My centerboard is hanging up when I crank it down. I will be half an hour under sail, and suddenly hear and feel a big thump as it drops all the way into place. Is this a common hang up? Is there a fix? So far I am not taking on water. I have figured out how to use a boat pole to push it on down from the dock while my crew slowley lets out cable, so I won't risk breaking the bottom of the boat again. Thank you in advance, Bruce
- Status
Swing Keel
Bruce, I had a similar problem on my Catalina 22 (#10583). Mine happened as I was lowering the keel. About 75% of the way down my keel would make a big thump noise as I lowered it (like it was dropping). The cause of my thump was wear on the keel pivot pin shaft and keel. The hole that the keel pivot pin went through wore in a triangular shape. The shaft was also wore badly. This would catch until the keel reached a certain point and thump. I took my keel to a machine shop and had a brass bushing installed and purchased a new shaft from catalina. This is not to say this is your problem but is something to check. My boat was moored in a wet slip in brackish water with the keel in the up position before I bought it. I am assuming the constant rocking wore my keel and pin. A second problem since it is taking so long to thump is that your keel my be sliding sideways. I would suggest a keel centering kit for that. Good luck
Bruce, I had a similar problem on my Catalina 22 (#10583). Mine happened as I was lowering the keel. About 75% of the way down my keel would make a big thump noise as I lowered it (like it was dropping). The cause of my thump was wear on the keel pivot pin shaft and keel. The hole that the keel pivot pin went through wore in a triangular shape. The shaft was also wore badly. This would catch until the keel reached a certain point and thump. I took my keel to a machine shop and had a brass bushing installed and purchased a new shaft from catalina. This is not to say this is your problem but is something to check. My boat was moored in a wet slip in brackish water with the keel in the up position before I bought it. I am assuming the constant rocking wore my keel and pin. A second problem since it is taking so long to thump is that your keel my be sliding sideways. I would suggest a keel centering kit for that. Good luck
Have You Checked Your Locking Pin ?
Bruce, When lowering your keel, are you making sure the lock down pin under the forward port settee is realeased ? If it isn't backed out enough, it could be that it's hanging up the keel until the boat gets a bit of a bump from a wave or sudden movement of the boat. It's hard to see unless you use a mirror, but if you stick your hand under the sette and move it towards the keel trunk, you'll find it. As to how many turns you'll need to back it out will depend on your keel and how much wear it has in the pin. Usually, three or four turns should be sufficient. I'd try that before you undertake any major work on the keel itself. Ed P. "See Da Moon" S/N 13106
Bruce, When lowering your keel, are you making sure the lock down pin under the forward port settee is realeased ? If it isn't backed out enough, it could be that it's hanging up the keel until the boat gets a bit of a bump from a wave or sudden movement of the boat. It's hard to see unless you use a mirror, but if you stick your hand under the sette and move it towards the keel trunk, you'll find it. As to how many turns you'll need to back it out will depend on your keel and how much wear it has in the pin. Usually, three or four turns should be sufficient. I'd try that before you undertake any major work on the keel itself. Ed P. "See Da Moon" S/N 13106
Bingo Ed
Thanks Ed and Frank for your help. I think it was my lock down bolt. I am new to the boat, and wasn't aware of the lock. It was not all the way in or out. I tightened it up, and now just need to remember it before I crank up the keel next time.
Thanks Ed and Frank for your help. I think it was my lock down bolt. I am new to the boat, and wasn't aware of the lock. It was not all the way in or out. I tightened it up, and now just need to remember it before I crank up the keel next time.
Time for maintenance . . .
Your keel pivot mechanism needs some attention. It should drop freely and not hang-up at any point. Regards, Ted
Your keel pivot mechanism needs some attention. It should drop freely and not hang-up at any point. Regards, Ted
- Status