26S Keel Problem

[Curtiss Grant]

This weekend, I busted the keel out from under the boat BUT I did not hit anything in the water. The hinge bolt busted out of the keel hole, tore off the skin of the keel head and busted the resin inside the head area. We can not determine what caused the damage. I was in 9 feet of water, rought 3 to 4 foot chop almost headon, 18 + wind, sailing close hauled and with the keel line uncleated. It appeared that the keel hyper-extended, jerking the keel control line through the guides resulting in the keel being drug along under the boat. The keel is 1 year old and one suggestion is that it was a faulty keel originally. Another suggestion is that to much side pressure caused the damaged but I find that unlikely.A) any suggestions on thisB) has anyone 're-glassed' a keel C) how many 26S sail with the keel cleated up 1/4 rather than completely down. ThanksCurt

 

[John Dawson]

math + physics = no keel

If you were in 9 feet of water with 3 to 4 ft waves, and you had 6ft of keel under you, you probably didn't hit anything in the water. You probably hit the earth, with the force bearing on the fglass at the pivotpin. You need to remove the keel (apparently done), repair the fiberglass, replace metal parts, and find better marine advisers. A professional yard may be the best bet, I'm thinking.

 

[Mike F. M26s Guinnaveer]

I agree with John D.

You probably hit bottom. Since I sail in same type of waters,i would say you would not notice you were dragging ,once contact made side forces would be great.I almost always have my center board up some, i would guess its down about 2/3 .I do this because i get vibration thru entire boat sometimes,tension on the lift line stops the vibration.