I have recently purchased a Hunter 25 with a long keel (3'11"draft plus) - I want to convert it to a shoal keel - has anyone done this? This was a blue water boat and I want to use it in the lakes and to be able to trailer it easily- launch it from a boat ramp, etc. I have the ability, tools and general mechanical experience to do such a conversion - just need some expert guidance! Now to the questions - Is it as simple as cutting off the existing keel to a new length (and what is the shortest length I can get away with). What do I do about the lost ballast? I can fabricate a swing keel inside the remaining shoal keel - but is it necessary? Any advantages except additional weight to putting a flat "wing" at the bottom of the keel? Any help on this conversion would be great! The boat is useless to me like it is.
Converting blue water keel to shoal keel
- Thread starter jeff23clayton
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Sell the boat and buy one that is more suitable.
Sell the boat and buy one that is more suitable. You are going to errode the value of the boat and will make it nearly usless. There are plenty of boats out there that are much easier to trailer, launch and retrieve. If you are set on doing this (modifying the keel), I would suggest that you contact Mars Metals in Canada and let them have a shot at this job. I think you will find that it is going to cost you nearly as much as the boat is worth.
Sell the boat and buy one that is more suitable. You are going to errode the value of the boat and will make it nearly usless. There are plenty of boats out there that are much easier to trailer, launch and retrieve. If you are set on doing this (modifying the keel), I would suggest that you contact Mars Metals in Canada and let them have a shot at this job. I think you will find that it is going to cost you nearly as much as the boat is worth.
Ditto on sell it!
You'll just ruin it for anyone else. Hunter 25 is not "blue water" and 3'11" would be considered "shoal" keel on most any boat down to 23' or so. Get a swing keel if you are in skinnier water than that. As Steve said, any modifications you are talking about would cost far more than the boat is worth.
You'll just ruin it for anyone else. Hunter 25 is not "blue water" and 3'11" would be considered "shoal" keel on most any boat down to 23' or so. Get a swing keel if you are in skinnier water than that. As Steve said, any modifications you are talking about would cost far more than the boat is worth.
Swap it!
I think you'll find that it's fairly easy to find someone with a swing keel boat they'd happily trade for your keel boat. However, trailering, launching at a ramp, etc. should not be a huge deal with your Hunter 25.
I think you'll find that it's fairly easy to find someone with a swing keel boat they'd happily trade for your keel boat. However, trailering, launching at a ramp, etc. should not be a huge deal with your Hunter 25.
Let's look at the job
Ok first you'd have to cut the keel. What's it made of 2 or 3 inch thick steel? You'll need a really big cutting torch. Then you'll need to add the bulb at the bottom of the keet to the existing keel. For that you'll need a lift for the boat a lift for the bulb and a lot of really heavy duty welding equipment. Now your keel is shorter and lighter so you'll need to weld on wings to add weight and reduce vortices off the end of the keel to increase upwind performance. Lots more cutting welding and metal work. If you're a heavy equipment industrial welder with all the tools and lifts you need then you could do a fair job. You still might want to hire a marine architect to design the size and shape of the new keel, because if you get it wrong and change the balance of the boat you'll have uncontrollable weather or lee helm and the boat won't sail. On the other hand if you're not used to working with pieces and part that weigh over 500 pounds I'd definately skip this job and sell this boat you can't use. Lot's of nice swing keel Hunters and Catalinas this size. Many folks are looking for those fixed keel boats for their good performance and low maintenance, so list it here and sell it.
Ok first you'd have to cut the keel. What's it made of 2 or 3 inch thick steel? You'll need a really big cutting torch. Then you'll need to add the bulb at the bottom of the keet to the existing keel. For that you'll need a lift for the boat a lift for the bulb and a lot of really heavy duty welding equipment. Now your keel is shorter and lighter so you'll need to weld on wings to add weight and reduce vortices off the end of the keel to increase upwind performance. Lots more cutting welding and metal work. If you're a heavy equipment industrial welder with all the tools and lifts you need then you could do a fair job. You still might want to hire a marine architect to design the size and shape of the new keel, because if you get it wrong and change the balance of the boat you'll have uncontrollable weather or lee helm and the boat won't sail. On the other hand if you're not used to working with pieces and part that weigh over 500 pounds I'd definately skip this job and sell this boat you can't use. Lot's of nice swing keel Hunters and Catalinas this size. Many folks are looking for those fixed keel boats for their good performance and low maintenance, so list it here and sell it.
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