the last couple inches is just added on
Found the ones i want ya all to see-- all the way up to where the prop cut out for an inboard (filled in on 350) it appears that the last 2-3" is just added on. I can see clear through it in a couple places! This is under the gel coat. Guess there really isn't much going on up high, filling the gap 'tween rudder shaft and the mold--except down where the shoe attaches! Gonna tie it all together when it warms up some more.
rubber rudder and hell of a heel
Right ON Capt Fossil.
Have we ever seen a rubber covered rudder befor???
Now THERE is stepping out into the expanding unknown! Whatza matter with that?...looks great.
If you want to harden it up, don't know that you NEED to, Maybe some of this underwater high-build epoxy primer would firm it up. At least so you'ld have something to sand down to when you renewed your bottom at its first haulout (2005...2006...2007???)
Otherwise, I, for one, would really like to know how well it lives underwater as a coating.
Looks to me, sitting down here in the Bay Area, that your fix of Pearson's Fontanel is A-! Perfect. That little ole shoe got a whole yard of good stuff to hang on to Now! Professor, when you publish your paper on your method remember to post what journal has it!
I have a single 6 foot 1/8" thick 1 1/2" wide aluminum batten from the hardware store that is great for fairing. Lay it flat on the boat and take you reading as to what has to be build up or taken off, never fails.
I've also gotten to really like West Systems 407 fairing compound. I understand but do not know from experience that it is ok to use uinder water. It works great with my personal laminating epoxy as a fairing compound and makes fairing by longboarding very professional. I have used it to fair the area you are working on.
Faired 338 in the same keel area with a 1/4" ply board 18" long and 3" wide. 3" is the belt material I use. I use 36 grit all the time. I put two 3" pieces of 1 inch or 1 1/4" clothes-pole near each end of the ply piece, screwing directly thrru the center of the dowels thru the bottom of the ply strip with a single Grabber. Actually thru the dowels into the handle, the screws are loose in the the short pieces. The handle cinches tight to the base. I use a simular, if not the same dowell as a handle suspended over the cross dowels. First creating coves where one dowell meets tother, usually in the small ones - and the handle is secure - while the ply piece can pivot slightly where the dowels are spiked to the plywood.
This is a stiff longboard, but it works good down on the straight runs of the keel. I use it also for fairing the more rounded areas of the hull. You can l;et it float over the work by holding it at the center, or bear down at the ends to remove material.
Double sided carpet tape keeps the sanding belt material on good enough to allow easy replacement. Which you oughta do as soon as it looses its sharp. The carpet tape should have the cloth interior (3M?) so you have something to grab on to when you strip it off the plywood. It'll take wood off too! But by then you merely replace the ply and the screws anyway. Piece of cake.
Happy it came out so well. Hosanna! Ave Maria