swing keel lift cable

[John]

I just bought a 1974 Cat 22. When I got her home and started to clean and make minor repairs I noticed the cable for the keel is not wound on the winch very neatly or tightly. Should I just leave it this way and when I put her in the water will tension tighten it, keel won't just fall down will it? ? Or should I attempt to unwind what's on the spool and crank it back onh neatly ? Also when I turn crank clockwise it makes a rachet sound, counter clockwise no sound, is this normal?Thanks, this boat will be a learning experience for me.

 

[Tim]

cable

John, As long as the cable is not frayed or broken, it is normal. When you launch it and drop the keel it will tighten up and wind back on the spool correctly. Sounds like the previous owner wound the cable up without any tension (weight) on it. The keel crank does ratchet when cranking the keel up. It has a clutch mechanism that works when you let the keel down, so you don't get that ratcheting sound. You have already overcome most C-22 owners biggest dilemma. You found out how to work the clutch and let the keel down. Good Job! Launch the boat and go have some fun.Tim

 

[John]

thanks

Thanks Tim, I'll see tomarro!

 

[John renfro]

cable

hello John, crank the slack out of the cable before you get it off the trailer to keep the keel up during launch. It will deploy as you slip it off the trailer with no problem, but it may contact the ground and could make for some nuisance getting it shifted around at the dock.Have a lot of fun.john