Sailing Yabá · video

What this video covers

Ben and his team install a 45-foot sacrificial keel on the wooden hull of Yabá to protect the primary structure from shipworm damage.0:18 The sacrificial keel consists of five-centimeter-thick wooden planks fastened directly to the bottom of the existing keel.0:34 Before installation, the crew marks the locations of existing through-bolts to avoid drilling into them.4:56 They plug an exposed through-bolt hole with epoxy and sand it flush to ensure a clean mounting surface.6:31 To gain access to the keel, the team uses jacks and wedges to shift the boat's support stands, allowing them to work in sections.8:44 They apply a thick layer of epoxy tar to the mating surfaces of the planks and the hull before drilling and screwing the wood into place.9:55 The process requires moving support stands repeatedly to accommodate the full length of the planks.12:39 Installing a sacrificial layer allows for easier maintenance and replacement if wood-boring organisms penetrate the outer surface.0:28

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