Keel dropped from crane

[Mike Myers (RWS)]

My keel crane line snapped at nearly max height last week, and the keel fell back down to its normal racing position. It’s a long fall for 300+ pounds, and it did some serious damage. The leading edge of the keel has split in half from the top down to about a foot below the top.
Local boat yard has quoted me about $3K to pull the keel and bond it back together. Are there any thoughts on this? Has it happened before?
Alternatively, are there any boats that have been scrapped, and could donate an unbroken keel? (longshot I know, but worth asking)

Thanks all. It’s been a tough year between the first mast breaking, the replacement carbon rig being broken in shipping, the replacement replacement being stranded in Connecticut (thank you BYC for retrieving) and now this....
We just want to go racing!! Haha.

[Chris Chambers]

Sorry to hear that Mike - I am not aware of any "parts boats" on the west coast.  Had a friend with a Melges 24 who's crane line snapped.  $3K seems about what his bill was - but there was pretty significant damage to his keel box.  Good luck with the repair.

[Robert Homer]

Maybe contact Vince Valdes at Columbia Yachts in Orange County, Ca. He built the U20 for a short while.

I feel really bad for you and the boat. I just replaced my crane and the line.

http://www.columbiayachts.com/

[Mike Josselyn]

Sorry to see the photo and resulting damage.  Vince is good and can give you a fair price.  Also check with Craig Smith at Elkhorn Composites (831) 722-1654.   Your boat yard estimate is probably good given the travel costs to Watsonville, but at least you can get a comparison if you send pictures.