The bracket is an "L" shaped piece of stainless flat stock that attaches the keel trunk to the bulkhead for support of the keel trunk... That is very good to know, thanks for the info. I'm replacing my bulkhead this winter as it was allowed to totally soak with water by PO By the way, sho...

What is this plate attached to and what is its purpose?

These guys have some cool boat building plans. How handy are you?
http://www.woodenwidget.com/origami.htm

Just a quick note for anyone who plans to replace their keel winch over this winter... Princess Auto has a "special buy" right now for a brake winch that looks like a reasonable replacement for the factory winch: http://www.princessauto.com/pal/product/8435117/Brake/1%2C200-lb-Auto-Brake-H...

The motor manufacturer will specify in the manual what the acceptable height range is from the waterline to the top of the transom (in the case of a sailboat, to the top of the motor mount bolted to the transom) The problem with a short shaft motor is that you would have to have your mount set reall...

Great, thanks... I know the previous owner of this boat which is comforting because I'm aware of its history. The cable actually looked in great shape on the trailer. But I plan to check and change the keel hardware over winter just to be sure. I wasn't operating the winch at the time but my buddy s...

We were cranking the keel up today (as our slip is a tight squeeze with some shallow rocks nearby) and partway up there was a boat shuddering clunk - as if the keel fell down. I thought the cable may have broken. Upon continued cranking though, there was still weight on the cable. Once we were tied ...

If the lock bolt hole in the keel lines up with the hole in the trunk though, I assume the keel hole is still reasonably close to original roundness...?

I plan to drop the keel this winter and inspect everything, sand and maybe paint/epoxy the keel and replace bolts/cables as necessary anyways.

I also worry about higher seas. My main worry is losing the centreboard somehow. Is there some reinforcement I should do to the trunk, pivot bolt or lock bolt? I just can't stop thinking that two bolts holding that heavy keel are enough in the long run! Does anyone know the proper lock bolt size? Mi...