A 2013 should have lead ballast, not steel ballast- this issue shouldn't apply. Something is not adding up, I would recommend you take the boat to an expert that can assess the situation in person, or at least share a lot more details and photos with us to see if anyone has any ideas. You may want to talk to Bob Eeg as well, who built the boat. Sincerely, Tyler ----- Original Message ----- From: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> To: jimsadler@jascopacific.com, "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Cc: "Ronald McNeil" <ronaldwmcneil@yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 11:42:35 AM Subject: M_Boats: Re: Swollen trunk in 2013 M17 Thanks Jim.I don't think I want to take that on.I'm wondering if there is a propper way to convert to a permanent fixed keel.Thanks, Ron Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 11:34 AM, Jim Sadler<jimsadler@jascopacific.com> wrote: Yes Skipper You need to replace the steel ballast with lead. I did this on my M15 It was major surgery Capt Jim SV Pelican M15 -----Original Message----- From: Ronald McNeil via montgomery_boats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 11:30 AM To: casioqv@usermail.com; For and about Montgomery Sailboats <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Cc: Ronald McNeil <ronaldwmcneil@yahoo.com> Subject: M_Boats: Re: Swollen trunk in 2013 M17 High Tyler, it is a 2013. I'm the original owner.It's only spent a few overnights on the water and has never been in saltwater. We did not get any pics Thanks, Ron Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android On Fri, May 12, 2023 at 11:16 AM, casioqv@usermail.com<casioqv@usermail.com> wrote: Any photos of what you are seeing? How has the boat been used, was it moored in salt water? It is hard to imagine how this would be possible, since the keel should be essentially solid fiberglass with embedded lead. Can you confirm this is a 2013 model and not an earlier steel ballast model? Sincerely, Tyler Sage 17 #0 Goshawk ----- Original Message ----- From: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> To: "For and about Montgomery Sailboats" <montgomery_boats@mailman.xmission.com> Cc: "Ronald McNeil" <ronaldwmcneil@yahoo.com> Sent: Friday, May 12, 2023 10:19:12 AM Subject: M_Boats: Swollen trunk in 2013 M17 I have been having issues lowering my keel for some time and for the past year or so it would not drop at all. so i had it removed to see what's going on. What we found is that the trunk is seriously swollen insdie. We sanded the keel down and it's stil unable to swing freely. Is there any tried and true ways for address this? Thanks, Ron McNeilM17/Jackpot/#675