My steel keel will be grinded and epoxy coated this fall after haulout. How do I grind the bottom? The part of the keel that usually sits on the wood block when my boat is in it's cradle? Comments...
Haul the boat and have it set on its keel on two or three 6"x6" 0r 8"x8" timbers using six jackstands chained in pairs to support the boat instead of a cradle. By taking up the aft jack stands a turn or two at a time and lowering the two forward jackstands you can 'tip' the boat forward resting on the forward keel block and the six jack stands. After working on the aft end of the keel, allowing it to cure, etc. you can reverse the proceedure and 'tip' the boat onto the aft keel block and the six jack stands; then work on the forward half of the keel. Go slowly and position the jackstands carefully so as not to deform the hull.
Many yards will not allow boat owners to move jackstands, or other boat supports, due to insurance concerns and other reasons concerned with safety. Most yards, however, will move your jackstands around for you, for a nomimal fee. Sounds to me like you may have to this twice: once when you grind the keel, and then again when you epoxy it.
to be the last haul of the day so I can hang in the straps overnight and be the first in the next morning. This gives me several hours to deal with the bottom of the keel (which is generally a waste of my time anyway)
Paul, Darryl has the right idea by hanging in the slings overnite. Some yards will set it on blocks any way, so ask first. You shouldn't have to move them twice for the same area since once the keel is ground to bright metal it should be epoxied as soon as reasonably possible to prevent the metal from oxidizing or rusting on the surface. If you choose the stand method then Warren is right, as most yards frown upon you moving the stands. However, if you do use them make sure that they're placed on the hull where a locker or cabin bulkhead or some sort of strong internal structure is located to prevent deforming or severe flexing of the hull. If you use your cradle then use a wedge on top of the blocking perpendicular to the side of the keel. When you're ready to move the blocks put new blocks in that don't quite touch the keel and drive in some wedges. Now you can drive out the other wedges and remove the blocks. Any way you choose, good luck with it.
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