cutting lead - window in a lead keel

[lausl]

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

 

[rangebowdrie]

You're kidding, right?

 

[BlueBell]

Chainsaw may be your best implement.
Collect ALL your dust and off cut waste and melt it down or dispose of it properly.

 

[bajansailor]

@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?

 

[kapnD]

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?

 

[BlueBell]

"window"

I love the terminology.

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

This is a comical idea proposed here.

 

[lausl]

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.

 

[gonzo]

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.

 

[Blueknarr]

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.

So you plan to move 250kg from keel to bilge in light airs?
Moving crew is easier!!

 

[gonzo]

He is making the boat lighter. There should be some kind of plug to fill the hole.

 

[Blueknarr]

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

 

[gonzo]

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