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The Situation
The leading edge of a boat is referred to as the “keel”. The keel is located in the middle of the boat’s hull and is measured from the bow to the stern of the boat. The keel serves as the foundation or spine of the boat and is the central source of structural support for the hull.
Many boats are constructed using gel coating reinforced with fiberglass. Often these boats are prone to damage from floating debris such as logs and old pilings. Damage can also occur when beaching a boat on a gravel or rocky shore. Once the fiberglass coating on the keel has been chipped or damaged, water can leak through the hull and into the boat. Repairs can range from $800 to $2,500. If not repaired these weak areas in the hull it can cause serious structural damage to the boat.
The Solution
LINE-X can repair a chipped or damaged hull by using a recreational protective coating the affected area, in this case the keel, with XS100. XS-100 is the same tough and durable material used in a LINE-X Spray-On Truck Bedliner. Its excellent adhesion to gel coated fiberglass makes it ideal for this application.
LINE-X prepared the boat keel in a manner similar to a truck bed. The area of the boat hull that did not require LINE-X was masked off for protection. The centreline of the boat was used as a reference point to begin masking off the area to be sprayed. Once the area was properly prepped, LINE-X was sprayed in one continuous strip from the top of the bow to the stern of the boat.
The Results
The LINE-X application is an excellent solution for gel coated fiberglass boat hulls. More than one customer has testified how LINE-X saved their boat from major damage and high repair costs. Customers like the efficiency of the LINE-X applicators, making repairs quickly but correctly to limit the amount of time the boat was out of the water.
Customers recognize the LINE-X brand and feel safe knowing that they now have a long lasting and high impact resistant coating protecting the bottom of their boat. They also enjoy the aesthetic appearance of the LINE-X application. Boat owners also appreciate the cost-effective solution that LINE-X presents. The application of XS-100 on a boat keel can save time and money, particularly from costly repairs to the hull itself or lengthy repairs made at a marina.
