Mishap at the start

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soldier1964

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Jul 8, 2012
144
Helms 25 indiana
just need to pick a few brains for a weird problem. got my boat in the water for the past few weeks, and all was going well. then just the other day, was planning on a sailing for the day when I noticed that my keel would not lower. we had a flood that launched quite a bunch of trees, logs and debris into the water.

I beleive that a log hit the keel and lodge a branch or something between the keel and the housing thats preventing it from lowering. tried everything that I can think of without getting into the cold water. is there any way to dislodge the keel or should I just jump in and get it over with?
 
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Mike B1026

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Jun 17, 2007
402
MacGregor Mac26S Victoria Tx
I'm not clear. Is this a new to you boat? "mishap at the start" Have you sailed it before and have lowered the centerboard/keel?
 
Erieau

Erieau

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Apr 3, 2009
209
Oday 25 Erieau
A piece of branch may have jammed in the CB cable as you raised it last time, wedging itself in the CB trunk.
Does the cable travel through a tube in a straight line down to the CB? Use a narrow rod to push the CB down.
If that doesn't work, consider going out on a lumpy day to try and "shake" the CB out, with the CB cable slack to allow it to fall.
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Dive

I would dive under or have a dive inspect it before any damage may happen,something is wrong and if you did not get to see everything was working properly before splashing.
Nick
 
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soldier1964

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Jul 8, 2012
144
Helms 25 indiana
the beel worked fine before splashing. both up and down Mike. I think I'll run the outboard and see iif it shakes loose Joe. If that doesnt do it ,guess I will be getting wet seadaddler. Hate cold water though but if it is to be then so be it..
 
ITMaster

ITMaster

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Jun 19, 2004
512
Catalina 387 Hull # 24 Port Charlotte, Florida
A little work but...

Why not put the boat back on the trailer, pull it out of the water and look at it?
 
seadaddler

seadaddler

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Dec 19, 2006
5,832
Hunter 36 Punta Gorda
Trailer

Might not be able to drop it on trailer,pick a warm day to go under and look and I dive under my boat often with a dive tank hooked up to 40'hose when diving but here in Florida :dance: real warm.
Nick
 
wflowe2

wflowe2

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Oct 15, 2009
220
catalina 320 Perry Lake
At least on the trailer you can have a chance of seeing the problem without freezing your ___ off trying to "see" with your hands.
 
Johnnie Walker Black

Johnnie Walker Black

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Apr 10, 2008
47
Catalina 30 Detroit
Whatever you do... be careful trying to shake the centerboard loose with a slack keel cable. Maybe a couple of inches loose at the most. You could break the fitting and drop the keel, damaging the trunk or worse.
 
kloudie1

kloudie1

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Nov 6, 2006
10,217
Hunter 34 Mandeville Louisiana
Are you sure the keel is still there? We had a problem on a Tartan 37 where the keel wouldn't go down.. wouldn't pull the pennant out.. We dove down and noticed no centerboard! Cable and pad eye hanging under the boat! Probably had been damaged in an ungrounding a year or so before and accumulated damage until it vacated the premises..
 
centerline

centerline

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Mar 20, 2012
3,983
Cal 34-III, MacGregor 25 Salem, Oregon
is it a centerboard or a weighted keel?... according to your last post, it sounds as if you havent had it down since launching.... if its a centerboard maybe its "air logged" and unable to sink.....
its highly unlikely to nearly impossible that anything could keep a weighted keel up in the trunk, although it has been known to happen when corrosion works and swells inside a fiberglass encased steel keel...
 
kito

kito

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Sep 13, 2012
2,011
1979 Hunter Cherubini 30 Clemmons
If you haven't had it out since the flood then there could be a large log that floated under your keel not allowing it to drop. Or possibly but not likely, it's the cable winch itself that is not working correctly. Maybe the cable is wedged on the spool not allowing to unreel. Before jumping in, I think I would just back it out of the slip and then try to drop it again. I sure wouldn't reel it down the whole way though. If it did break loose it would come down pretty hard. Maybe just a few turns. Hitting some boat wakes may help shake it loose. If that doesn't work then a wet suit and dive may be in order. Putting it back on the trailer may help to see if there is junk causing the problem...even though you can't drop it on the trailer.
 
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soldier1964

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Jul 8, 2012
144
Helms 25 indiana
went out to the boat and the water is toooo cold for this old man. goint to finish up some other work then pull it up on the trailer abit.
 
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Mike B1026

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Jun 17, 2007
402
MacGregor Mac26S Victoria Tx
centerline said:
is it a centerboard or a weighted keel?... according to your last post, it sounds as if you havent had it down since launching.... if its a centerboard maybe its "air logged" and unable to sink.....
its highly unlikely to nearly impossible that anything could keep a weighted keel up in the trunk, although it has been known to happen when corrosion works and swells inside a fiberglass encased steel keel...
Click to expand
"Total displacement is 3950 pounds while ballast is 1650 pounds, including the 300 pound centerboard. The centerboard is controlled via a cable and winch located just under the step inside the companionway. Draft with the centerboard up is a scant 20 inches while draft with the board down is a full 6 feet. Length overall is 24 feet 10.5 inches, while length at the waterline is 21 feet 6 inches. The beam is narrow at just 7 feet 11.5 inches."

http://www.sailfarlivefree.com/2009/11/now-that-ive-spent-season-sailing-our.html
 
Joe

Joe

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Jun 1, 2004
8,321
Catalina 27 Mission Bay, San Diego
Did you try rocking it side to side.... use the halyard, stand off the boat on the dock.

Or you could pull it into shallow water and have one or two friends tilt it while you try to get a look.
 
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Ray Bowles

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Oct 6, 2008
857
Hunter, Island Packet, Catalina, San Juan 26,38,22,23 Kettle Falls, Washington
Many centerboard boats have a hole in the top of the centerboard housing that allows a person to insert a small rod and push the CB down. Mine is under the table over the CB trunk. Look before rushing off to colder methods of lowering the CB.
Ray
 
JamesO256

JamesO256

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Apr 30, 2011
66
Hunter 22 Lk. Normon, NC
I have a hunter if I take the table off I can see the drop keel
I don't know how your boat is made, but you may be able to
Pusk it out from above.
 
jibes138

jibes138

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Jan 27, 2008
3,092
ODay 35 Beaufort, NC
Get a wet suit from a dive or sporting goods shop. I have used a wetsuit down to 37 degree water (that was freezing). Most dive shops also rent wetsuits for beginners who are taking dive lessons. You can rent one cheap and then not have it cluttering up your house. With a wetsuit, hood and mask only your chin and lips are exposed, if your water is say 55 degrees you will be comfortable.
 
shemandr

shemandr

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Jan 1, 2006
8,006
Slickcraft 26 Sailfish
At 60 degrees swimming season is started - without a wetsuit. 20 minutes in 60 water will make your joints feel like you are 18 years old again!
If you dive to discover the problem take care to not get hit by the board if it suddenly drops.
 
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