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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Capri 25 Specific Forum

Removing the keel

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/24/2007 : 12:06:19

So, has anyone removed their keel?

Any tips, pictures or caveats?

Thanks.

Rick

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2007 : 18:25:04

Rick,

With all of your recent listings in the Swap meet and with you now wanting keel removal advice, I'm beginning to think you are trying to sell your boat one piece at a time?

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/24/2007 : 18:35:22

hate to pay the shipping on that lead

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existentialsailor
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1180 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2007 : 06:14:46

Nope Don, just going to put her on a slip instead of a mooring. Making a few other changes to make sail handling easier for my wife. Never race and don't plan to so a race sail is a unneeded.

Getting the keel back on will be the bigger of the tricks.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2007 : 08:40:33

I remember reading about a swing to wing conversion but can't seem to find it when I searched. Thought it might be helpful here. Anybody remember it or was it a mid-winter hallucination?

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Ericson33
Admiral

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USA
892 Posts

Response Posted - 03/25/2007 : 16:26:35

Rick,

I have not removed the keel on our boat, so the information I provide may be not the correct way of doing it, but I think that I read about somewhere and will try and give as much info as possible.

First I would build a crate for the keel to rest in. I would use some 2x4s and 2x12 to support the weight of the keel. I would want to be able to get the boat up high enough so you can get the keel off of the ground but still be supported by the cradle. I would also want some kind of sled under the cradle so you can take the keel out from under the boat when removed. You are going to have to let the keel down low enough so the keel bolts will drop free from the hull. I am thinking a 2 ton jack should do the trick.

I would take a blade and try and cut as much of the 5200 from around the keel to hull joint, then with the keel supported by the cradle unbolt the keel bolts, then go to the jack and start letting the keel down onto the movable sled. Once the keel bolts are free then you can move the boat back down on the cradle or stands.

Another thought is to support the keel by a homemade cradle, then take the boat on its cradle with jacks at each end and just raise the whole boat up to free the keel from the hull. Move the keel out of the way, then lower the boat cradle back down. OR you could support the keel with a homemade cradle, then have the yard raise the boat with the lifting straps around the hull. Move the keel out of the way, then place the boat back down onto the boat cradle.

Once all of this is done, then I would rip out the sub floor to get to the plywood that supports the keel to hull joint. I would rip this plywood out, then replace that material with plywood or steel. You have allot of options her with the liner floor out of the way, and can customize the keel to hull joint. You can even add some stringers like the Merit 25's have done to really get the floor in the boat solid. If this was my project, I would just leave the lip of the liner (1/2") to support the teak and holly floorboard, and have every thing open under the board so if there is rain or water that gets into this area, you would then have access to this area by removing the floor board. ONE BIG SUMP.

Once the floor is rebuilt, I then would take a look at the keel bolts. Make sure that there was no major stress on the bolts or that they are not bent. If you need to replace the bolts, I would look into drilling out a hole then threading the bolts into the lead. This is the only job I would really want some professional help on.

Replacing the keel. The biggest part of getting the keel back on the boat is placement. you want to make sure that the keel is centered in with the hull. I would want to make several points on the hull and deck, and make sure that these reference points measure the same around the boat. Once this is done you can place the Kell back under the boat, Have the boat raised up by a crain, and the keel being supported by the cradle you built. lower the boat down so that the bolts are right at the hull, you have measured all of the points for reference, then mark on the bottom of the hull where you need to drill holes for the keel bolts. Raise the boat back up, and drill the hole for the keel bolts, I might take the extra step to sleeve the holes with stainless and epoxy them into place. Lower the boat back down onto the hull, check you reference points again, then torque the nuts back to the hull.

again this is just a thought

Edited by - Ericson33 on 03/25/2007 16:28:16

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