Just purchased '93H 23.5, water ballast, but unable to drop down swing keel. Do you think it's just STUCK or could it be broken? Sailed on beautiful lake two weeks ago, but, Y-i-i-i-i-k-e-s, don't like sailing without keel. Any advice would be GREAT! Thanks. Almost Overboard!
REAL KEEL DEAL
- Thread starter Lots-a-Knots
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No keel no feel
Please don't sail anymore without the keel down, however if you do you will be able to see why the keel is stuck since you will have a good view of the bottom of the hull when the boat capsizes.
Please don't sail anymore without the keel down, however if you do you will be able to see why the keel is stuck since you will have a good view of the bottom of the hull when the boat capsizes.
Natural Tendency is to be Down
I had a 21' trailer sailboat with a 500lb swing keel. The natural tendency is for the keel to drop down. Is your boat on a trailer? If so, the cable used to raise and lower the keel should be left slack while the boat is on the trailer (the keel should be resting on a support that is part of the trailer frame). In my opinion, it is one of two things: (1) the keel was removed and there isn't one anymore, or (2) the hinge pin is so badly corroded that the keel won't swing down. I don't think the keel is broken -- if the cable was broken the keel should come down on its own. I wonder if the keel was bent and is stuck in the keel well? If you slacken the cable and drive over a slightly bumpy road, maybe that will break it lose?
I had a 21' trailer sailboat with a 500lb swing keel. The natural tendency is for the keel to drop down. Is your boat on a trailer? If so, the cable used to raise and lower the keel should be left slack while the boat is on the trailer (the keel should be resting on a support that is part of the trailer frame). In my opinion, it is one of two things: (1) the keel was removed and there isn't one anymore, or (2) the hinge pin is so badly corroded that the keel won't swing down. I don't think the keel is broken -- if the cable was broken the keel should come down on its own. I wonder if the keel was bent and is stuck in the keel well? If you slacken the cable and drive over a slightly bumpy road, maybe that will break it lose?
No weight in this keel!
I would hate to see Lots a knots not sail because of bad info. The water ballast in his hunter is in the bilge, not in the keel which is light weight fibreglass and just prevents side slip when lowered. To Lots a knots, I own a water ballast h26 and love it. Sometimes the keel hangs up and won't lower. Marine growth is my problem. I am pulling her out in a week for a bottom job and will free things up then. Unfortunately you will have to get it in a boat lift to get it high enough to work on the keel. Good luck! Happy downwinds since you are not going to close haul well at all with the keel stuck up. Btw You are letting your ballast tank fill with water aren't you?!!!
I would hate to see Lots a knots not sail because of bad info. The water ballast in his hunter is in the bilge, not in the keel which is light weight fibreglass and just prevents side slip when lowered. To Lots a knots, I own a water ballast h26 and love it. Sometimes the keel hangs up and won't lower. Marine growth is my problem. I am pulling her out in a week for a bottom job and will free things up then. Unfortunately you will have to get it in a boat lift to get it high enough to work on the keel. Good luck! Happy downwinds since you are not going to close haul well at all with the keel stuck up. Btw You are letting your ballast tank fill with water aren't you?!!!
thanks, Barry
Thanks Barry - to answer your question, YES, we fill ballast and drain ballast loading in and out the lake. No problem there!
Thanks Barry - to answer your question, YES, we fill ballast and drain ballast loading in and out the lake. No problem there!
Hey Steve!
Thanks, Steve - Yes, right now, it's on the trailer, and the rope is slack, and the keel is resting on part of the trailer frame, like you said. HOPE IT'S No. (2) ! ! !
Thanks, Steve - Yes, right now, it's on the trailer, and the rope is slack, and the keel is resting on part of the trailer frame, like you said. HOPE IT'S No. (2) ! ! !
hinge pin
Hey Steve, that "hinge pin" you're talking about - is that a pin that has to be pulled before the keel drops down? Someone advised we MIGHT have to pull the pin first - then replace the pin after sailing at the end of the day. Thanks. I have NO CLUE!
Hey Steve, that "hinge pin" you're talking about - is that a pin that has to be pulled before the keel drops down? Someone advised we MIGHT have to pull the pin first - then replace the pin after sailing at the end of the day. Thanks. I have NO CLUE!
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