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My Yard Neighbor has a 1970's era 30-35 foot sailboat that I want to say is a Columbia, but I can't be certain. (I know it was one of the first fin keel race commercially produced boats). Anyhoo, I watched him remove his keel, put in new bolts and rebed it. Let me walk you through the steps I observed:
1. While the boat was still on blocks, the keel bolt nuts were removed on the inside of the boat. (In the bilge). Then forms were built around the keel to hold it in place.
2. The boat was lifted in a cradle and the keel was pryed off the bottom of the boat.
3. It sort of popped off in one shot like a scab tearing off.
4. Then new keel bolts were threaded onto the keel.
5. The owner also fabricated new stainless steel straps and replaced the old straps that straddled the inside of the boat. These were installed.
6. He applied fiberglass resin around the top of the keel and then the inside of the opening on the bottom of the bottom to ensure water-tightness. (This dried for a few days and was sanded and shaped).
7. The boat was then lowered back onto the keel. I believe he used 5200 but I am not certain.
8. The keel bolts were attached with 200 lbs of torque.
I guess that you can argue that it was easy. Frankly, it looked extremely difficult, messy and time consuming to me.
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