Keel Not Completely lowering

[Bruce]

After almost one year of work restoring a used 1979 Venture 22, I finally put it in the water and when I went to lower the keel, it did not come down completely. There were 3-4 wraps of wire left on the spool and the handle started spinning freely. My wife and I want the keel locked down for safety when sailing and need guidance on how to get the keel all the way down. The boat is currently in the water in a slip. Any advice is appreciated.

 

[Steve Paul]

All may not be lost

Keep it in the slip and try lowering a few times. I suspect rust, or debris, or marine growth that has dried is holding up the keel. Repeated attempts may clean out the channel. If not, then a thin piece of metal ie. like a machette repeatedly thrust in the side areas may remove enough dried material to let the keel lower. If you can't hold your breath you may have to take the boat out of the water. I really think you're partially there and given all but really strong winds you can sail her. Just keep lowering and raising. Let us know.Steve P.

 

[J. Barrett]

it probably is down

I have an '85 M25 with a swing keel. The keel is all of the way down with a few wraps of cable around the winch. This is for a reason. In order for a winch to safely function, the cable must be firmley attached. Most cables have a simple fitting pressed onto the end of the cable. This fitting is then attached to the winch drum with a bolt. without a few turns of cable around the winch drum, the fitting would more than likely pull off of the end of the cable when it starts to take a load. With a few turns of cable around the drum, the cable takes most of the load on itself as it tightens around the drum. I have an 8000 lb winch on my jeep. The directions with the winch stated specifically not to operate it with less than three turns of cable around the drum. Lower your keel and take a look, I'll bet your keel is all of the way down. In fact, it may lower past the lock hole and need to be drawn back somewhat for the lockbolt to be put in. A word about this, according to Bill at MacGregor, if you constantly sail with tension on the cable, you may cause excessive wear where the cable passes through the hull. Once the lock is in, spin the winch a couple of revolutions to slacken the cable. Happy sailing.

 

[vwjon]

lock bolt

It helps to have someone to look thru the hole as you crank the winch. Let it all the way down then have them watch as you slowly crank up. When lowering the keel put the lock bolt in so that the keel comes to a stop against it. Take the pressure off and remove the bolt. Count the turns of the winch handle as you lower the keel till the lock hole lines up. Remember the number and it's easy to find the hole the next time.

 

[Bruce]

Thanks

thanks for the info. We'll give it a try in a few days.