Info on Keel operation

[Ron Allen]

Could anyone tell me how the keel is lowered and raised in the 22ft model?The handle seems to only go up and the cable locks in the reel.Thanks Ron

 

[Rich P.]

Basic winch

Ron:I'm just south of you in Waretown. It's your basic winch...just mounted differently. If the cable is locking, I suggest you get underneath the trim and squirt the cable down with some WD-40. Sounds like the winch may need a good lube too, so it couldn't hurt to spray it. Don't crank the cable up too tight on the drum, you'll just make the situation worse and run the risk of snapping that pennant that connects to the keel.

 

[Mike]

Check the winch

Ron,Did you just buy this boat used? The previous owner may have replaced the winch with the wrong type, to save a couple of dollars.Check the winch to see if it's the type that is used on trailors for the bow cable. If your boat has one of those types of winches which has a dog to catch in the gears, get rid of it ASAP. You'll eventually let the handle slip, and could end up with a broken hand, not to mention a possible sinking boat when the falling keel busts your keel trunk. Another possibility, but it doesn't sound like it from your description, is that the cable is overwrapped upon itself, and won't allow the cable to unwrap.

 

[Ted]

It is a WORKING Winch

The proper winch for the C22 is a 1000 lb. rated working winch made by Fulton.A "working" winch differs from a regular winch in that it has a clutch mechanism rather than a latch. It will not run away on you.It sounds like you may have the wrong kind of winch, and as the other post stated, watch out. It will not work properly and it will let the keel go down too rapidly and trash the boat. Then you will need to swim ashore.

 

[Rich P.]

Duh!

The guys are right. Check that winch. I didn't even consider that it might not be a working winch. In the past, I have had the cable bind on mine in the barrel. That's what I thought might be happening to you.