Working on the keel

[jamesa]

I'm trying to strip off the antifouling from my fin-keeler, but what do I do about the bottom of the keel? Options seem to be (a) ignore it, or (b) pay the marina £50/hour to dangle boat from a crane. Option (a) is out this time because I'm planning on changing the type of antifouling (eroding to hard), and (b) sounds hellish expensive by the time I've stripped it & slapped on the required number of coats of new stuff.

Anyone got any (safe) suggestions? Or do I just pay the marina yet more money?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[malcp]

No simple answer that I know of, however, depending on your time and the marina's time and the lift operator you might try getting the lift operator to lift the boat up in the slings, then disappear for a tea break, whilst you quickly attack the bottom of the keel, dry it off and apply a coat of antifoul, before the operator comes back to launch her. The A/F would have to be able to dry pretty quickly, but even then I doubt it would meet the manufactures immersion time requirement.
This is what I do, using Micron Extra with reasonable results.

Sometimes the lift operator becomes more amenable when his palm is suitably greased! Cheaper than doing it officially.

Another idea is to get the marina lift operator to place the boat's keel down on 2 strips of wood (tough ones) upon haulout and this might allow you some access underneath, but it's far from ideal.



<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ashanta]

I am always present when the boat is being launched and I always have my tin of paint and a brush. When they lift the boat I do the bottom of the keel. All boat yards expect you to do this and make allowances for it. Dont pay the yard to do because once in the water you do not know if it's been done!

Regards.

Peter.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[extravert]

Where my boat is the marina will split a lift/launch over 2 days. They do the lift as their last job in the evening, and the launch as the first job in the morning, giving time to do the keel bottom and cradle support patches. I may be worth asking where you are if they will do this.

A few years ago this caused me a minor problem. I stayed on the boat overnight dangling high up in the slings. It was a bit windy during the night and I heard a solitary clatter but didn't investigate further. In the morning I found that my ladder had blown over and I could not get down of the boat. I radioed the marina office to ask if they could send someone to put the ladder back. They said that they had never heard a distress call from the carpark before.

<hr width=100% size=1>One day, I hope to own a real boat.

 

[mldpt]

My experience is that very little grows on the keel, due to the lack of light down there, or perhaps its because I sail in Morcambe bay and it freuently gets a good rubbing down when we go aground.
Mike

<hr width=100% size=1>www.sailingforfun.co.uk

 

[chippie]

I got a lovely feed of mussels from the keel of my boat, but it had been left for a while as I knew she was coming out for some major work.

<hr width=100% size=1>