Howard, Thanks for all the ideas. I like the idea of the tubing for the pivot pin. I'll give that some consideration. As for the space above the ballast. I think it's just going to get sealed up and will have "air" in there. Maybe I should make it some kind of time capsule and insert a picture or two of myself covered in sanding dust or something!!! hahaha. If anyone ever ended up getting to see my picture they'd know what bonehead didn't fix the keel correctly. Guess I better put the pics in a ziploc bag! The cavity is sealed off from the hull itself and that's the way I want to keep it. I already tested this theory by filling the sump with bilge cleaner and letting it sit overnight. None was able to get into the keel. Yeah! (and my bilge is clean!) The idea of water ballast gives me a "MacGregor Shudder". UGH! Not gonna happen! (I hope) Still kicking around ideas. Sure wish all you guys were here sitting in lawn chairs (OK OK ...rock chairs) staring at this thing with me. We could have a few laughs, drink a few beers (diet cokes in my case) and you could console me when I break out into uncrontrollable crying fits! Tomorrow's another day closer.............................................to?