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Starting the Dangerous Bit OK, my Neptune 16 has one (or two) little problems. The biggest is the swing keel is broken and must be replaced. A smaller problem is the roller on the trailer is crushed. Both of those problems (and others) require the boat be lifted off the trailer and work be done.
Finished product, but how does one, solo and on a less than optimal budget, accomplish such a thing?
Blocks, of course. Blocks and rafters and straps and rope. That's how things are moved.
But even fools know a hanging boat is a disaster waiting to happen. I borrowed a couple boat stands in the hope I won't be crushed (immediately) if the boat falls.
Another false safety precaution. In reality, it'll only keep the crushing weight of the boat a few inches off my spine so I'll have longer to try and scream while the life is squeezed out of me.
900 lbs of boat ~3' off the deck.
First thing I did was replace the roller. That one in the back is the old one.
Next was to figure out how the keel fits in. I made a plywood mock-up of the original so I could get an idea of what I was working with.
This is the slot the swing keel fits into when retracted. If you look closely, you can see it has three widths: 1" 1.5" and 2.5". Why? the original keel is only 3/4" at the neck and 2.25 at the base.
This is the pivot point for the swing keel. I didn't have a 3/8 bolt laying around, but this rusty, big-assed nail would do nicely.
So here's the keel mockup in it's "stored" position - when on trailer or running down wind. This means my mockup is correct in length and pivot point. This gives me my starting point.
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