Beneteau swing keels?

Tim Good

Tim Good

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I have a swing keel on my Ben 26 (1986) and it is raised / lowered by threaded worm gear.

I heard rumours that if I happened to go aground at speed or hit a rock, the keel would automatically swing back / lift, possibly preventing serious damage.

Does anyone know if that is really the case as I'm struggling to figure out how it could with the worm type mechanism. Or maybe this is something on the newer boats and not my older 80s version?
 
Worm drive lifting keel

If the upper attachment of the worm drive were set up to break away upward then yes the keel could be as you hope. Is there any sign that this could happen? If not then you could easily bend the threaded rod drive. Sorry don't know the boat just a guess. olewill
 
I had a 1985 First 29, presumably similar.
The screw mechanism simply rises up through the table if the keel hits. No problem!
BTW some have the male screw at the top, later ones have the female part at the top, i.e. a tube with a nut on the end. If yours is the latter, pour a bit of oil down the tube every time to keep the screw lubricated.
 
Yes although the more recent boats have a stainless steel fitting over the worm drive to prevent it. Think it was a H&S thing in case it hit you or perhaps it affected its RCD category ( Minimal risk if you ask me) I unscrewed mine so it could kick up.
 
I have a 1985 First 24 and I believe it has the same mechanism, I can confirm that the whole thing lifts up when you run aground (just like it does if you try and wind it down when she is sitting on the keel). Also that periodic lubrication is a really good idea because the outside tube is quite thin walled and can collapse if it gets too stressed, cost over £500 to fix!
 
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