Hi there everyone. I have a Spirit 6.5 ... it's a 21' sailboat with a swing keel. This last weekend the cable that raises and lowers the keel snapped off. I've called everywhere in town and nobody here works on sailboats. So I guess it's up to me to fix. Does anyone have any information on how I'd go about doing this? I've included a picture. Thanks in advance!
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Picture didn't work
Here is a link to Flickr. It has 2 pictures on it, I can post more if needed.
Here is a link to Flickr. It has 2 pictures on it, I can post more if needed.
Wrap the wheel
Cut a length identical to the broken cable and wrap it around the wheel however many times it takes to keep it up. Be very very careful with the cable connection to make sure it's good at both ends. Hope you weren't injured when it snapped.
Cut a length identical to the broken cable and wrap it around the wheel however many times it takes to keep it up. Be very very careful with the cable connection to make sure it's good at both ends. Hope you weren't injured when it snapped.
I'm not really sure with your particular boat
But most swing keels that I have dealt with have a winch and a cable that wraps around the winch and goes thru a hole in a trunk, then attaches to the keel. The keel is very heavy, so try not to move it around. I can and does bite. I would hacksaw the the bolt/cable going thru the keel and unwrap the existing cable off the winch and bring them to you local Ace hardware store. They will have the parts needed to reassemble the cable. Have them cut the cable to length for you. Then attach the cable to the keel and thread the other end of the cable through the hole and attach it to the winch. Winch her (the keel) up and you are good to go. It shouldn't take more than a hour to do once you have the parts lined up. Good luck and. Keep it up, Ctskip
But most swing keels that I have dealt with have a winch and a cable that wraps around the winch and goes thru a hole in a trunk, then attaches to the keel. The keel is very heavy, so try not to move it around. I can and does bite. I would hacksaw the the bolt/cable going thru the keel and unwrap the existing cable off the winch and bring them to you local Ace hardware store. They will have the parts needed to reassemble the cable. Have them cut the cable to length for you. Then attach the cable to the keel and thread the other end of the cable through the hole and attach it to the winch. Winch her (the keel) up and you are good to go. It shouldn't take more than a hour to do once you have the parts lined up. Good luck and. Keep it up, Ctskip
How to access the wheel and where to buy cable?
Thanks for the quick reply. How do I access the wheel and where can I buy cable like that?
Thanks for the quick reply. How do I access the wheel and where can I buy cable like that?
Where are you located?
Topfrog~ Where are you located in the USA? West Marine is going to have cable that will work. Give us some help here.
Topfrog~ Where are you located in the USA? West Marine is going to have cable that will work. Give us some help here.
Your boat is about the same size as mine
mine uses 12' of 3/16dia 7x19 stainless cable with a ss thimble and nicopress crimp connectors at the keel end, attaches to a bolt that goes through the keel,the important thing is to get 7x19, its flexible enough to put on the winch cable. you can have it made by WM or a rigger and have it sent to you if there is no one local, the stuff at the hardware store will be galvanized and the crimps they have are probably aluminum, not quite what you need, but you are probably in fresh water so ymmv. Tim
mine uses 12' of 3/16dia 7x19 stainless cable with a ss thimble and nicopress crimp connectors at the keel end, attaches to a bolt that goes through the keel,the important thing is to get 7x19, its flexible enough to put on the winch cable. you can have it made by WM or a rigger and have it sent to you if there is no one local, the stuff at the hardware store will be galvanized and the crimps they have are probably aluminum, not quite what you need, but you are probably in fresh water so ymmv. Tim
Stainless steel cable and fittings are usually available
at Lowe's and probably Home Depot, if you don't have a West Marine available. SS costs more, but will last longer. Whatever mechanism you have to raise the swing keel, remove all of the old cable so you can get the right length replacement. -Paul
at Lowe's and probably Home Depot, if you don't have a West Marine available. SS costs more, but will last longer. Whatever mechanism you have to raise the swing keel, remove all of the old cable so you can get the right length replacement. -Paul
Help
You will find cable to do the job in various locations, Tractor Supply, Grainger, Fleet Farm, West Marine, Defender. There is a Tractor Supply in Clovis, NM. Without seeing the whole cable, I would try to get it made out of stainless steel and swaged fittings. Give me a call and I might be able to make it up for you. IM off of my profile and I'll give my # out
You will find cable to do the job in various locations, Tractor Supply, Grainger, Fleet Farm, West Marine, Defender. There is a Tractor Supply in Clovis, NM. Without seeing the whole cable, I would try to get it made out of stainless steel and swaged fittings. Give me a call and I might be able to make it up for you. IM off of my profile and I'll give my # out
If you need a temporary fix
If you need a temporary fix, to get the boat somewhere it can be fixed right, just run down to your local hardware, and get you a cable clamp. Slip the two broken ends together, overlapping of course, and put the clamp on it. Tighten up and your good to go. This won't go through a smallish hole, and won't work very well on a winch, but it can get you to a repair facility, or home.
If you need a temporary fix, to get the boat somewhere it can be fixed right, just run down to your local hardware, and get you a cable clamp. Slip the two broken ends together, overlapping of course, and put the clamp on it. Tighten up and your good to go. This won't go through a smallish hole, and won't work very well on a winch, but it can get you to a repair facility, or home.
Try a cable for a C22
It might fit. Call Catalina Direct and talk to them. If it works but is too short, Catalina Factory will make you one longer to whatever length you need. http://www.catalinadirect.com/
It might fit. Call Catalina Direct and talk to them. If it works but is too short, Catalina Factory will make you one longer to whatever length you need. http://www.catalinadirect.com/
Now that I'm home
I was able to look at your picture, you may need to reuse the fitting on the keel, can you get a better pic? does it have a stopper swaged to the cable under the fork or is the fork itself swaged to the cable? can you get it off w/o damage? Tim
I was able to look at your picture, you may need to reuse the fitting on the keel, can you get a better pic? does it have a stopper swaged to the cable under the fork or is the fork itself swaged to the cable? can you get it off w/o damage? Tim
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