Nebwest2@aol.com wrote:

OK, I know somebody out there knows this and can help me out. I am in the process of modifying a hydraulic lift table to assist in dropping the keel out of my 23 (and raising it back in). With the boat on the trailer, the entire keel slot is obscured by a 2x6 bunk that the keel sits on. I am trying to have all the bases covered so that when the crane shows up he lifts the boat, swings it over the lift table, the keel is lowered into the supports I'm making on the table and secured, pins are knocked out and pendant detached and then the boat is lifted and swung onto its stands leaving the keel on the table. We'll reverse the process when the work is done to re-install (or at least that's the grand plan). My problem? Well, I need to know the thickness of the cast iron swing keel so I can have the supports ready to go. To me time is time and my time doesn't seem to be worth much to anybody ...hahaha.....BUT the Crane Guys time is EXPENSIVE!!!! So we want to do this right the first time. So, does anyone out there know what the thickness of the m23's keel is??? I'm guessing somewhere around an inch....but honestly, I never paid attention to the darn things thickness either of the two times I've seen it!! Stupid ha??? It sure is nice to have a group like this to turn to for info and advice. Thanks in advance.

Sean _______________________________________________ http://mailman.xmission.com/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/montgomery_boats

Sean, you might check with "Bones" Bowden, bonez@sprynet.com, as he probably still has the rig I built to raise the M23 about 5" above it's resting place on the trailer. Be warned that the trailer frame should be well suported by stand jacks otherwise it will deflect and the boat will hardly rise. The rig consisted of a cold rolled channel piece with bracing and 2 1/2 ton hydraulic jacks fastened to the trailer frame with a polyurethane pad that intimately conformed to the lapstrake at the back of the trailer and a carpeted oak block about 4' aft of the bow with 2 more jacks. With this rig I was able to remove the keel guides and bottom paint the hull and keel one side at a time, even lowering the center board and painting the leading edge which also becomes accessible. I used to worry that there might be an earthquake while I had the boat suspended (being California) but I lucked out. During the 1989 Loma Prieta 'quake the boat ant trailer ran back and forth about 5' frightening my wife! Be careful under there. Dick