Swan 100
This German Frers designed Nautor Swan 100 spent the winter of 2019 undergoing an extensive mechanical refit. The bulk of the work consisted of replacing the propulsion engine and both generators, completing a bow-to-stern hydraulic systems overhaul, and modernizing of the PLC control center. The hull structure and keel installation were thoroughly inspected while access was available as well. Once all of the old equipment was removed from the engine room, I surveyed and 3D modeled the hull structure and remaining equipment. The engine room model allowed the systems department to design engine brackets and mock up raw water and exhaust runs before receiving the engine and generators. This allowed enough lead time for the parts to be ordered and metal fabrications to be made to minimize the delay between delivery of the engines and their installation.
Keel Cradle & Lifting Eyes
After 12 years of charter sailing the captain/owner’s rep. wanted to take advantage of the access to the hull floors to remove the keel for bolt inspection, re-bedding, and re-torquing the keel nuts. The removal of the 33 ton keel marks one of the heaviest keels Lyman-Morse has installed. Exceeding the safety margins for any lifting hardware on hand, I was tasked with engineering the lifting eyes and keel cradle. The largest hurdle to designing the lifting eyes was maximizing the safety margin while staying within materials that Lyman-Morse’s plasma cutter and welding equipment could cut and structurally weld. The typical lifting safety margin of 5:1 had to be compromised in order to achieve these goals. After extensive discussion with the project manager and rigging company, a safety margin of over 3:1 was agreed to be adequate given the keel was only being lifted high enough to move it a couple yards and lay it on its side. With the reinstallation of the keel, the vessel owner and captain can enjoy peace of mind for another 10+ years of sailing.