On a very blustery day (April 6, 2011) Brooklin Boat Yard’s newest project the 68ft LOA sloop Isobel was moved out of the shop and placed atop the first of two fabrications that will constitute her keel when all is completed.

The first portion of Isobel’s keel is a hollow steel fin shaped fabrication that will also double as the primary fuel tank for the boat keeping the weight of her diesel fuel as low as possible. The fin section is topped by a flat flange and substantial bolts to secure the fin to the hull in a recessed cavity which will be filled and faired to provide a smooth fast bottom surface.

Isobel’s position when hanging in the travel lift slings above the fin / tank section was pretty much perpendicular to a strong (20-30 knot) west / norwesterly breeze coming down the full length of the Eggemoggin Reach. As gusts hit the side of the boat Isobel would gently rock back and forth in the slings as much as 6″. It was almost as if Isobel feeling a good breeze for the first time wanted to get out and hit the water.

Trying to line up bolts to holes in this type of situation is next to impossible but with liberal use of tensioning lines running from the boat to the Travel Lift Isobel was held securely in position and lowered down onto the top of the fin / tank section to be bedded and bolted into place.

After the fin / tank was secured to the hull Isobel was moved back into Brooklin Boat Yard’s main shop and the construction team moved back aboard to continue working.

Isobel’s next foray outside will be when she moves from the main shop to the paint building for Awlgripping of her topsides and deck areas along with exterior varnish work. On the way to the paint shop Isobel will get the second half of her keel configuration which is the lead ballast bulb which will be bolted into the lower end of the fin/ tank section.