Following a grounding incident in Kiel that caused structural damage to the skeg and rudder of a sailing vessel, a technical intervention was carried out to restore the boat’s safety and hydrodynamic performance.
The process began with opening the affected area using a router, exposing the damaged laminate and preparing clean surfaces for lamination. To ensure maximum mechanical strength, a scarf joint was executed — creating a gradual transition between the original material and the new reinforcement layers.
Structural reconstruction was carried out by laminating successive layers of fibreglass infused with epoxy resin, ensuring a strong chemical bond over the existing polyester laminate. In the final stage, the original skeg form was rebuilt using profiled epoxy filler, restoring the appendage’s precise hydrodynamic geometry and a watertight surface ready for the antifouling paint scheme.