Columbia keel question

[James River Sailor]

Would anyone happen to know what Columbia used for their keel material; lead or cast iron? Specifically, I have a 1977 Columbia 8.3 meter.
Incidentally, I need to dispose of this boat. Hull, rig, sails in decent condition. Has a Schafer furled with genoa. The interior has suffered the leaky Columbia windows syndrome, meaning the interior needs to be rebuilt. Atomic 4 will run with tuneup parts and carb rebuild. Has not been hauled for several years. Would like to give the boat (meaning free) to a new owner with moderate woodworking skills, otherwise I’m afraid she’ll have to go to the breakers.

 

[rgranger]

You should probably post this in the Digital Dumpster Dive forum.

Digital Dumpster Dive -- FREE Gear

Giving away some used boat gear? Recycle it here!

forums.sailboatowners.com

 

[Mikem]

Would anyone happen to know what Columbia used for their keel material; lead or cast iron? Specifically, I have a 1977 Columbia 8.3 meter.
Incidentally, I need to dispose of this boat. Hull, rig, sails in decent condition. Has a Schafer furled with genoa. The interior has suffered the leaky Columbia windows syndrome, meaning the interior needs to be rebuilt. Atomic 4 will run with tuneup parts and carb rebuild. Has not been hauled for several years. Would like to give the boat (meaning free) to a new owner with moderate woodworking skills, otherwise I’m afraid she’ll have to go to the breakers.

I once had a 1977 8.7 and the keel was lead.

 

[James River Sailor]

Thank you very much, Mikem! I couldn’t find an answer anywhere online. I’m hoping to find someone someone to take my 8.3 for free but if I can’t, there is a local salvage company that will take the boat for free if it has a lead keel. Sad, but necessary.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

@Mikem

Take a magnet to the keel. If it sticks to the keel, it is cast iron. If not, it’s lead. A friend of mine use to run the. Columbia plant in Chesapeake, VA but that was closed down many years ago bu cannot remember when.

I think he said the keels were cast iron

If lead , it may be they are lead balls encapsulated in resin, etc. best to say solid lead which you will get more money as salvage vs balls of lead

 

[James River Sailor]

That’s a good idea, Crazy Dave. The boat is in the water but a powerful magnet on a stick will answer the question. That’s the nice thing about forums like this; I hadn’t even thought of that. That is likely what the salvage company will do that to test the keel. As for the manufacturing process, I’d think lead balls encased in resin would be much easier than casting a lead keel so that’s probably what the builders did. Many thanks for your insight!