Adding lead toSwing Keel

[J. Folds]

MY Oday 22 swing keel seems really light weight. It seems to almost float which is why I think I have problems getting it down sometimes. THe previous owners said they replaced it, could they have put in the wrong type. I am thinking of glassing lead into the swing keel. Is this a good Idea? Everybody else I have talked to has added lead to the keel on hull so I was wondering if there was a reason not to add it to the swing keel.

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Adding lead

J - I would be really reluctant to do any major modification to the swing keel. If you could do it cleanly by boring a hole and adding a few pounds of lead then it might not be a big deal but remember that you have a significant lever arm that will increase the force that small amount of lead feels like to your arm and hand several times from the perspective of the pivot mechanism. Are you sure the board isn't down? Are you sure the pivot mechanism is operating smoothly and not binding? I would make sure that everything is right and fix it rather than bandaiding it. If you find it is already all correct then I would call Rudy Nickerson at D and R Marine - link in the links page. Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[J. Folds]

It seems to want to float

It seems to be to light to fall down on its own. Wants to float.

 

[Don Evans]

Adding Weight

I don't see a problem with adding a few pounds of lead to make the board sink when lowered. If I'm correct though the original board had an insert of lead (steel?) to make the foam board sinkable. Could be yours was replaced with a neutrally or positively bouyant CB? Could some of you guys who have rebuilt their CB confirm this.To Darren, though I think your talking about adding a few hundred pounds of ballast to the keel area, presumably to increase stability and stiffness? Before you change the dynamics of your vessel permanently, you might try sailing with a few hundred pounds of whatever sitting strapped to the salon floor, as close to the keel as possible to see how she will react. My guess is that it will be stiffer, but slower. Perhaps you can live with this?Don

 

[proto57]

O'Day's advice on adding #... and weighted C/B's

Darren: I have a copy of the original O'Day manual, and they said that you can add up to 200 pounds of lead, in the form of lead shot, into the bilge pump hole so it sits directly on top of the keel (on the stub keel boats). They also say that you can pour epoxy or poly resin in to hold it in place, IF it is all dry down there. If O'Day OK's it, I'd trust the advice. I am happy with my original 600#, however... I never felt the boat is tender, as others have. As for the other question on the centerboard not sinking, I agree that there would be nothing wrong with adding a "plug" of lead to make it sink. I built a 20' cruising boat with centerboard, and the plans called for 35 pounds of lead inserted to sink it. This worked out to a rectangular section about 5x9", and 1 1/2" thick. I poured it in our wooden board, but I would not do that with the fiberglass board, of course (assuming they did not replace it with wood). But you could cut out a section, insert lead mixed with some resin, and glass it in from both sides. But if the board is wood, and you do pour, remember to put screws into the sides of the hole to secure the lead when it pours around it. Mine has stayed that way for 10 years now. Rich.