I just bought a 1986 catalina 22, that has had no one aboard for two years. The keel is stuck in the up position. I am not able to move the friction lock. I have soaked with WD40 and applied leverage with a wrench. It will not budge. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. I am anxious to sail!!!!!! Thank you in advance
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keel
Try PB Blaster on the locking bolt. If the keel is in the up position the locking bolt cannot be your problem as it can only come in contact with the keel when the keel is down. Sounds like you have a frozen keel pin. The pin should be Bronze. Someone might have replaced the Bronze pin with one made of steel. Be very careful at 550 lbs you don't want it to slam down doing damage to you or the boat. I think you will find the PB Blaster will free the pin. Most folks I know don't even use the locking bolt. I took mine out and replaced it with a bolt then covered it with 3M 4200.
Try PB Blaster on the locking bolt. If the keel is in the up position the locking bolt cannot be your problem as it can only come in contact with the keel when the keel is down. Sounds like you have a frozen keel pin. The pin should be Bronze. Someone might have replaced the Bronze pin with one made of steel. Be very careful at 550 lbs you don't want it to slam down doing damage to you or the boat. I think you will find the PB Blaster will free the pin. Most folks I know don't even use the locking bolt. I took mine out and replaced it with a bolt then covered it with 3M 4200.
Just Guessing
John--I agree with Ken. It might not be the friction lock but guessing the age of the boat, the lock probably has never been engaged and corrosion has set in. This sounds like a crazy question but, I surmize the boat is in the water and not on a trailer and with that in mind, when you try to crank the keel down, does the cable over feed off the reel and the handle get loose and sloppy? Or does the handle feel feel stiff and the movement tight? My reason for asking is I had friends sailing with me and they didn't wind the keel all the way up, they pushed the boat on to the trailer which slid the keel up in the trunk and then cranked the loose cable up on the reel and it over laped and would not unwind. Go Figure.
John--I agree with Ken. It might not be the friction lock but guessing the age of the boat, the lock probably has never been engaged and corrosion has set in. This sounds like a crazy question but, I surmize the boat is in the water and not on a trailer and with that in mind, when you try to crank the keel down, does the cable over feed off the reel and the handle get loose and sloppy? Or does the handle feel feel stiff and the movement tight? My reason for asking is I had friends sailing with me and they didn't wind the keel all the way up, they pushed the boat on to the trailer which slid the keel up in the trunk and then cranked the loose cable up on the reel and it over laped and would not unwind. Go Figure.
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