This weekend, for the first time, I got a chance to dive under and look at our keel fully extended. I knew the keel itself would not be in the best condition but I was curious about the cable and the connection to the keel. (see attached photo) Surprisingly the cable and end fitting looked fine, like new even, though I have no record of it ever being refitted by either of the previous two owners. (This is a '76, all fresh water time) Now what concerns me, besides all the slop in the pivot, is the bend in the cable end fitting - is it supposed to be there, and is it oriented the right way - and what exactly is it connecting to on the keel itself. The plan is to pull the keel this winter and make it all right, so it would be most convenient if it stayed on until then. Would appreciate any input. Thanks, John
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greg
comment on photo
Very good photo. I just replaced my keel cable and the swaged eye that attaches to the keel. Mine does not have the "kink" in the swaged eye. Nor was there a kink in the one I replaced. I replaced it because the cable was rusted as it entered the swage fitting and several of the steel cable strands were rusted through. I would say yours is not 'normal' and you are right to replace it.
Very good photo. I just replaced my keel cable and the swaged eye that attaches to the keel. Mine does not have the "kink" in the swaged eye. Nor was there a kink in the one I replaced. I replaced it because the cable was rusted as it entered the swage fitting and several of the steel cable strands were rusted through. I would say yours is not 'normal' and you are right to replace it.
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John renfro
kink
hello John, the cable you show is damaged, it should be a straight attachment that swivels at the connecting eye on the keel john
hello John, the cable you show is damaged, it should be a straight attachment that swivels at the connecting eye on the keel john
R
Rick
B
Bayard Gross
What may have caused this
It is possible that the fork end of your cable where it attaches to the keel may have bent during a initial keel lifting. I think this is understandable by the way it is bent upward. To avoid this, I think this fork and pin should be well lubricated with a good marine water resistant grease at the begining of each season. I personally do this myself. A second possibility, but one I don't think is the case, is that the area around the keel pin (that is foward on the keel where it pivots on the keel hangers) may be seriuosly elongated. As the keel is brought nearly to its upper position, the keel may move foward on the elongated hole and the move backward after fully raised bending the fork forward that is well fitted into the hole where the cable enters the boat. This is speculation on my part, as I have no information to this actually hapenning on a C-22. But I do think you should take a look at you keel pin area. Also, your kin pin may be worn, causing stress when the keel is lifted. You may not notice this on the very powerful keel winch. This stress could have caused the fork to bend.
It is possible that the fork end of your cable where it attaches to the keel may have bent during a initial keel lifting. I think this is understandable by the way it is bent upward. To avoid this, I think this fork and pin should be well lubricated with a good marine water resistant grease at the begining of each season. I personally do this myself. A second possibility, but one I don't think is the case, is that the area around the keel pin (that is foward on the keel where it pivots on the keel hangers) may be seriuosly elongated. As the keel is brought nearly to its upper position, the keel may move foward on the elongated hole and the move backward after fully raised bending the fork forward that is well fitted into the hole where the cable enters the boat. This is speculation on my part, as I have no information to this actually hapenning on a C-22. But I do think you should take a look at you keel pin area. Also, your kin pin may be worn, causing stress when the keel is lifted. You may not notice this on the very powerful keel winch. This stress could have caused the fork to bend.
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John
Interesting ...
... Rick's cable looks to be bent 'up', while ours is bent 'down'. I blocked the boat up on the trailer and lowered the keel a bit for a closer examination. Other than being bent, the fork, eye bolt, and pin all appear to be fine. There is slop at the keel pivot but I don't think it would be enough to misalign the cable as it came up. One thought is that maybe the boat got loaded on the trailer with the keel down enough to cause slack in the cable as it came on and pinched the fork fitting against the trunk. I have new spare parts now that I will keep handy until I do the keel refurbish this winter. Unscrewing that eyebolt out of the keel makes me nervous having just busted a bolt on the trailer this weekend. I'll give everything a good coat of grease before she goes back in the water this season - thanks for the reminder Bayard. John
... Rick's cable looks to be bent 'up', while ours is bent 'down'. I blocked the boat up on the trailer and lowered the keel a bit for a closer examination. Other than being bent, the fork, eye bolt, and pin all appear to be fine. There is slop at the keel pivot but I don't think it would be enough to misalign the cable as it came up. One thought is that maybe the boat got loaded on the trailer with the keel down enough to cause slack in the cable as it came on and pinched the fork fitting against the trunk. I have new spare parts now that I will keep handy until I do the keel refurbish this winter. Unscrewing that eyebolt out of the keel makes me nervous having just busted a bolt on the trailer this weekend. I'll give everything a good coat of grease before she goes back in the water this season - thanks for the reminder Bayard. John
A
Aldo
Did you examine the slot?
First, your photo is great. You're lucky to be able to have water clear enough to take a photo like that. I can't even see my hand when I extend my arm below the water. I thought about your photo, and also believe that the keel probably wasn't pulled up when the boat was winched onto the trailer. The slack in the cable probably sprung the toggle backwards, and bent it when the weight of the boat was on it. Did you look at or feel the slot. It may also be damaged. I suspect that it will be very challenging to get the part with the hole out of the keel. I believe that it is stainless steel, screwed into the cast iron keel. Since these are dissimilar metals, I suspect that the corrosion will make this part tough to remove. Unless it's not really bad, I wouldn't even try to remove the fitting from the keel. I don't think that play here would hurt anything. Thanks again for the interesting photo. Aldo
First, your photo is great. You're lucky to be able to have water clear enough to take a photo like that. I can't even see my hand when I extend my arm below the water. I thought about your photo, and also believe that the keel probably wasn't pulled up when the boat was winched onto the trailer. The slack in the cable probably sprung the toggle backwards, and bent it when the weight of the boat was on it. Did you look at or feel the slot. It may also be damaged. I suspect that it will be very challenging to get the part with the hole out of the keel. I believe that it is stainless steel, screwed into the cast iron keel. Since these are dissimilar metals, I suspect that the corrosion will make this part tough to remove. Unless it's not really bad, I wouldn't even try to remove the fitting from the keel. I don't think that play here would hurt anything. Thanks again for the interesting photo. Aldo
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John
Which slot Aldo?
Did you mean the slot in the fork on the cable, or the slot in the hull for the keel? Or maybe the through-hull pipe for the cable? The fork seems ok though I haven't yet pulled the clevis pin out to look further. There is some wear in the hull keel slot but it doesn't look too serious. I too am inclined not to mess with the stainless eye bolt in the keel. It doesn't feel loose. Re. the photo. Yes, we do indeed appreciate being able to get on such clear water. That shot was taken at Flathead lake, MT. The original image off the camera was surprisingly clear but got a little fuzzy downsizing for the web. Thanks, John
Did you mean the slot in the fork on the cable, or the slot in the hull for the keel? Or maybe the through-hull pipe for the cable? The fork seems ok though I haven't yet pulled the clevis pin out to look further. There is some wear in the hull keel slot but it doesn't look too serious. I too am inclined not to mess with the stainless eye bolt in the keel. It doesn't feel loose. Re. the photo. Yes, we do indeed appreciate being able to get on such clear water. That shot was taken at Flathead lake, MT. The original image off the camera was surprisingly clear but got a little fuzzy downsizing for the web. Thanks, John
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Aldo
John
John: I meant the slot or groove in the hull, near and slightly aft of where the keel comes out. Aldo
John: I meant the slot or groove in the hull, near and slightly aft of where the keel comes out. Aldo
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