I've read alot about keel klunk, and I hear it when I put the keel down and back up on my '77. But I also hear some klunking when I'm on a broad reach or running. Then I crank it up a couple of turns and it goes away. Is this normal, or could I have a keel related problem?
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T
Ted
Klunker Keel
The klunk that you worry about is when the keel is down and you are underway. The klunking means that your keel and pin are no longer one and have separated. Inspection and probable repair work are in order. If you let it go long enough, the keel falls out. No good stories there. The keel will also klunk when raised if the pin has become wicked loose. Regards, Ted
The klunk that you worry about is when the keel is down and you are underway. The klunking means that your keel and pin are no longer one and have separated. Inspection and probable repair work are in order. If you let it go long enough, the keel falls out. No good stories there. The keel will also klunk when raised if the pin has become wicked loose. Regards, Ted
Klunk
From what I read, most keel pins are not a tight fit in the keel. Mine is not either, although it's a reasonably good fit. You should worry more about the structural integrity of your pivot point before all else. Inspect, inspect, inspect. If the hole in the keel and the shape of the pin are still relatively round and a reasonably good fit, everything should be fine. If you want to eliminate the klunk after that, get the shim kit and the new hangars from Catalina Direct. Installing these items will eliminate all side-to-side play of the keel at the pin location and up inside the trunk. I installed it on my boat and it works very well. When my keel is down, it's as solid as a fixed keel (side-to-side). I get no noise or klunk what-so-ever. In fact the shims add a little extra friction up in the trunk due to the tight fit, which I like since I don't use my lock-down bolt. The fact that you're getting klunk noise when raising and lowering the keel doesn't sound good. It sounds like the hole in your keel might be elongated. There are lots of posts regarding how to get that fixed if it's bad. It involves drilling and installing a bushing in the keel to make the hole round again. But, first thing's first, get your inspection done and then go from there.
From what I read, most keel pins are not a tight fit in the keel. Mine is not either, although it's a reasonably good fit. You should worry more about the structural integrity of your pivot point before all else. Inspect, inspect, inspect. If the hole in the keel and the shape of the pin are still relatively round and a reasonably good fit, everything should be fine. If you want to eliminate the klunk after that, get the shim kit and the new hangars from Catalina Direct. Installing these items will eliminate all side-to-side play of the keel at the pin location and up inside the trunk. I installed it on my boat and it works very well. When my keel is down, it's as solid as a fixed keel (side-to-side). I get no noise or klunk what-so-ever. In fact the shims add a little extra friction up in the trunk due to the tight fit, which I like since I don't use my lock-down bolt. The fact that you're getting klunk noise when raising and lowering the keel doesn't sound good. It sounds like the hole in your keel might be elongated. There are lots of posts regarding how to get that fixed if it's bad. It involves drilling and installing a bushing in the keel to make the hole round again. But, first thing's first, get your inspection done and then go from there.
Keel Pin on C22
Just a finer point to Dave's comments. The keel pin on a C22 IS a compressed fit into the keel. The keel and pin should be as one unit and pivot on the keel bushings. This differences the C22 from many other trailer sailboats. Most keel pin wear is caused by the bushings siezing up so tight that the keel has to turn around the pin rather than the keel-and-pin turning in the bushing. Marine grease work wonders on this problem. So, any amount of slop in the keel is cause for concern, and needs attention at some point. Regards, Ted
Just a finer point to Dave's comments. The keel pin on a C22 IS a compressed fit into the keel. The keel and pin should be as one unit and pivot on the keel bushings. This differences the C22 from many other trailer sailboats. Most keel pin wear is caused by the bushings siezing up so tight that the keel has to turn around the pin rather than the keel-and-pin turning in the bushing. Marine grease work wonders on this problem. So, any amount of slop in the keel is cause for concern, and needs attention at some point. Regards, Ted
B
bob
Thanks to you guys, I now understand.
I appreciate all the comments. Ted, your last post really clarified things, so let me ask you this: Someone suggested that, even though there may be pin seperation, installing spacers from Cat Direct would greatly help the problem, and it could get me by for another year or so, as long as there is no structural damage where the bushings are, and the pin is in fairly good shape. Your thoughts?
I appreciate all the comments. Ted, your last post really clarified things, so let me ask you this: Someone suggested that, even though there may be pin seperation, installing spacers from Cat Direct would greatly help the problem, and it could get me by for another year or so, as long as there is no structural damage where the bushings are, and the pin is in fairly good shape. Your thoughts?
T
Ted
Do both . . .
The spacers may stiffen things up a bit, but the keel pin wear will still occur from the raising and lowering. Catalina Direct also sells a pin repair kit. You will most likely need to have a machine shop over bore the keel to put in the new insert for the pin. Personally, I would do both and I would add the spacers even to a "good" keel/pin. There is too much force on the pin to resist sideways motion, and the spacers help take up the load. Regards, Ted
The spacers may stiffen things up a bit, but the keel pin wear will still occur from the raising and lowering. Catalina Direct also sells a pin repair kit. You will most likely need to have a machine shop over bore the keel to put in the new insert for the pin. Personally, I would do both and I would add the spacers even to a "good" keel/pin. There is too much force on the pin to resist sideways motion, and the spacers help take up the load. Regards, Ted
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