Fin Keel to Lifting Keel on my Columbia 28

[SteveWinNH]

I've been reading this site for a couple of months and have to thank everyone for their comments and expert advice. A great friend has "aged out of sailing" at age 72 and has bought a "power boat." He called in September 05' and asked if I would like his sailboat. - For FREE - so now it's sitting in my back yard. Its a Columbia 28. I've sailed this particular boat for about 20 years. I think that my friend Bill just liked the idea of owning a sailboat and I would always be the one enjoying the magic of sailing.

Now I want to be flexible and get this boat on a trailer.

Here's the theme: Change a very seaworthy 28 foot fiberglass sloop to a very trailerable 28 foot cutter rig with both traditional and dynamic sailing features that accomodate really light air and really heavy air. Also I want to be able to "Beach" this boat for camping. Say if I were to haul it to one of the many big lakes in New England and spend a couple of weeks on her just "floating around" - that would be OK. or If I have a friend who has a spare mooring somewhere between Portsmouth and Portland for a Summer - that would be OK too. Never Never Never pay mooring fees, or hauling fees !!! Of course I'd need a second hand

First I'm thinking of a cutter rig: Cut the mast off at about 3/5ths high, cut the mainsail and sew to a gaff. Re weld the mast to accept an extention that will sit at the first spreader level and go about two feet higher than the original mast. THe original mast would be about 4-5 feet above the spreader to accomodate a traditional looking crow's nest and mbe the standing side spreaders would be replaced by a traditional rope ladder arraingement. The foredeck would include a smaller fixed forestaysail attached at the spreader point a working gib at the bow attached to just above the original mast and a 3 foot adjustable bowsprit for light air and an oversize furling 180% Genoa attached to the very top of the attached virtical smaller format mast.

Second, Here's the technical part: OOPS - Ran out of room.

[SteveWinNH]

OK (I'm replying to my own note to continue...) Remove the keel, cut the thing off almost flush with the bottom, leave room for internal balast and weld a trunk about 1/18 inches to recive about 8 feet of steel that will be hoisted up and down with a beaver tail bulb on the bottom ! Design and weld components to support the virticle and horozontal stress of the trunk and keel assembly. This will reduce draft to about 2 feet from what is now about 5 feet. ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS?

[RHough]

Originally Posted by SteveWinNH

OK (I'm replying to my own note to continue...) Remove the keel, cut the thing off almost flush with the bottom, leave room for internal balast and weld a trunk about 1/18 inches to recive about 8 feet of steel that will be hoisted up and down with a beaver tail bulb on the bottom ! Design and weld components to support the virticle and horozontal stress of the trunk and keel assembly. This will reduce draft to about 2 feet from what is now about 5 feet. ANY THOUGHTS ABOUT THIS?

Sounds like a great idea! You might think about canting the keel, adding side pods, and hydrofoils too. With sliding deck ballast and the canting keel you will have less lead to haul around and you can save gas in your tow car.

[MikeR]

Sounds like a huge amount of work for unknown results.

I'd donate the boat to a charity and buy one designed to be a trailer sailor.

Of course, if your goal is to have a project, seems like an interesting one.

Cheers,

MikeR

[SteveWinNH]

Yea, "Project" is my middle name. This particular boat does have some history amoung old friends in costal New Hampshire and it was sailed around from Michigan (Via the Great Lakes & St Lawrence River) by the original owner who I know as well. I am attached no doubt about it. So the idea is to be "creative" and not spend too much money.

RHough. Good options. I'm hoping to keep the keel a keel (just thinner -steel- and movable up and down) and the weight as low as possible. I'm planing on cutting two parts from the existing keel and probably bolt them on each side of the bottom of the steel virticle plate. There is one article in Sail Mag that shows someone cutting off a lead keel with a chain saw. - The magazine is probably 4 years old. Do you (or anyone) have experience with cutting up lead keels? Then holes for big nuts and bolts are needed too.

[SteveWinNH]

I reviewed all the threads about keel shape and found what I was looking for in an article in Professional BoatBuilder June-July 2005 !!! EXCELLENT

Thanks Very Much to all who contribute to these discussions!

Now I think I'm going in debt with a Lincoln Electric 350 with the push-pull wire feed. Such a project! My goal is to have the keel and rig rebuilt and a trailer fabricated in two years!

Thanks again ! - Steve in New Hampshire

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