On Tue, 9 Jun 2009 18:50:01 -0400, "mmc" wrote:


wrote in message
.. .
On Tue, 9 Jun 2009 08:37:59 -0400, "mmc" wrote:


"derry" wrote in message
...
Hi all
I seen there a while back someone had the problem of a swing keel
stuck in the keel trunk.
I have the same problem. and am now at a crossroads with it.

I drilled a hole in the steel keel and used a 800kg ratchet winch onto
an large anchor weight
this pulled the keel down with some effort. I removed the keel winch
and the keel pin.

but still cant pull the keel out with the rust around where the pin
was.
I guess I need some thing to dissolve the rust that will not damage
the gel coat.

I have tightened up the ratchet pressure again and soaked the keel in
diesel. And left it over night to see what will happen .

Anybody got any better ideas on this.

Did you get it unstuck?
Anyone know of anything that dissolves barnacles?


There are commercially available chemicals that disolve barnacles.
Available at any chandelery. Same stuff also works well to clean fancy
automobile wheels. Rinse well, and avoid breathing the fumes though,
it's acid.

Thanks, any idea if it harms gelcoat?


I've used it for years with no apparent problems. I've always been
careful to make sure I do a good job of rinsing, just to be safe.