Sailing without a keel

So I was looking from under the boat at the keel and to say it's in sad shape is an understatement. Basically, it looks like it broke in half and only a piece remains around the keel pivot bolt.  The prior owner said he sailed without the keel down, I guess I see why…anyways…I assume it's ok to sail without the keel (for now) as long as winds are not too strong and not aggressive with the tack/jibe?

Any non-super expensive ways to replace the keel?  I found a place that can make a keel…I haven't reached out to them yet to see if they can for a clipper marine, but I suspect that they can for a price (which I question whether it's worth it).  I'm handy, having built my own house from the ground up mostly by myself, but I don't think I can fabricate a keel on my own…I've done enough Bondo work on cars to believe I can make the boat look new…but without a keel…I don't know…COMMENTS please!!!

Sailing without a keel, is more of a row boat than anything else.   A plane without wings would not get far off the ground.

To reproduce a proper keel, is going to get close or possibly exceed the value of your sailboat.

Joe,

  Looking at the specs you can see the size and weight to make another.  They are 480 lb or so on the 21 & 26.  I think that they are bigger at the bottom than the top for stability.  either way you would certainly need that shape out of 1/2 " steel anyway.  Might be worth it to estimate the weight of one out of 1/2".  If that is enough, then a torch and alot of grinding.

good luck

Dan

I would never sail one without the keel. It would be next to impossible to right if blown over. I would  remove the mast and deck it out with fishing rod holders and a swivel seat mounted on the forward deck and sell it as a fishing over-nighter. A local guy did that to his South Coast 22 that lost its keel and sold it for almost twice what he paid for it!

Here's a copy of a print I posted a while back. Should give you an idea of the dimensions you will be dealing with for a keel reconstruction.



Hope it helps.

Terry