I loaded Tiger Lilly on the trailer at Huntington lake last week, which appeared to be uneventful and the usual, regular loading with no drama or bloodshed. While stowing the mast, I noticed that the trailer starboard keel guide had been crushed, broken, and pushed out of the way. (Well, for the purpose of loading, out of the way. Launching will be another story.) The boat sat innocently on the trailer, and had nothing to say about the incident, and the fractured redwood wasn't ratting on anyone. A mystery, to be sure, but I have 4 adult children, so I know a cover up when I see one.
Then, while cleaning out the boat, noticed the cable from the winch to the keel was very loose, lots of slack and tangled. I noticed the end of the cable was no longer being held by the u-bolt clamp dealy on the back side of the winch reel. The cable and winch itself appear to be in good spirits, with only minor injury to the twist where the clamp failed. Friction appears to have kept a working bite on the cable sufficient to raise the keel without adequate clamping force. The visible hardware/connections are surprisingly clean and show no obvious signs of wear or deterioration -other than where it slipped the grasp of the clamp. I am not sure if any PO had changed the winch or cable, and I have had her since 2009 or so. I cannot remember changing them, but I forget stuff. ANYWAY, I am wondering how many wraps should be on the winch reel when the keel is down, so I can determine if I need to figure a way to change the cable (and keel hardware) before I put it back in some water. Also suspicious if the damage to the trailer and winch cable are the beginning of a mutiny.
Then, while cleaning out the boat, noticed the cable from the winch to the keel was very loose, lots of slack and tangled. I noticed the end of the cable was no longer being held by the u-bolt clamp dealy on the back side of the winch reel. The cable and winch itself appear to be in good spirits, with only minor injury to the twist where the clamp failed. Friction appears to have kept a working bite on the cable sufficient to raise the keel without adequate clamping force. The visible hardware/connections are surprisingly clean and show no obvious signs of wear or deterioration -other than where it slipped the grasp of the clamp. I am not sure if any PO had changed the winch or cable, and I have had her since 2009 or so. I cannot remember changing them, but I forget stuff. ANYWAY, I am wondering how many wraps should be on the winch reel when the keel is down, so I can determine if I need to figure a way to change the cable (and keel hardware) before I put it back in some water. Also suspicious if the damage to the trailer and winch cable are the beginning of a mutiny.
