Swing Keel

[Vicki Gregg]

We recently purchased a '78 ODAY 25 with a swing keel. The swing keel had been working properly until we ran a ground. Seems like the swing keel is in some sort of locked position as for trailering. Does anyone know how to unlock the keel or another reason that the swing keel will not go down?

 

[TeePee 22544]

Swinging Keel don't swing no more ...

'cause you might have picked up some mud, gravel or other debris that is logded between the centerboard and your stub keel. You might have to get a long flat piece of metal 1 in. by 1/8 and slide it between the centerboard and the the inside of of the stub keel to get rid of the debris. Can you work your centerboard lanyard/pennant?If your centerboard is stuck full up, tie the centerboard lanyard, so that it will only swing down about a foot. Otherwise, if it swings freely all the way down, you might crack your stub keel in the fore end.

 

[Herb Parsons]

Stuck Centerboard

Not to put too fine a point on it, but the O'Day 25 doesn't have a swing keel, it's a centerboard. A true swing keel has a weighted keel that swings up, usually with the help of a winch (they are heavy). Your centerboard is board (likely fiberglass) that swings into a lead trunk that is weighted.That said, just about every time I bump my O'Day 25 in the mud, I have to get in the water and pry the mud out of the space between the centerboard and the trunk. I use a machete (much like the thin piece of metal described obove) that I bought for $3 or $4 from the Army/Navy store. It's worked every time for me.

 

[Peter]

c/b downhaul

The c/b (up)haul ends in a wire thimble that is shackled to the board. Attach a piece of (thin) line there that can go up into the trunk when the c/b is hauled up. The free end of the line goes up the side of the hull and into the cockpit, where it can be cleated. (I used to cleat it; now I clove hitch it to a stanchion.) Use it a a c/b downhaul when the c/b is stuck in the up position because of mud, board-swelling, or whatever. To let the board down you have to pay out some of the downhaul, and vice versa when hauling the board up. Don't let the downhaul get loose enough to foul your prop (outboard on my O'Day 25). This way you no longer have to make trips under the boat. The added drag is minimal.