Salperton Keel

Built for Fitzroy Yachts in New Plymouth, Salperton was launched in 2007.

The keel was made as a sub-assembly complete with a centre case for a 2.3m wide x 3m deep composite centre board and with ballast access for the 60 tons of lead to be installed onsite at Fitzroy Yachts.

After pressure testing and finishing, the keel was transported by road to New Plymouth and installed into the hull. Bos & Carr developed and assembled a robot to carry out some of the 100% double continuous full penetration welding inside the centrecase that was otherwise impossible to access. Bos & Carr developed the shell plating with Maxsurf Workshop Software, plotted plates with their 6.1m x 1.8m plotter and pressed the shell plates with their 60 ton in-house manufactured hydraulic press. The finished result: the challenge was met with production of a top quality product and two Boatbuilding Companies enjoyed a great working relationship.