Etap - Lifting Keel Problem - HELP!

[KevinHiggins]

Can anyone advise me on a problem. The keel on my Etap 22i can winch up but will not release down without added force. Thread has been regularly greased and appears to be properly aligned when removed.

Unable to find any help on Etap website.

 

[Athene V30]

Don't know the keel arrangement on an Etap but used to sail a lift keel Sonata that had center plate in a stub keel which often got stuck with mud / shingle etc?

 

[exfinnsailor]

Ours is a Beneteau 323 .. Winder in middle of table .. When new we wound it up to make sure we got into Southwold on Low Springs only to find it would not go down again .. Block of wood and a club hammer ( Agents Recomendations ) They did ask if we had been aground .. It is possible to twist the plate so it winds up but will not drop back .. Could also be mud etc just enough to hold it .. Hope you can sort it .. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[davidpbo]

Try Trail Sail Association here, go to contacts and send an email via the Technical Questions about trail sailing link. I doubt they will mind if you are not a member.

The replier has had an Etap 22i for a number of years as have several other members. At least one has dropped the lifting keel out for repairs. It sounds as though it may be stones or corrosion causing a problem in the keel box. There have been articles about it and someone may be able to email you them. Membership of the TSA was £6 per annum and they are a good bunch of people with a variey of usually trailerable boats and very helpful.

If you wish, putting your approximate geographic location in your user profile may assist people in pointing you in the direction of help. It sounds as though you may need access to a crane or hoist to lift the boat off the keel which I believe is a relatively deep vertical raising keel on a screw thread.

 

[achwilan]

amazing advice!...
On my Jeanneau SO35, lifting the keel went harder and harder, whith a screeching noise, during the first month afloat.
The diagnostic was: no grease in the ball bearings of the winch looking device of the table (factory omitted...). Jeanneau replaced the whole lifting keel device (nearly seized) without further discussion.
So, as Jeanneau and Beneteau part suppliers are the same , don't let your seller abuse you...

 

[Inselaffe]

I have an Etap 22, the one before yours, so not sure how similar it is, but I have a drawing I can send you if you pm me your email.

Also, the bottom two downloads on this link might be useful:

http://www.etapowners.org.uk/downloads.html