Keel rope let go

[Bing]

Hi all trailer sailersHas anyone ever had their keel drop unexpectedly? What can you do to stop it happening? CheersBing

 

[Chuck]

while on the trailer

While trailering, I put a 2" wide ratchet strap completely around the hull to support the keel rather than rely on the hauling line. I hook the ends of the strap together and make sure I miss the bunks on the trailer.

 

[Bing]

It let go on the water

We were motoring into an anchorage and had the keel halfway up when all of a sudden, BANG!!!!! it fell to the bottom. We thought it had gone all the way through, but when we got the chance to dive under, it was still there. We shipped a little bit of water and fixed that with some of that emergency epoxy that you knead and stick on. Worked a treat. Luckily it's covered by insurance. B.T.W. it's not a Hunter, it's a Ross 780.

 

[Bob]

Parts is parts

Whether you have a lifting pendant that is wire, or rope, or a combo of both, it is important to check everything there on a regular basis. Metal parts corrode and wear, line fatigues and abrades. Even when everything is A-1, bad things can still happen. I know a guy whose keel must have gone over a submerged tree stump or something similar. It lifted about half way, then when the boat had passed over whatever it was, the keel dropped so hard that it ripped out the raising winch.

 

[Bing]

We did that

We had replaced the keel rope only a matter of a couple of months before and had only gone out about 3 times so it was almost new. What actually failed was the splice. It just gradually worked its way out. We have now been advised to get it stitched in place. We will certainly be doing that.Bing