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After the massive accomplishment of getting Sarah jacked up 10", Dave's next move was to brace and secure the ballast keel. |
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Once again, Dave designed and the resident welder assembled this rather frightening looking apparatus. In these two pictures you can also see the two rail tracks reclaimed from a small rail launch that was operated at this boatyard in years past. |
According to the Concordia history we've read, the ballast was moved on rail tracks. Of course Abeking & Rasmussen had a shop full of track laid in the floor, but if it worked to put it on in 1955, it should work to take it back off in 2002. |
Over the course of three days, and using a trick born in frustration (note the Sawsall partially tensioned by the bungie attached to the wedge), Dave cut 14 original keel bolts, two replacement stainless steel keel bolts, and the two lifting eyes. |
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Three days and $50.00 worth of 12" saw blades later. THUD!!! Thanks to the bracing, it didn't drop much, but 7,800 lbs even dropping an inch is a heck of a THUD. After a few minutes of well-deserved relief, and while I dashed home to get another tape for the video camera, Dave summoned the yard-owner, Nick Xynides, who brought the John Deere and chain.
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TA DA!