clinker built kestrel 22

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Des22

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30 Jun 2008
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Hi,I am new to the site ,Hello everyone.I bought a clinkerbuilt kestrel 22 7 months ago,due to work I have been unable to get down except to visit and pump her out occaisionally.Recently I tried to see if her lifting keel would drop and found it to be stuck fast.I followed local advice and gave it the odd thump with a copper mallet and punch to no avail.I have tried wd40 and am considering CocaCola,I have not had a look under her yet and might motor out later this week with a snorkel.I would really appreciate any advice or direction.Thankyou Des Cullen,Faversham Creek ,The Swale Estury ,Kent.
 
Does she dry out? I often get this when I have dried out somewhere - the casing gets blocked with mud. The solution is to just take her to sea and the mud will get washed away. At least this solution has worked for me!
 
Thanks Niander ,any suggestions if it doesnt work,or any ideas why it might be stuck, gratefully recieved thanks, Des
 
Almost certainly mud and stones jammed in the bottom. Take the top off the case if you can and then use a metal lath 4-6mm thick and about 50mm wide down the sides of the plate to clear the debris. It may also be a seized pivot bolt, although the usual problem there is wear and sloppiness rather than stuck.
 
Thanks Trannona,I will try that following a trip to the blacksmith,i was looking forward to the cococola,and snorkeling thing,another time,thanks again Des.
 
My brother had a length of metal with a V cut in the end. 3mm thick, 30mm wide and about 6 feet long. The v helped to push the stones out of the bottom of the casing when the boat took the ground - twice a day. If she had been left for a while, there was a lot of effort with a thumper and the stone bar to get it all moving again - 15-20mins...
 
Centre plate? What centreplate!

Jammed centreboards seem to be a prime design feature of Kestrels. Get the feeling that owners meeting up wouldn't say "How are you?" but "How's your centreboard?". After spending 8 months on a fairly radical rebuilding and remodelling (pics available- no more togging up or brewing up on hands and knees!), the last job before eventually relaunching in September '09 was to free up the plate. Finally after 4 days using ad hoc tools (wire hooks/ metal laths, pressure washer) it came free and seemed aok. But after a couple of tides (Martlesham Creek dries out) found it again solid. Even an iron bar as punch and a hefty maul wouldn't move it. Might as well be welded in. So, being pragmatic (for which read defeated) I decided to see how she would sail without it. Big surprise - no problem. Tacks well with that barn door like rudder and doesn't seem to make any serious leeway for practical use. Lack of the board might be a comfort issue coastal - anyone tried it? A fellow owner at Martlesham has similarly decided to let the sleeping dog lie (he doesn't call it that, but you'll get my drift). He is a former lifelong racing dinghy man and finds the performance of the Kestrel fine.
 
Restoring a clinker Kestrel 22

Hi. I have just bought a clinker Kestrel 22 which needs much work. I would be fascinated to see your photos, particularly the interior layout.
Regards,
Andy.
 
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