Replace Jeanneau keel?

[KeepInTune]

I just got the quote from Jeanneau:
$12k for the shoal draft keel (yes, it is a proper replacement for the deep draft keel, same bolts, locations, etc..)
$4k for shipping (slow boat)
Plus an estimated $10k for the haul, de-mast (not sure why), keel replacement work, and reshaping the rudder to fit the new draft.

That's $26k+- for a 6'8'' draft to a 5'5'' draft. That's $1700 per inch!
I think I'll scrape the bottom a few extra times for that cost.

[Stumble]

Call Mars, assuming I ran the calculation correctly (and I never trust my own numbers), I figured you would need about 1,000lbs of lead, 500 per side. You can probably ship it LTL paletized so that will drop, and the yard bill will be a fraction. I am guessing, and it isn't a wag, you would be in the $5,000 range for a bolt on bulb.


Btw the reason you remove the mast first when you take off the keel, is to keep the mast from suddenly becoming the keel as the boat flips upside down.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Stumble

Call Mars, assuming I ran the calculation correctly (and I never trust my own numbers), I figured you would need about 1,000lbs of lead, 500 per side. You can probably ship it LTL paletized so that will drop, and the yard bill will be a fraction. I am guessing, and it isn't a wag, you would be in the $5,000 range for a bolt on bulb.


Btw the reason you remove the mast first when you take off the keel, is to keep the mast from suddenly becoming the keel as the boat flips upside down.

Done this with Mars a few times. You contact them first, they do the calculations with the NA (sometimes) if they haven't for that model already, and they send you a drawing. You use it to cut the bottom X amount off of the keel. Then you send them the lump you cut off (can skip this step if super far away and shipping cost exceeds cost of lead). Then they use the piece you cut off to cast two bulb halves. These are shipped back to you, and you install them on either side of the ballast keel stub, through bolting all the way through both "cheek" pieces and the original ballast keel. Then you epoxy fair and barrier coat and away you go. Much cheaper than a new keel.


PS: The rig has to be pulled so the boat doesn't fall over in the stands with the keel off due to rig weight and no ballast. Pull keel=pull rig first every, generally speaking.

[maine50]

He is sawing off IRON. Ship it to Mars for remelting? Iron melts at over 1500f.
Is this a problem? Seems like lead is going to easier for the bulb slabs.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by maine50

He is sawing off IRON. Ship it to Mars for remelting? Iron melts at over 1500f.
Is this a problem? Seems like lead is going to easier for the bulb slabs.

Lol! Nope, can't do that with iron.


Best thing to do is get rid of the iron keel and have them make a shoal draft one in lead.

[Stumble]

Originally Posted by minaret

Lol! Nope, can't do that with iron.


Best thing to do is get rid of the iron keel and have them make a shoal draft one in lead.

Probably, but a new lead keel is going to be 20k, a lead bulb to make up the RM I sail probably 1/4 that.

[Yellowtulip]

If it's such a good offer, buy the boat, sell it on at a profit and buy a more suitable boat.

[minaret]

Originally Posted by Stumble

Probably, but a new lead keel is going to be 20k, a lead bulb to make up the RM I sail probably 1/4 that.

Sure, but at least then it wouldn't have the worst thing you could possibly put on a boat.

[Enyar]

Originally Posted by Stumble

You really have a few options, none of them are terribly good..

1) live with the deeper keel.
2) buy a new shoal draft keel from the manufacturer
3) have Mars (or someone else) make you a new shoal keel
4) cut your existing keel down and bolt on a torpedo
5) find someone with your boat who wants to swap.

Frankly 5 is very unlikely, but would be great if you can, 1 has practical issues only you can answer, 2&3 are variations on a theme and are going to be pretty expensive.

Theoretically, what would be involved with #5?

Long story short I've inherited a Beneteau First 42 that the whole family loves very much and I am researching the possibility of keeping it if I can afford it. The one drawback is the 7' draft for the Keys and Bahamas. I found a donor Shoal Draft First 42 that is available for incredibly cheap (hurricane damage). How much do you think it would cost to do the swap? My other concern is the shoal draft edition has a smaller sail area so I wonder what the risks would be.


Pipe dream that I'll even find a way to afford the boat (dockage is S FL is $$$!) and even less likely I would undertake a keel swap but it is an interesting idea.

[coopec43]

Why didn't you start a new thread instead of reviving a four year old thread?


I can't help you with the technical side but I suggest the cost of cranage/transport/slipping etc etc would quickly mount up.