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Merkava · 25-11-2017, 04:06

Thanks trifan,
Yes, I've made many KAP charts out of Google earth images and they've been great. I actually have KAP charts loaded into OpenCPN for the Chilean channels, I was just missing the one for the spot we were.... I'll go back now and make sure I have them all for the rest of the trip north to Puerto Montt. Thanks for the suggestion!
Mark

El Pinguino · 25-11-2017, 04:32

Not sure how things are progressing but PM sent with a Montt contact details, he may be able to help.

**weavis** · 25-11-2017, 04:42

After reading this thread, I think you have some local restrictions in availability of the better stuff.

First. Use only what is available to effect the repair.
Second. Treat it as a medium term repair.
Third. Do the very best you can under the advice of Minaret and Atoll-It will be good enough to get you seashape-however I think it fair to say it will require a much deeper look in due course.

That is what sailing is like in reality.

Wishing you all the best.

Merkava · 06-04-2018, 13:43

Hello everyone who helped me.

The last few weeks getting it all done in Puerto Natales was intense and I didn't get to let you all know how it turned out. We sailed for almost two months to get up here, which is Puerto Montt, before we got any internet. So it's been awhile. My apologies.

The repair went very, very well. Better than I could have ever expected with all the help I got. I'd say it was a permanent repair, the only thing I need to do when I get home is add some gelcoat and finish sand it.

The job was..... intense. Mostly because of weather. Puerto Natales is windy. Unbelievably, windy. Most days getting up over 40 knots with many, many days in the 50's, 60's, 70, and once even over 80 knots. It was the only time in my life I've seen a crescent wrench go skittering across the deck when I put it down. It was nerve wracking too as the boat shuddered in her cradle.

I ground the hole down to good fiberglass and let it drain for two months. After that there was no more water coming out so I "scheduled" back the fiberglass 12 to 14 inches making a good slope for the new fiberglass to adhere to. I talked to Arie DeClare, the man who made the Fraser 41's and he was nice enough to offer me lots of advice on how to do the repair. I went with 2 layers of CSM Mat, then one of Roving, trying to mate it with the original layers. It worked great.

All the fishermen used polyester resin and it's what the boat was originally made of, so I went with that. Getting "fancy" and doing anything with Epoxy down here is pretty tough.

All in all it was a tough job just because of the conditions and the inability to get needed supplies. I liked learning about repairing with fiberglass and seeing the job progress.

We are just about ready to head out of here direct to Hawaii. We should be home in Vancouver by the end of summer.

Thanks to everyone who pitched in and helped in a challenging situation.

Cheers for now!
Fair winds, calm seas!
Mark
SV Merkava
Puerto Montt, Chile

**Wotname** · 06-04-2018, 15:33

^^Thanks for the update, the repair looks pretty good - well done!

**atoll** · 06-04-2018, 15:43

looks good,you can always give it a couple of layers of epoxy next time you haul out if you are going to strip it back,though fairing and gelcoat will make the repair invisible to a surveyor .
have a good trip north

NYSail · 06-04-2018, 16:01

I think this is an easy fix to the keel. Big job yes indeed but fixable in my opinion. Sand down, read about fiberglassing and get it done. What I would be worried about is the structure of the boat. Check bolts, stringers, bulkheads for any signs of movement.
Good luck!