James Johnson wrote:


If I replace the iron with a lead keel of identical dimensions I could eliminate
the inside ballast and not have to deal with rusting. The inside ballast was
added by the designer ( I suppose after complaints about tenderness) and is
penciled in on the factory plans.


Yes, but there may be an advantage to being able to alter the ballast
depending on the how the boat is loaded. Might get you off of a mud bank
someday if you can remove some of the ballast.