Ice reinforcement for a northern voyage

Would it make sense for a fiberglass sailboat to add plating on the bow running down below the waterline some, and then run a wide but thinner gauge band along the sides at the waterline for protection if one were to be navigating the Labrador coast in June/July/August? The bow plate would be like they do on some for protecting against the anchor, but covering the entire bow and a foot or so below the waterline.

 

There is less ice than usual so it may not be a problem. What conditions are you expecting in summer? A thin plate may help some with abrasion, but won't do much for ice flows crushing a hull or impact protection. Think of the Titanic.

 

What kind of material are you plan to use ?

 

From my reading on the recent trip of the Schooner Bowdoin I would expect not that much at least in July, but am worried for even the small pieces causing damage to the gelcoat or fiberglass beneath.

 

The plating the locals put down is for the skin ice that forms on calm cold days... not likely in June July or August. Having watched and subscribed to their trade journals since early 2000s. You don't see a lot of cladding going on like you did 20 years ago, think it's because the locals don't seal anymore.

If you're worried about big chunks, probably better radar and binoculars.

 

I had thought about 3/8" thick stainless for the bow, then a belt of maybe 1/4" aluminum at the waterline.

 

Thanks for the input, I should be okay then without the extra protection.

 

I’ve not experienced sea ice, but some f/w in aluminum skiff. Larger pieces melt on top and are submerged below the w/l. You can’t do much about them but hard right rudder.

I don’t see great value in plating the entire hull wl. But a cutwater and some forward makes good sense. Sheet ice tends to ride upwards.

The main thing I’ve done is slow way down, but keeping enough momentum to keep breaking it.

Always a bit scary getting stuck..

Good luck. Sounds fun.

 

It's the old protection vs prevention conundrum. If you were poking around in the winter that is a different story.

To attach some 316 to the bow and aluminum along the waterline is going to require some form of attachment. Your going to be probably poking holes to bolt or screw things on. The stainless is probably fairly easy to bolt on, but aluminum isn't super long lived when affixed to a boat at the waterline. Even a good marine grade aluminum sitting right above and right below (the main issue with catastrophic abrasion is at the waterline witb skin ice). Is gonna struggle fairly quickly with galvanic issues.

It's worth the effort for guys going in and out of ice regions on the regular. But it's a lot of effort for a June July and August trip.

 

That is a bad combination. Stainless and aluminum create a galvanic cell. The aluminum will corrode in short time. Also, forming metal is not easy. You either use an english wheel or a hammer and shot bag. You may be better off laminating a few layers of roving over the hull.

 

Keel Guard Self Adhesive Polymer Keel Protector https://www.wholesalemarine.com/keel-guard-self-adhesive-polymer-keel-protector/
For single trip , maybe something like this ?