cutting lead - window in a lead keel

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by lausl, Jan 3, 2022.

  1. lausl
    Joined: Nov 2005
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    Location: Germany

    lausl carpe diem yacht design

    We want to extract a lumpf of lead from a keel, the lead is supposed be casted with lead/antimon. I know from my active years that the chain saw is the only really option, bus this is the rough version.
    I imagine that today we could watercut the keel section between two keel bolts?
    Have youz got expoerience to share?
    The goal would be to get o nicely cut lump that could be put in again to allow ballast options to be reused, light wind (take it out) strong wind (put it in again). I imagione a conical shape and large radii. the sketch shows a top view, 1 being port, 2 stb. and a perspective, the "window" is about 200mm by 300mm
     

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  2. rangebowdrie
    Joined: Nov 2009
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    rangebowdrie Senior Member

    You're kidding, right?
     
  3. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
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    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    Chainsaw may be your best implement.
    Collect ALL your dust and off cut waste and melt it down or dispose of it properly.
     
  4. bajansailor
    Joined: Oct 2007
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    Location: Barbados

    bajansailor Marine Surveyor

    @lausl can you supply some more information about the yacht which you want to do this modification to please?

    And how heavy do you expect the cut out section to be?
     
  5. kapnD
    Joined: Jan 2003
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    Location: hawaii, usa

    kapnD Senior Member

    What’s the boat in question?
    How much weight are we talking about removing?
    It’s current performance should be studied, and weighed against the design specs before firing up the chainsaw.
    It’s pretty obvious that the removed portion would have to be entirely removed from the vessel to realize any gains, but where will the “plug” be when the weather kicks up?
     
  6. BlueBell
    Joined: May 2017
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    Location: Victoria BC Canada

    BlueBell . . . _ _ _ . . . _ _ _

    "window"

    I love the terminology.

    Plus 1 for where do you store it!?!?!

    This is a comical idea proposed here.
     
  7. lausl
    Joined: Nov 2005
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    Location: Germany

    lausl carpe diem yacht design

    The boat is a day race boat, so weight can be removed, moved back as per the weather report. Weight about 250kg. cast and snuggly fit piece of same weight stored in bilge at same the LC position for trim.
     
  8. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    In that case, the lead should be removed from the top of the keel. That would keep the most righting moment for the weight reduction. There is no need for the plug to be conical. A circular saw will cut through lead easily.
     
  9. Blueknarr
    Joined: Aug 2017
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    Location: Colorado

    Blueknarr Senior Member


    So you plan to move 250kg from keel to bilge in light airs?
    Moving crew is easier!!
     
  10. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    gonzo Senior Member

    He is making the boat lighter. There should be some kind of plug to fill the hole.
     
  11. Blueknarr
    Joined: Aug 2017
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    Location: Colorado

    Blueknarr Senior Member

    He isn't making it lighter if the plug is stored in the bilge "to maintain trim".
     

  12. gonzo
    Joined: Aug 2002
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    Location: Milwaukee, WI

    gonzo Senior Member

    Good catch. In that case, it makes no sense.
     
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