wow 2 keels fell off
This is most unfortunate. I think that this is not very commin for this to happen this frequently. "sappysailor" I think that one thing that I'd do at this point is go over everything. You may have got a bargain that is worth it or not but I would check other things. Fiberglass cracks, blisters and damage. I'd check for leaks from rain or hull leaks, I'd check the wood work for rot. (Like the bottoms of the bulkheads and the various storage areas that are divided by wood plywood partitions. Check the deck out by the mast for sturdiness. I know that certain things are different between the years so mind what I say. Ken may have better info. but another thing I did would be to go around all of the screws and bolts checking for loose ones. This includes the rudder, the motor mounts, all of the wood work. If you have an old or not so new outboard have it checked over and cleaned periodically . Take a good look at your rope lines and sails for chafe and wear. Look at your shrouds for wear and meathooks. Look at your mast and boom extrusons and such for cracks and bends. In case I missed something, I would investigate the loads of information that is on the internet already (like http://www.chipford.com/ ) about typical maintenance procedures. I guess that these boats aren't made to work woth out some regular preventative manintenance. Hence some of the boat names like "hole in the wallet", "last penney"...you get the drift. Then when you do get your keel back on, check for side play where it can swing if it's suspended on the trailer or on slings. The more that the keel wobbles to the starboard and port as in on a mooring or dock, the more this will speed up the wear that caused that keel to fall off. Checking this wobble with the keel up is easy but checking with it down make take some jacking of the hull. Stopping this side play may actually involve removing the keel hangers and replacing them with new ones that would have to be be ground down to fit more snugly. Of course the hanger bolts shoud be replaced every few years. I am convinced that the turning ball and lifting equipment should have a close eyeball every year .....or more often. I am always feeling how the keel lifts when I crank the winch. If it starts to hit (as in not smooth) the turning ball may be getting a flat side and this isn't good for the cable. If you guys can post things about this and/or photos, it would be great if only for the fact that you may draw attention to an important safety precaution for our boats. You may save another person from this problem or you may help another that is having this problem. hmmm...Makes me wonder if any C22 Pilots have posted a regular safety/maintenance schedule on the net. Now I know for sure that the "rocker stoppers" thingies at dock are a good idea. Thanks ~bilbo N.E. Ohio
This is most unfortunate. I think that this is not very commin for this to happen this frequently. "sappysailor" I think that one thing that I'd do at this point is go over everything. You may have got a bargain that is worth it or not but I would check other things. Fiberglass cracks, blisters and damage. I'd check for leaks from rain or hull leaks, I'd check the wood work for rot. (Like the bottoms of the bulkheads and the various storage areas that are divided by wood plywood partitions. Check the deck out by the mast for sturdiness. I know that certain things are different between the years so mind what I say. Ken may have better info. but another thing I did would be to go around all of the screws and bolts checking for loose ones. This includes the rudder, the motor mounts, all of the wood work. If you have an old or not so new outboard have it checked over and cleaned periodically . Take a good look at your rope lines and sails for chafe and wear. Look at your shrouds for wear and meathooks. Look at your mast and boom extrusons and such for cracks and bends. In case I missed something, I would investigate the loads of information that is on the internet already (like http://www.chipford.com/ ) about typical maintenance procedures. I guess that these boats aren't made to work woth out some regular preventative manintenance. Hence some of the boat names like "hole in the wallet", "last penney"...you get the drift. Then when you do get your keel back on, check for side play where it can swing if it's suspended on the trailer or on slings. The more that the keel wobbles to the starboard and port as in on a mooring or dock, the more this will speed up the wear that caused that keel to fall off. Checking this wobble with the keel up is easy but checking with it down make take some jacking of the hull. Stopping this side play may actually involve removing the keel hangers and replacing them with new ones that would have to be be ground down to fit more snugly. Of course the hanger bolts shoud be replaced every few years. I am convinced that the turning ball and lifting equipment should have a close eyeball every year .....or more often. I am always feeling how the keel lifts when I crank the winch. If it starts to hit (as in not smooth) the turning ball may be getting a flat side and this isn't good for the cable. If you guys can post things about this and/or photos, it would be great if only for the fact that you may draw attention to an important safety precaution for our boats. You may save another person from this problem or you may help another that is having this problem. hmmm...Makes me wonder if any C22 Pilots have posted a regular safety/maintenance schedule on the net. Now I know for sure that the "rocker stoppers" thingies at dock are a good idea. Thanks ~bilbo N.E. Ohio