Checking Pivot Bolt on Swing Keel

[GART]

I have Dockrell 22 with 1,000 lb swing keel pivoting on a Stainless Steel bolt. The boat is on its trailer with the weight of the keel supported on the trailer. I would like to check the condition of the pivot bolt. The bolt is goes through the case through the keel then through the case again and secured with a nut. There are leather washers to seal any water coming in through the bolthole. I have removed the nut and the bolt but does not turn or come out I assume the weight of the boat is partly on the bolt. The Vee shape at the bottom of the hull means I cannot get a hammer in to persuade it, also I am not sure the bolt would come out without it hitting the hull. But it must have gone in when they built the boat.
Any advice would be appreciated

 

[snowleopard]

while the keel may be resting on the trailer there must still be a lot of weight on the pivot. the only way you will pull the pin and still be able to get it back in again is to support the keel fully which is a b***** of a job. i had enough problem doing that job with a keel weighing 100lbs. i did it by jacking up the whole boat so i could get at the keel from underneath.

 

[William_H]

Just a few thoughts which may or may not help. Presumably the keel is supported by a roller or similar on the trailer probably near the aft end.(when retracted) ie leading edge toward the bottom when dropped down. I would suggest that you need to put a jack on ground with a suitable piece of wood on top to fit up into the slot to take the weight at the end near the pivot (front end) If you push the bolt out it may be worthwhile pushing it out with a similar sized bolt which will go through in place of the real bolt. Then replace the original (or replacement) by using it to push out the tempory one. You might also find it worth while to grind a taper onto both the tempory and permanent bolts to aid in getting the bolt through. I would imagine there is a real danger of the keel moving up or down ( try jacking or blocking the trailer so the boat doesn't move relative to the jack on the ground or jack not from the ground but from the trailer). Also the keel could tilt top (leading edge) to the left or right depending on the amount of room in the case. Make sure you keep those holes aligned. I imagine the keel was fitted with the hull up in a sling with the keel vertical (sailing position) with some support and someone twisting/ moving the keel to align the bolt holes and I guess if all goes to worms you may have to do the same. good luck will

 

[surekandoo]

There should be a thread here:

http://uk.msnusers.com/Limboyachts