I'm sure this is in the archives (couldn't find it), but what are the pros and cons of locking a swing keel? The person I purchased my boat from never locked it down. I've heard different reasons to and not to. What are your thoughts?
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swing
page 3-20 of the "catalina direct owner's handbook" sugests that it sould be locked down when you have a stong wind. the "1977 catalina 22 owners manual" reads " the lock down bolt opperates on a friction principle designed to prevent the keel from becoming damaged in the event of a collision with under water obstructions". john
page 3-20 of the "catalina direct owner's handbook" sugests that it sould be locked down when you have a stong wind. the "1977 catalina 22 owners manual" reads " the lock down bolt opperates on a friction principle designed to prevent the keel from becoming damaged in the event of a collision with under water obstructions". john
Locking swing keel
I look at this just like I look at seatbelts and life jackets. If I knew exactly when I was going to need them I could put them on just in time. Can't imagine I would want to leave the helm to lock the keel just as the wind is picking up. Lock it down and use charts and a depth sounder. By the way, I put my keel winch handle under the seat where the lock is so I can't forget to unlock it before raising the keel.
I look at this just like I look at seatbelts and life jackets. If I knew exactly when I was going to need them I could put them on just in time. Can't imagine I would want to leave the helm to lock the keel just as the wind is picking up. Lock it down and use charts and a depth sounder. By the way, I put my keel winch handle under the seat where the lock is so I can't forget to unlock it before raising the keel.
Thanks guys!
John- thanks for the reference in the handbook (yes, I do have it). I've usually just had the boat out in light winds and had no problem not locking down the keel (and since our lake level was way down at the end of the summer - was mostly worried about running aground!) Thank God the lake level's rising now! Heavy winds are predicted this Sunday, so I WILL lock the keel down for it. (I plan on being on the lake all weekend - yeah ! actually predict a whole weekend off work!) Don- thanks, too, for your response reinforcing the fact to lock down the keel in heavy winds. And I love the suggestion of leaving the keel winch handle under the dinette seat! I'm going to use that technique - because I know I'll need that to remind me to unlock the keel before winding her up & loading the boat back on the trailer! [For a laugh- on my first "solo" attempt at launching the boat, the lake was so low that everyone had one two-lane ramp to use - and I'd never trailered a boat down a ramp by myself before - and was so nervous that when I (actually quite well) positioned the boat in the water and tried to push her off the trailer - realized I'd never put the keel up! So.. in November cold (for Phoenix) water I trekked out to the trailer ladder (just fore of the cockpit), climbed up, wetter than planned on for the day, climbed up, and cranked up the keel, then launched her "solo". Mostly powerboaters were waiting at the ramp at the time, so I don't think anyone realized my "faux paux" (no-one was laughing!), but I'm sure they were glad when I got out of their way!]
John- thanks for the reference in the handbook (yes, I do have it). I've usually just had the boat out in light winds and had no problem not locking down the keel (and since our lake level was way down at the end of the summer - was mostly worried about running aground!) Thank God the lake level's rising now! Heavy winds are predicted this Sunday, so I WILL lock the keel down for it. (I plan on being on the lake all weekend - yeah ! actually predict a whole weekend off work!) Don- thanks, too, for your response reinforcing the fact to lock down the keel in heavy winds. And I love the suggestion of leaving the keel winch handle under the dinette seat! I'm going to use that technique - because I know I'll need that to remind me to unlock the keel before winding her up & loading the boat back on the trailer! [For a laugh- on my first "solo" attempt at launching the boat, the lake was so low that everyone had one two-lane ramp to use - and I'd never trailered a boat down a ramp by myself before - and was so nervous that when I (actually quite well) positioned the boat in the water and tried to push her off the trailer - realized I'd never put the keel up! So.. in November cold (for Phoenix) water I trekked out to the trailer ladder (just fore of the cockpit), climbed up, wetter than planned on for the day, climbed up, and cranked up the keel, then launched her "solo". Mostly powerboaters were waiting at the ramp at the time, so I don't think anyone realized my "faux paux" (no-one was laughing!), but I'm sure they were glad when I got out of their way!]
PS:
Forgot to mention, as an afterthought to the boat launching faux paux story- Sailors are SOOOO helpful to other sailors... Powerboaters seem to want to hit the lake and go.. As a sometimes single-handed woman "sailor", I am totally appreciative of how many women at the ramp, when they see I'm "single-handeding" (is that a word?) alone with my 7 yr. old son, offer for me to "borrow" their husbands/boyfriends if I need help launching and retrieving my boat. I have learned enough the past month + to not say "no". Sure, I can do it myself, but it's a lot quicker with some assistance (and makes for better/quicker "ramp etiquete"!)
Forgot to mention, as an afterthought to the boat launching faux paux story- Sailors are SOOOO helpful to other sailors... Powerboaters seem to want to hit the lake and go.. As a sometimes single-handed woman "sailor", I am totally appreciative of how many women at the ramp, when they see I'm "single-handeding" (is that a word?) alone with my 7 yr. old son, offer for me to "borrow" their husbands/boyfriends if I need help launching and retrieving my boat. I have learned enough the past month + to not say "no". Sure, I can do it myself, but it's a lot quicker with some assistance (and makes for better/quicker "ramp etiquete"!)
Solo Launch
Lisa, I guess that will be something to learn once I get a sailboat. I have taken Catalinas from moorings, and launched Hobiecats off the beach, but never launched anything but a powerboat off the ramp.
Lisa, I guess that will be something to learn once I get a sailboat. I have taken Catalinas from moorings, and launched Hobiecats off the beach, but never launched anything but a powerboat off the ramp.
I lock mine
Hi Lisa, I lock mine down for a number of reasons but first and foremost is safety of operation. Meaning more control. Being that it operates on a friction principle in the 2000 Mark II as well as the older boats. The stability of the boat in a totaly extended and locked down position under full sail is a matter of safety, especially here in California on the inland lakes, as you never know when you will get a gust of wind that might try to knock you down. With it extended and locked you stand less chance of that happening then to allow it to swing, in a free swinging mode. Should it just so happen to be swinging up toward the bottom of the boat and you get a knockdown gust, guess what's going to happen??? You got it ! over you go !!! So unless I am going to beach my boat the only time I remove the lock is when I am preparing to remove the boat and put it on my trailer. Hope this helps, Happy Sailing Dave
Hi Lisa, I lock mine down for a number of reasons but first and foremost is safety of operation. Meaning more control. Being that it operates on a friction principle in the 2000 Mark II as well as the older boats. The stability of the boat in a totaly extended and locked down position under full sail is a matter of safety, especially here in California on the inland lakes, as you never know when you will get a gust of wind that might try to knock you down. With it extended and locked you stand less chance of that happening then to allow it to swing, in a free swinging mode. Should it just so happen to be swinging up toward the bottom of the boat and you get a knockdown gust, guess what's going to happen??? You got it ! over you go !!! So unless I am going to beach my boat the only time I remove the lock is when I am preparing to remove the boat and put it on my trailer. Hope this helps, Happy Sailing Dave
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