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I need to fabricate a new outer keel for a 17ft Grady White Hatteras. I am thinking that I can make the keel from a straight piece of oak and that it will be able to bend enough when fastened to follow the slight curve of the hull up near the stem. Is this a good assumption or should I be looking at a way to fabricate the keel with it having some curvature to match the hull?

On Thompson of Peshtigo lapstrake boats the keel is straight. Not sure if Grady-White did something different.

If you cannot bend it, try steam bending or boiling water poured on the wood to get it to bend.

Andreas