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After pulling Chip Ahoy out in
September, I crawled under the trailer and found the keel in much worse
shape than I'd anticipated. Note the gray discoloration at the bottom of
the keel -- the trailing edge when retracted. On my mooring, the keel
would settle some 4"-6" into the bottom silt at mean low tide.
Once I realized it, I started cranking the keel up a few turns each time
I moored.
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The surface was so bad I was able to
pull off hunks of the keel's surface with just my fingers.
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The keel eye bolt for the cable. The
cable itself had begun to fray earlier in the season. I've got a new
replacement ready for installation before next season, along with a new
turning ball, hose and clamps.
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The keel removed at Marblehead Trading
Company, the boatyard (Sep. 26, 2003).
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The boatyard will first sandblast the
keel down to bare metal, then seal it from further corrosion.
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Note the new zinc plate, in the water of Salem Harbor for
less that two-and-a-half months and well eaten away.
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Lots of work ahead to bring this keel back to life.
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The keel, returned from sandblasting, now hangs in the
Fraser Welding shop. Tommy, Marblehead Trading Company's yard manager,
got it back yesterday (Nov. 20) and the yard has begun refinishing it
with a barrier coat and filler.
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The good news is that it was in better shape than I'd
thought once they blasted off the layer of rust. There were a couple
deeper spots, but I'm told it'll be as good as new once it's sanded,
faired and painted. The pin and hanger are "like new" I've
again been assured. (Nov. 21)
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The keel has been moved across the yard to Marblehead
Trading Company's main building in Little Harbor. Here it's being sanded and faired. (Feb. 2)
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The keel being sanded and faired.
(Feb. 2)
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| Moving on
with Season 2004 improvements |
| It's never-ending ... and the best
times have ended again for now! |
