removing a swing keel

[steven f.]

I'm getting our 23' S2 hauled in a few weeks for a new bottom and am considering removing the keel (okay, having it removed). My question is about the pin that the keel swings on. Does that need periodic replacement and if so how much of a pain in the arse is it to do this? I've only dealt with larger boats in my life, this is a down size for us. We bought her in a very poor state of condition and this is her first haulout since that time. I believe in the "might as well" theory. That theory being I "might as well" fix/replace something while she is out of the water. I've heard others say just do it yourself, not a good option as I have no trailer, she lives full time in the water in my back yard.

 

[Bob]

Keel Pin

I don't know how your S2 is set up, but on my Ericson 23 the pin removes from outside the boat. When I dropped my centerboard a couple of years ago I had to pull the pin to do it and was able to check it out. It was bent and a little corroded, and I just bought some 1/2" 316 stainless rod, sawed it off at the correct angle, and had a small flange welded to it just like the original. Not too hard to do, but finding the guy to weld small guage stainless was what took the most time trouble. Since someone else is pulling your boat, I suspect your major issue will be time, and you are best off if you have all the materials ready to go when you pull it, so that a duplicate can be made as soon as possible. You need to know how it comes out, what is its diameter, and does it have any fittings on either end. Some pins insert from inside the boat and are held in by set screws.

 

[steven f.]

not on the inside

Thanks Bob, I've torn the inside of this boat apart front to back during my re-building/fitting of it. All that is left is the underwater parts. Hurricane Charley and Frances delayed this but now is the time. I can't find any type of inside pin/mechanism at all so I'll guess all is under the water. This boat has a unique keel, it is basicially a shoal draft keel with a swing keel that drops out from that. There is no trunk inside that boat as on the Catalina 22's and Precision 23's. On the inside there is no sign of a keel that pulls up, just the wench and cable and a tiny tube that the cable runs through. I've been under her numerous times but very hard to see up in the trunk in the dark waters of our area (visibility in the summer runs about 2' at best, winter it's just too dam cold to be in the water). Oh well, such is the life of a boat owner. I'll get some pics when she is out and post them for the other three S2 7.0 owners out there with a swing keel.

 

[Bob]

Pin Location

My boat is set up about like yours, with a shoal keel and no trunk in the cabin. You can see some of the outline of the trunk when you look down in the bilge. The photo attached is unfortunately from the "wrong" side - you can't see the flange on the end of the pin that fits flush against the hull, but you can see the dark spot, which is the end of the pin that is flush with the shoal keel. On my boat, two small screws hold the flange to the hull. If you want more pics or info email me at oleboe at aol dot com.

 

[steven f.]

same keel

Yeah, your keel is very similar to mine. I see the dark spot, that at least gives me an idea of what to look for. From there I'll just mutter through as I always manage to do.