Swing Keel Line Problem

[Frank Hartman]

I have a 1997 Hunter 26 with the swing keel. The keel line sheave at the top, runs on a 1/12"x1/2" stainless steel pin that fits in grooves built in the cabin top by the mast post top plate, has worn out. It appears that it rubs on the cabin top. The sheave diameter appears to be to large for the amount of room available. Has anyone run into this problem and come up with any solutions?Thanks,Frankfmhartman@comcast.net

 

[Richard Graef]

Keel Line Fix

Hi Frank, Check the Archives on H26 Keel lines. This is a fairly common problem in the design. I seem to remember reading that several of the pins and sheaves have been shot with great force overboard. I have a 1997 H26 also and had to replace the keel line in '02 as it was wearing thin. Less than 3 months of sailing time later it was cut through to the core of the line again. I then had our local boat shop replace the line again. They also trimmed off of the bottom of one of the bolts that holds down the plate at the base of the mast as this was actually contacting the keel line. I thought the problem was solved. It wasn't. I finally took care of the problem by removing all of the 5200 that the boat yard had set the pin in and found that the pin had ground its way at least 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch into the notch it was supposed to rest upon. This was allowing the line to scrape on the very sharp edge of the compression post. First I filed down the sharp edge of the compression post to slow the cutting action if it happens again. Then I built The shoulder area up with fiberglass (mixed with fibers) and several layers of cloth and reset the pin (covered in vaseline to avoid bonding to the glass) in place. So far so good. There is obviously more stress under the pin than Hunter expected. I did not take off the plate (at the mast Base) that covers this area as it was mid season and I didn't want to drop the mast, and figured I could do the job even with limited working room. Rick GraefS/V Sandpiper

 

[Harvey Small]

Photos?

Do you have some photos you could post? Sounds like a great fix, and illustrations would help.Thanks!

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Take a picture and email it to Godfather

It sounds like the line is scraping at the top of the tube which Richard found. If you can take some close ups and email them to me and advise exactly where the line is cutting or wearing out, I will try to help you. Again guys, tell him my email but not on the forum.I appreciate all of you who have respected me not telling where I am or who I am.

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Frank

Is your boat on base? Where do you keep it. I have to go to Dalghren Marine Works next month to return a Catalina 250 wing keel. I will be glad to look at it if it is in the area. Do you know David Shuttleworth?

 

[Richard Graef]

no photos for now

I could send some photos later this spring. The way I have the boat covered I can't redily get to the mast base. I am not sure they would show much as the repair looks much the way I imagine the sheave looked when new. Unfortunately I did not take any pics before or during the repair.Richard GraefS/V Sandpiper