recycling an internal lead keel

[adamsj23]

How hard or reasonable is it to get the lead out of a Bahamas islander 30 keel for recycling?

[boatpoker]

you can do it with a chainsaw in about three days .... or about 20 minutes if you take her out of the water first.

[adamsj23]

You can do it in the water??? Huh?? I was actually worried I couldn't get it down to clean lead.

[adamsj23]

Has anyone tried to recycle a keel?

[Minnewaska]

Understand there is probably a degree of suspicion, since lead is occasionally poached.

[hellosailor]

Draw a dotted line around the keel stub. Cut any nuts off the keel bolts with a Sawzall if they won't unbolt, then cut along the dotted line.

Now you just have to pick it up and carry it to the scrap yard.

Back a pickup truck under the keel before you cut it loose, get Dodge or Chevy to sponsor the commercial. (G)

[bljones]

You are a bad man, HS.

[tommays]

Around here it would cost far more to landfill the hull than the lead is worth which is why they sit around forever

[pereubu]

Recycled a keel in Texas off 25' Cal and received $1300. Watch the prices. I would think it's worth it. Be sure you can haul it. Good luck!

[Minnewaska]

There was a boat that was beached during hurricane Earl in 2010 that I recall was found sans its keel, which was presumably poached for scrap.