Sailboats that have lead keels include the Catalina 385, all of the Tartan Yachts, and the Marlow-Hunter 42ss. Not all boats are equipped with a lead keel and it can make a difference in the maintenance over the years that you or someone else will endure.

We specialize in custom keel pours of up to 5000 pounds and can handle many shapes and sizes of keels. Typically, the customer will supply us with a mold made from steel or Plaster of Paris and we can fill the mold full of lead. Once cooled, the keel will be prepared for pick up or for shipping.

Dec 17, 2024 · MarsKeel Technology has been providing North American production yacht builders keels for more than 40 years. We provide state-of-the-art advanced design and engineering services in partnership with Ariston Technologies and Burke Design. At MarsKeel Technology, we create technology and find solutions for our customers.

May 15, 2018 · Lead is regarded as the better choice, but you shouldn’t disqualify a boat from your search merely because it has an iron keel. If there is iron in the mix, will want to closely inspect the boat for warning signs of larger trouble ahead.

Sailboat keels are typically made of reinforced fiberglass layers, steel, or wood, depending on the hull material, boat model, and build year. Keel ballast usually consists of lead or iron. Ballast can consist of other materials too. Below I'll discuss all materials and the arguments for each one.

Jun 19, 2023 · Some modern production cruiser-racers offer high-performance lead or lead/iron composite keels – but at a price. Many Danish X-Yacht and Elan race-boat models, for example, have a lead bulb on the base of an iron NACA section fin.

The most common maintenance concerns for both lead and iron keels are the exterior surface condition and the keel bolts. Lead and iron keels have similarities and differences in these two matters. This guide will help you better understand the potential keel concerns and what it generally takes to fix them.

At MarsKeel Technology we are a complete and comprehensive keel manufacturer. We have the capacity to cast keels from 100 lbs. (approx. 50kgs) to 200,000 lbs (approx. 90,900 Kgs) in a continuous pour. Our world-leading casting capacity is …

Lead has distinct advantages over iron in its higher density (and thus lower volume for a given weight) and its immunity to corro-sion. However, cast iron has two important advantages over lead: higher mechanical properties and substantially lower cost.

Mar 11, 2011 · Most castings of lead keel involve melting the lead in one vessel and pouring it into a mould. However, it’s possible to cut out the pouring process by making a steel-box mould with sloped bolted-on ends, and standing it on stout legs, making sure it is level.