Keel options

Hi
I recently salvaged a 26 foot clipper daysailer but in the salvage operation I lost the keel (we had to get it off to float the boat off the shore) and now im am thinkin gof options for a new keel. I plan on using the boat for racing but i dont want to put excessive money into a new keel or time so i was thinking of a bulb keel extending about 5' or 6' from the bilge. The origanal keel was a +-4' skeg keel with a weight of about 450 pounds. please send me any ideas.
Thanks

 

Without re-engineering the hull you would be best advised to stick to her design. You have to look at the loads and how they are transmitted to the hull. Usually a keel change like you propose would need alterations to frames floors and hull.

 

Im thnking of making a very simalar keel but but having it as a sheath where an extension will extend from and will have the bulb at the end of it

 

any chance of salvaging the keel?
otherwise just get castiron or steel and youll be right... dont waste your money on anyhting too fancy

 

the keel was taken to the local dump by the goverment(idiots) so its gone. ive worked out how much lead ill need and its not much. thanks though