keel removal

[karlfill]

Is there a trick to getting the fixid keel out of a hunter 19 trailer sailer
I have removed the 2 bolts that fix through the keel inside the boat but suspect due to rust the keel has grown and is tight in the fiberglasss box ?
can you put stainless bilts back in or high tensile steel ?

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

karlfill;

Is this a water ballasted sailboat built in the 90's or keel version back in the early 80's?

Crazy Dave

 

[karlfill]

fixed keel from the 80s

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Generally, keel bolts are embedded into the fixed keel. When the keel is attached, the keel bolts go thru pre drilled holes in the bottom of the hull. The keel is sealed with 3M 5200 maine sealant which is a bare to get off. You have to take the nuts off the keel bolts to remove.

However, when removing a keel, you have to build a cradle or something for it to stay upright or the keel will fall off and over damaging what is nearby or even you if you do not a cradle of sorts. I would ere on the side of safety and let a yard lift the boat up as it is safer and easier. yes it will cost but to think of injury is not my cup of tea.

for clarity, I am not sure if you mistook for the retaining nuts which my response is directed to. If the bolts actually came out, then I would suggest that you direct a response to customerservice@huntermarine.com as I was not that familiar with that boat.

crazy dave