keel raising
- Thread starter orion mccammon
- Start date
I had replaced the hand winch on my Catalina 25 with an electric winch to raise the 1550 lbs of keel. Avoiding the arduous twenty-seven cranks in a awkward position.
A center board may weigh around 30 lbs but a ballasted swing keel will weigh way North of 500 lbs so the length of the crank lever will give you some purchase as well as having a brake to hold the keel should you need to stop the raising operation. Why some install winches on center boards is beyond me but to each its own.
I should be able to raise keel on my 2001 hunter 260 swing keel, with pulleys. I Think pulley system is original equipment. Do not know weight of keel. Should have given more info to start with. Thanks for you reply. Orion
Most times I can use my body weight to pull up the swing keel. Sometimes I'm feeling my age and use the winch.
If you have block and tackle on the H26.5 like the H260, then the answer is; You don't. If you can handle the weight without a winch, then do it.
If you have block and tackle on the H26.5 like the H260, then the answer is; You don't. If you can handle the weight without a winch, then do it.
I am only familiar with the 26.5 Hunter wing keel that weighs appx 1800 pounds. Did the 26.5 have a swing keel?
If you are referring to the Hunter 26 waterballast swing keel, it actually is a swing centerboard as the water inside the tank is the ballast. The board for intent purposes weighs about 90 to 100 pounds and thru a pulley system, that line is attached to the head of the centerboard. It is hard but in most cases with a umph and another umph, I could raise it by hand. However, it is easier to raise via winch and is up all the way when you hear the clunk sound. Never even think of adding an electric winch for that due to cost and possible damage if over cranked.
So, I am not sure what boat you have unless the 26.5 did have indeed a swing keel but not sure.
crazy dave condon
If you are referring to the Hunter 26 waterballast swing keel, it actually is a swing centerboard as the water inside the tank is the ballast. The board for intent purposes weighs about 90 to 100 pounds and thru a pulley system, that line is attached to the head of the centerboard. It is hard but in most cases with a umph and another umph, I could raise it by hand. However, it is easier to raise via winch and is up all the way when you hear the clunk sound. Never even think of adding an electric winch for that due to cost and possible damage if over cranked.
So, I am not sure what boat you have unless the 26.5 did have indeed a swing keel but not sure.
crazy dave condon
The problem is with the geometry of the line routing at the centerboard, poor leverage.
Our 2000 240wb was the same way, always needed the winch to get it all the way up. I even had the board removed by a dealer to install a new control line and to check every thing out. No difference, use the winch.
TIP: If your control lines are "stretched in" as in they won't stretch further. Mark the line where it exits the mast step for full up position. See mark! Stop cranking!
Our 2000 240wb was the same way, always needed the winch to get it all the way up. I even had the board removed by a dealer to install a new control line and to check every thing out. No difference, use the winch.
TIP: If your control lines are "stretched in" as in they won't stretch further. Mark the line where it exits the mast step for full up position. See mark! Stop cranking!
Orion;
Thank you for advising which specific boat. Follow my advice and include the advice from Dan particularly the last comment. I know these boats too well having been involved from many aspects and also as a dealer which by the way, I believe I may have sold a large substantial amount of the 260.
crazy dave condon
crazy dave Condon
Thank you for advising which specific boat. Follow my advice and include the advice from Dan particularly the last comment. I know these boats too well having been involved from many aspects and also as a dealer which by the way, I believe I may have sold a large substantial amount of the 260.
crazy dave condon
crazy dave Condon
Has anyone added another block to the 260 keel to aid in raising and lowering .
I sometimes like to leave the keel half way down when on broad reach.
It may help with the tendency to round up.
It would be nice to raise by hand straight to a cleat.
I sometimes like to leave the keel half way down when on broad reach.
It may help with the tendency to round up.
It would be nice to raise by hand straight to a cleat.
I don't know if this is the way it came from the factory or if the previous owner did this. I still have to use the winch and handle to raise the keel.
It's the white-ish line. I didn't realize it could be confusing until after I uploaded the images.
Attachments
Your pictures look very similar to what I have, with regards to raising keel. Seems as though just the way it is. Thanks Orion
Speculating on why you would need a winch on a light CB, it may be hard to raise if there is a current pushing it sideways - IE at a dock. It wouldn't take much of a current to induce a moderately high side load due to leverage. On my 12' converted Sears v-hull, I couldn't raise my leeboards if there was any side load on them at all.