Ok, this is the second keel question this week. I just replaced all parts related to the winch & keel. I lifted the boat off the trailer, and the keel would only drop to the angle shown in the picture. Is this the correct angle? I scraped off lots of rust, and was wondering if the rust I couldn't reach up in the keel truck was causing it to hang. The keel lockdown bolt was also replaced, and was not tightened when I lifted boat. I would think 550#s of iron would be enough to drop the keel to its correct angle, even if there was rust. Any help or suggestions greatly appreciated.
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"Your Pulling My Leg."
"Howard--" If what your saying is true, looking at your picture tells me you haven't raised the boat high enough. "The keel is resting on the trailer keel board."
"Howard--" If what your saying is true, looking at your picture tells me you haven't raised the boat high enough. "The keel is resting on the trailer keel board."
Raise it up . . .
I'm with Bob on this one. When fully lowered the boat draws 5 feet. so that should give you a good idea of how far the keel goes down.
I'm with Bob on this one. When fully lowered the boat draws 5 feet. so that should give you a good idea of how far the keel goes down.
Pin stuck in hanger?
If indeed, that is how low your keel drops with the boat fully raised off the trailer, then I suspect the keel pin is hanging up in the keel pin hangers. The keel may be rotating around the pin, but apparently only to a point where possibly an elongated hole is checking the movement. Unless, the issue is as stated earlier, the keel is just hitting the keel support on the trailer, I am afraid you may need to remove the keel to check the hangers, pin, and hole through the keel for the keel pin. This can be a very problematic as you might possibly break one or more of the bolts that supports the keel. Repair of that can be very time consuming, altough it is done often.
If indeed, that is how low your keel drops with the boat fully raised off the trailer, then I suspect the keel pin is hanging up in the keel pin hangers. The keel may be rotating around the pin, but apparently only to a point where possibly an elongated hole is checking the movement. Unless, the issue is as stated earlier, the keel is just hitting the keel support on the trailer, I am afraid you may need to remove the keel to check the hangers, pin, and hole through the keel for the keel pin. This can be a very problematic as you might possibly break one or more of the bolts that supports the keel. Repair of that can be very time consuming, altough it is done often.
You are getting good feedback
Howard: You are getting good feedback so far. I agree with the other replies. I don't believe that your keel is the whole way down as shown in your photo. (I hope you don't mind, but I attached a copy of your photo to my message after I lightened it. I had to lighten it to view it on my computer. I thought that this may help you get additional replies to your question). Anyhow, as Ted said, your keel should be about 5 feet below the waterline when it is fully dropped. Also, the bottom of it should be approximately parallel to the waterline when it is fully down, which yours certainly isn't as shown in the photo. I agree that your keel may be sitting on the board on the trailer, but I assume that you just did that to keep it from swinging while you were taking the photos. I do want to tell you that I have to unscrew my keel locking pin more in one position than in the other position. What I mean, is that it is a different number of turns to unlock the keel in the "keel up" position than in the "keel down" position. I recommend that you loosen the keel locking bolt almost until it falls out, or even take it out completely, and then try to lower the keel again. It is possible that you didn't have it loose enough, then when you lowered the keel it caught on the bolt. I hope this helps, Aldo
Howard: You are getting good feedback so far. I agree with the other replies. I don't believe that your keel is the whole way down as shown in your photo. (I hope you don't mind, but I attached a copy of your photo to my message after I lightened it. I had to lighten it to view it on my computer. I thought that this may help you get additional replies to your question). Anyhow, as Ted said, your keel should be about 5 feet below the waterline when it is fully dropped. Also, the bottom of it should be approximately parallel to the waterline when it is fully down, which yours certainly isn't as shown in the photo. I agree that your keel may be sitting on the board on the trailer, but I assume that you just did that to keep it from swinging while you were taking the photos. I do want to tell you that I have to unscrew my keel locking pin more in one position than in the other position. What I mean, is that it is a different number of turns to unlock the keel in the "keel up" position than in the "keel down" position. I recommend that you loosen the keel locking bolt almost until it falls out, or even take it out completely, and then try to lower the keel again. It is possible that you didn't have it loose enough, then when you lowered the keel it caught on the bolt. I hope this helps, Aldo
Replies/More info
Thanks for your replies. Just to clear up a few things. The keel locking pin was almost all the way out. No pressure at all on the keel. Second, The keel was not actually resting on the trailer. It was slightly above. I tried to push the keel down all the way when the boat was hanging free, and with all my weight I couldn't. Also, this is an early boat, and has the early keel attachment, which I believe is just a bolt. It looks fairly new. I can't see anything which would hang the keel up, so I really am puzzled.
Thanks for your replies. Just to clear up a few things. The keel locking pin was almost all the way out. No pressure at all on the keel. Second, The keel was not actually resting on the trailer. It was slightly above. I tried to push the keel down all the way when the boat was hanging free, and with all my weight I couldn't. Also, this is an early boat, and has the early keel attachment, which I believe is just a bolt. It looks fairly new. I can't see anything which would hang the keel up, so I really am puzzled.
Lower the Keel and look
Howard, Having refinished the Keel on my C22, I would recommend blocking up the boat and lowering the keel into a sled that keeps it upright. You can fully inspect the pin, hangers, lockdown bolt and trunk this way. Not too difficult either. No special equipment required. CD has the video and sled plans. Strange problem, to be sure. Good luck!
Howard, Having refinished the Keel on my C22, I would recommend blocking up the boat and lowering the keel into a sled that keeps it upright. You can fully inspect the pin, hangers, lockdown bolt and trunk this way. Not too difficult either. No special equipment required. CD has the video and sled plans. Strange problem, to be sure. Good luck!
It should definitely hang lower than whats showing
in the picture.. Did you try lookin at the winch cable inside and make sure the the wire around the winch isnt being hung up on itself. Two ways of lookin at the winch is to slide urself under the cockpit seats kinda sideways and check it with a flashlight. Or you can undo the screws in the board the covers the winch and look at it that way, a little easier to really check things out.
in the picture.. Did you try lookin at the winch cable inside and make sure the the wire around the winch isnt being hung up on itself. Two ways of lookin at the winch is to slide urself under the cockpit seats kinda sideways and check it with a flashlight. Or you can undo the screws in the board the covers the winch and look at it that way, a little easier to really check things out.
Catalina
Howard: As you pointed out, your boat is an early one. I doubt that there are too many of us who follow this forum who have ever seen the keel pin arrangement that you mentioned that you have on your boat. Have you considered calling Catalina? They may be able to help you. I have a friend who had a question recently about her C-22, and they were helpful to her, infact they knew her boat. The only other thing I can think of is, could the bolt that is the pivot for your keel be too tight, and pinching the vertical walls to the trunk of the keel together, and not allowing the keel to fully desend? What keeps water from coming into your boat around the bolt? Aldo
Howard: As you pointed out, your boat is an early one. I doubt that there are too many of us who follow this forum who have ever seen the keel pin arrangement that you mentioned that you have on your boat. Have you considered calling Catalina? They may be able to help you. I have a friend who had a question recently about her C-22, and they were helpful to her, infact they knew her boat. The only other thing I can think of is, could the bolt that is the pivot for your keel be too tight, and pinching the vertical walls to the trunk of the keel together, and not allowing the keel to fully desend? What keeps water from coming into your boat around the bolt? Aldo
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