On May 25, 12:20*pm, derry wrote:
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.

Ok guys
The keel is down, sand blasted zinced and painted.
I found it very hard to get Muratic acid here in Ireland stiff laws.
So I used a sledge hammer with gentle taps and my 800kg ratchet winch
and she came down with no damage to the boat thank god.
thanks for all your help