Info for a friend

[Guest]

I have a friend who is in the process of restoring a wooden sailing boat. It is a
lifting keel of 20ft overall length. He thinks it was called a Dauntlass, built on
Canvey Island 25 to 30 years ago. Is there any enthusiast who knows how the
keel box secured in place, he is reluctant to proceed further in case he damages
the keel box and surrounding area beyond recognition.
Regards LesW

 

[Mirelle]

Dauntless centreplate case

Sorry, I cannot help directly, but these are by no means uncommon boats, and depending on where your friend's boat is, someone is bound to know. Centrebox construction IS tricky; there are three or four "usual" methods but almost certainly the sides of the case are rabbetted into the "logs" which sit on the keelson either side of the slot, with screws/bolts accessible for tightening