Pouring a Lead Keel for Eleanor

January 2002

A Bathtub full of lead sits atop of a Wood Fire

Just before the Christmas break, we poured Eleanor's lead keel. At 7am I started a hardwood fire that burned under the cast-iron bathtub cauldron until 2pm, melting over one ton of scrap lead. We poured the molten lead into a wooden mold carefully made by apprentices Cullam Nelson and Karnell Hillscan. It was an excellent day and a delightful, unusual experience. We are now also fashioning all the backbone pieces, molds and sawn frames. We hope to have the boat set up in the next few weeks for lining off.