Lee Huddleston wrote:
... If the attachment is at the aft/upper
end, we may have to take the suggestion of completely removing the
keel by disconnecting the pivot. I would really like to avoid that
since the keel is so heavy, but may have to is there is no other way
to get up inside the well.

Another option is to saw off the top of the trunk and get at it that
way. You can either build a new fiberglas top molded in place, or build
up a flange and put on a removable panel.


One of the constraints for us is the lack of any hoist in our area.
What would you think of this "crazy" idea? Since the SJ 21 is a
relatively light boat with most of the weight in the keel, carefully
slide the boat off the back of the trailer onto grass. Then roll the
boat over on its side and pull the keel out to work on it (without
disconnecting at the pivot).

I think that 1- the boat won't like sitting on it's side on a hard
surface and 2- pulling the keel out sideways is going to be a much
bigger PITA than lowering it.

... The boat on the trailer is only about a
foot off of the ground. It might not take too much to raise it just a
little to get it off and then back on the trailer.

Borrow a mechanics pit, or jack the boat up on it's trailer and prop it
up solidly to work under. You don't have to raise the boat all at once,
if you do it a little at a time it's easy & secure. All you need is a
scissors jack (or better) and a supply of cinder blocks. Or drive it
between two trees and use a chainfall to hoist it up.

There's more than one way to skin a cat!