Beneteau Oceanis 35 lifting keel

[Cdicko]

Hi I have a oceanis 35 2015, the lifting keel is knocking as its wind up and down. (please no arguments about whether this is a lifting, swinging or drop keel boat, it just gets boring and we've heard it all before). We maintained it a few months ago after realising it was off centre and had an impact on rudder angle. We changed the bronze nut, anodes and nylon side pad screws. we wound the nylon side nuts in fully and backed off half a turn. was ok to start now its knocking again. Any thoughts would be a help?????

 

[greeny]

Hi I have a oceanis 35 2015, the lifting keel is knocking as its wind up and down. (please no arguments about whether this is a lifting, swinging or drop keel boat, it just gets boring and we've heard it all before). We maintained it a few months ago after realising it was off centre and had an impact on rudder angle. We changed the bronze nut, anodes and nylon side pad screws. we wound the nylon side nuts in fully and backed off half a turn. was ok to start now its knocking again. Any thoughts would be a help?????

I used to have a 323 with lift keel for 12 yrs so have some experience if your keel is the same or similar configuration. You don't mention changing the main pivot pin so I assume you didn't do that - I wouldn't imagine it needed doing after only 7 years but you never know. Did you check whether the keel was not knocking prior to re launching after the maintenance you carried out because maybe the new side pads you fitted were not adjusted snug enough to the keel blade. On mine their were 4 pads to change and adjust, two up near the pivot and 2 further back to centralise the blade when in full up position.

 

[Cdicko]

Hi thanks so much for the reply. Before the lift out the keel was knocking. Whilst lifted out your correct we didn't check the pivot pin which in hindsight now was a mistake. Im sure its very similar to previous 323. On the oceanis 35 there is 3 pads (either side) near the pivot and one (again either side making 8 in total) further back. we fitted new pads and back them off half a turn which again may have been a mistake. before and after launch there was no knocking, however it was noticeable slightly heavier (tighter) to lift or wind back up. I sailed about 150 miles lifting the keel maybe 6 times and now realised its knocking again. (presume this is the keel banging on the main keel housing agin!)

what I also experienced before the lift out and maint was an impact on rudder angle, I believe that on occasion, not all the time, when the keel was down it was off centre and effecting the steering.

Im thinking another lift out, check the pin and replace. Do you suggest winding the pads in until they touch and not backing off at all?

Chris

 

[greeny]

Hi thanks so much for the reply. Before the lift out the keel was knocking. Whilst lifted out your correct we didn't check the pivot pin which in hindsight now was a mistake. Im sure its very similar to previous 323. On the oceanis 35 there is 3 pads (either side) near the pivot and one (again either side making 8 in total) further back. we fitted new pads and back them off half a turn which again may have been a mistake. before and after launch there was no knocking, however it was noticeable slightly heavier (tighter) to lift or wind back up. I sailed about 150 miles lifting the keel maybe 6 times and now realised its knocking again. (presume this is the keel banging on the main keel housing agin!)

what I also experienced before the lift out and maint was an impact on rudder angle, I believe that on occasion, not all the time, when the keel was down it was off centre and effecting the steering.

Im thinking another lift out, check the pin and replace. Do you suggest winding the pads in until they touch and not backing off at all?

Chris

Yes, with regard to the pads adjustment. But not too far in that you jam the rudder when in the "up"" position. That should reduce the side movement and stop the rudder knocking.
The pin should not have too much play after only 7 yrs. Hopefully. Replacing the pin is a much bigger job and one I never had to do although I was always aware that one day it may need it.
After 13 yrs of regular sailing I only had to adjust the rear pads once. That was to slacken them a bit because they were scraping my coppercoat off the keel. Even after slackening a 1/4 turn the keel did not knock. If you can put up with the knocking then why not sail until next years lift and then do the checks.
With regard to the keel affecting the rudder angle, mine was a twin rudder boat and I never experienced any problems like that but I'm thinking that surely the keel would have to be more off centre than the pads allow to have any effect on rudder.
Did the rudder problem disappear after you changed the pads and has it come back now the keel is knocking again?

 

[Cdicko]

Thanks again. One last question, how did you determine the condition of the pin without removing it? just by the play on the rudder / keel?