1972 Venture 17 swing keel help

Posted By: Beth and David
Date: 1/14/08 7:17p.m.

Report: outside forum guidelines

We just inherited a 1972 Venture 17 and are looking forward to getting it all polished and in the water. Only physical issue is that the swing keel has some tears in it and looks like it will need replacing. Any hints about finding a source? Is it possible to take the keel off and repair it if we cannot find a replacement (we read detailed directions on this or another message board for removing the keel)? My great aunt and uncle drove to CA from KS to buy this little gem in 1972 and took beautiful care of it all of these years. Since their deaths, their daughter had it, but has not sailed it in a number of years. Last May it was caught in the giant tornado that devastated Greensburg, KS. Remarkably - the building where it was stored was not destroyed, but the boat tipped on its side while on the trailer, hence the keel damage. We have been waiting for years for the right time to get a sailboat - and when I was in Greensburg helping my cousin, and she offered for me to take the boat, I jumped at the chance to set my husband up with a new all-consuming hobby to throw money at The fiberglass gelcoat is a little scuffed, but otherwise it is fine and just needs lots of patience and elbow grease. Any suggestions? I am happy to send pictures another time when we have less snow (we live at 7200 ft in Colorado)!