In answer to paul's question, I have a friend that removed his swing keel completely after it was badly damaged in a trailering accident. He placed several hundred lbs. of sand in and around area where keel was hinged. He then had what amounts to a fixed keel attached (4' wide by 30" deep) where the original keel was. He has sailed it several times and says although it's not as good as before and a "jury rig" for sure, it works.