Jaguar 21 keel overhaul by John Duff

I have just had to overhaul the keel on my jaguar21, I wondered if anybody might be interested in my methods. I found it quite a daunting prospect but in reality it was not so bad. I used a local fabricator and machine shop. I would be happy to pass on any details or help any other members with the same task. Contact me by e-mail (johnaduff@tiscali.co.uk).

I have modified a pallet rack capable of taking the weight of the boat. It is 9 feet high, 9feet long and 5feet wide I have modified the top by adding an H frame of 1" hand rail This supports 4 lifting chain winches one at each corner. This rig enables easy removal from the trailer and will lift the boat high enough to drop the keel.

First job is to remove the starboard cladding from the keel box, this will reveal a cut-out at the top of the keel box. You will see the big nylon stops held by a 10mm bolt to remove these you have to cut a hole in the portside ply, this saves dismantling the galley and can easily be covered later. This is also a good time to gain access to the winch strap retainer using the same hole-saw cut a hole in the starboard side so you can have easy access to the retaining pin for the future.

Remove the plate and gasket underneath. Now you can see a bracket holding a roller attached to the back of the keel box this maybe rusted away but it an essential stop and guide for the keel. Now the keel can be lowered all the way. I made a small trolley, from a piece of old worktop with 4 shopping trolley castors. Remove the strap pin and lower onto the trolley.

Having removed all of the old brackets I had the keel blasted back to good metal, filled it and added several coats of epoxy, undercoat and antifouling. I had new brackets made in stainless steel with new rollers and pins by a company in Sandy.

Now the keel is in better condition than new, with all stainless running gear a new gasket and winch strap. So putting it back. Attach an extension to the winch strap and hoist away, when the keel is upright you can remove the extension and fix the strap permanently. Now with the keel lined up lower the boat over it, once the keel is in the box you can do the rest on the winch. Once the keel is up secure with the retaining pin, refit the nylon stops to the top of the keel and the stop/roller underneath, replace the base plate with its new gasket and that's it for another 20 years.

I think the keel strap should be changed at the first sign of wear or within a five year period regardless I have not sealed the gasket in place because I think it should also be replaced on a regular basis. I would think any Jaguar 21 keel that has not had these mods is in need of inspection. To lose a keel, the strap has to break, the top stops have to fail and then the rear roller runner has to get passed the lower stop/roller. It's too risky to leave. My roller brackets had all but rusted away.