bow compartment needing a cap. Your thoughts, suggestions, recommendations please.....

Many thanks and good luck,
Jimmy Vitale
Victory II

Sounds like your boat is progressing!

Seems as though this came up on this forum a (long) while back. I think the consensus is that there is no reason to have a cap up there. The thinking was that there was plenty of surface area for gluing up front, relative to its length, so it shouldn't be a problem. My boat doesn't have a forward cap.

I made sure to fill any air pocket in this area with epoxy thickened to a putty just to avoid any water leakeage. There's also a #10 by 2 inch stainless steel sheet metal screw that was used for clamping left in there. Watch out if you use a scew, the lead grabs the threads harder then wood does.

Chris

Jon and Chris:

Good suggestions! Many thanks. No bow cap; no screw. Will install aft cap and fill bow compartment with thickened epoxy tonight; keelson later in week. Progress here feels good after laying low all winter....

Thanks again,

Jimmy Vitale