Cole 23 Swing Keel

[tappers]

g'day,

Looking at purchasing a Cole 23. I'm currently considering two. One which has a lot of work done to it (new standing rigging etc) and the other that is showing its age. The problem is, the one that is showing its age is a later model with what the sales guys tells me is an "Improved wider swing keel" making is more stable than the original production run. The Cole that has been worked on certainly does have a smaller keel as is of the original production run. I can not find any information online about the subject and I'm wondering if any one has any practical knowledge around this subject that can be of help in my decision making.

Cheers

 

[Seajet]

I don't know the Cole 23, but common snags to look out for with swing keels are the holes in the plate at pivot and lift points can elongate and the pivot bolt / pin wear due to the jiggling action of the boat on a mooring or marina berth etc.

If these points are not easy to access for inspection and / or replacement it would be a problem.