Posted by brian johnson on
URL: https://forum.seahawk17.org.uk/Keel-Problem-tp4024550p4024552.html

Hi Stuart
It looks like someone has seriously battered the top of the keel in an attempt to force it out.  My advice is to lift the boat - I used a tractor with a front loader - and rest it on a couple of tonne bags of grain or sand.  It worked for me - I was able to get the keel out by removing the large swing bolt, freeing the keel using an old handsaw to pull out the rust from underneath, and then taking the whole plate to my local sand blasters who cleaned it up for £20.   I then painted it with 4 coats of epoxy tar paint and reinstalled it using a stainless bolt and side plates.  It's been fine for 5 years sailing in Lyme Bay and Cornwall.   You may have to grind the sides of the battered top to get it through the slot in the top plate.  Fit a new strop - if the old one breaks the keel could badly damage the front of the keel box.  
Brian