Dufour T7 Keel Removal

[david_j_kennedy]

I'd like to remove the drop/swing keel on my Dufour T7 to check it over and change the uphaul and downhaul lines.

I can find the cover for the pivot pin but when I take the cover off there is no apparent way to remove the pin

I am guessing the system is fairly common on many boats of a similar age and keel type so hopefully someone with help with letting me know how its done.

Many thanks,
David

 

[bikerbill]

I am relying on memory here having helped somebody do a similar job many years ago. I am assuming that the boat is on a cradle and that there is enough space to drop the swing keel. Have a jack or two to take the weight of the drop keel, which should be in the up position. scrape off AF / paint from the stub keel then you should see the pivot pin. Tap the pin through using a suitable drift, making sure that the drop keel is properly supported and is not 'resting' on the pin. Once out, lower the drop keel with the jacks then remove. You may want to get it re-galvanised. However, If you can't see the pivot pin at all, you may have to lower / remove the stub keel to get access to the pin. It may also need a new bush. refitting is of course a reverse procedure.
HTH
Billy

 

[fixh1]

Hi,

Don't know which year your T7 is, but mine had allso uphaul and downhaul lines so I assume they are the same.
My pivot pin had a threaded hole in it, M5 or M6.
Improvise a pull mechanism, a large hexnut some plates etc, to pull out the pin.
put in an M5 ( or M6) bolt in the pivot pin, a large nut (M14 , to let pass the pivot pin) some washers and than a M5 (or M6) nut on the M5 (or M6) bolt and pull out the pivot pin by turning the M5 (or M6) nut.

In my case the pivot pin was bent serously so it took quit some effort to get it out. Impossible to get it in again, so I had to replace it.
(Also with a M5 threaded hole in it to get it out again)

Good luck!
Hans Fix

 

[david_j_kennedy]

Hans/Billy,

Many thanks for the replys and advice. Have only just managed to get the boat into a high cradle this week so I can lower the keel. will have a look on Sunday and see what can be done. Thanks again and any more advice is welcome and appreciated

 

[Wellsy]

How did you get on with this? Just bought a T7 and was advised to check my swing keel. Interested to hear your experience.