Damaged keel

[will]

I need to repair the keel on my 23 but trailer rollers in the way. Any tips, ideas or tricks? I'am not crazy about having a yard lift her onto jack stands. Thanks

[Zane]

One expensive solution is Jamestown Distributors TotalBoat Derailments Boat Lift which attaches to the trailer and is a boat lift up to 12 inches above the trailer. I've not used the product so ease etc unknown. However, doing any work on the underwater portion of the 23 while on the trailer is at best uncomfortable, slow, and hard on the back and knees. If the damage is extensive, suggest putting the 23 on stands.

[mattman]

What are your concerns regarding the yard?

[Mas]

More than likely she will have her keel on blocks even if on stands, so if bottom is where you need to get the aforementioned trailer stands may work or may have to spring for a travel lift for repair.

[brackish]

Depends on the extent of the repair you are talking about.  If it is not that large, the easiest way is to simply put two jacks under the keel, fore and aft in an area that does not need repair, jack it up a few inches, put spacer blocks between the bunks and hull for stability, remove the keel guides then any rollers in the way of the repair area and have at it.  I sand/paint the bottom of my keel that way, with the exception of removing the keel rollers which is not necessary for painting.  Remember to loosen the winch strap before doing this, and as always when you are crawling around down there, block the wheels.

[Potcake boy]

Depends on your age!!!  Danny Glover framed it up perfectly with his famous quote "I'm too old for this shit". At my age (mature sailor) it's just not worth saving a bit of cash by going through all that grief and exposing me and my boat to accidental damage, either of which could take away coveted time from my sailing, and be far more costly in the long run. I enjoy doing my own work on the boat, but not when it involves an even greater amount of work just staging the boat in preparation. If you use a yard, the keel will likely be sat on 10X10 blocks which the yard will relocate if needed for access.

[HeaveToo]

Cheap is one thing but safety is another.  If it is extensive have a yard do it!

I jack mine up to do the bottom paint.  It is a pain and it makes me nervous as hell.  I won't get my hands anywhere near place where the boat could fall on it.  I think that I put pictures on this forum of it.

You are probably better off having the boat lifted if you need to work on the keel though.  Maybe you can get an estimate from a yard to see what you are looking at and think of several different options.