There is occasional maintenance required
Scot, the Sandpiper's retractable keel mechanism is quite robust. As Michel mentioned, the keel is lowered and raised by a bronze jack screw. The keel weighs 300#'s, and is lead incased in fibreglass. It is sometimes necessary to lubricate the jack screw. If you find the crank hard to turn, it's time to clean and lubricate. This is accomplished by supporting the keel from under the boat. From inside the boat, remove the keel trunk covering and drill out the rivets that hold the jack screw aluminum retaining plate. At this point, turning the screw will result in the screw turning out of the keel, and into the cabin, where it can be cleaned and lubricated. There is a small bearing under the turning nuts, at the retaining plate. This bearing can usually be cleaned, and returned to service. If it happens to be rusty, replace it. CL Sailboats in Fort Erie ON, has replacement parts available. Once the screw has been lubricated, reverse the disassembly procedure, and your keel screw will operate effortlessly, for many more years. This is NOT an annual maintenance job. FWIW, I used anti sieze compound on my keel screw. Others have used a waterproof grease. Apart from that occasinal maintenance, there's nothing else to do, but sail

. Good luck with you purchase Scot. If you have any other questions don't be afraid to ask!Rex, there is no connection between Edel, and CL Sailboats(the Sandpiper manufacturer) that I'm aware of, other than being competitors. My Sandpiper was built by Waterhouse and May, C&L Sailboats, in Pickering. The Sandpiper is of British design. Rex do you have a boat in both Toronto and Annapolis?? Eric