Leaking lift keel Beneteau 331

[scorpion331]

I have a Beneteau 331 lift keel which leaks water through the top of the keel winding mechanism when the boat settles on the mud.

Anyone had that problem and a solution?

<hr width=100% size=1>Yorkshire Viking

 

[boatless]

We had a similar question a while ago, just done a search and given up!

I recall that we deduced that once the keel case touches the mud it effectively seals the case - water being a liquid and by definition unable to sustain a shear force, whereas mud can. Any further pressure will push the mud up into the case, and also the water above it.

An idea was to arrange an overflow drain hole/fitting/pipe to a large enough reservoir to catch it all? Hope being that the amount of water might decrease with each tide, obviating the need for the reservoir volume to equal your hull!

Perhaps the poser of the original q can report back on his success?

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[ex-Gladys]

previous thread was about a Jaguar IIRC

<hr width=100% size=1>Larry Botheras

Anderson 26 "Amber"

 

[scorpion331]

Thanks for confirming our thoughts, we watched from the harbour wall as the boat reached a point where the water had receeded enough to lower the waterline with the mud supporting the weight of the boat, the mud can only do this for a short time, the boat settles quickly to a new equilbrium squeezing the water out of evey availble space which in reality means the inadequate breather pipe or into the hull.

Did you sell your boat..hence boatless?

<hr width=100% size=1>Yorkshire Viking

 

[boatless]

Unfortunately separated a year or so ago, house and everythingless actually. Onwards and upwards.

<hr width=100% size=1>my opinion is complete rubbish, probably.

 

[mirabriani]

John, if you are interested, I can introduce you to a group of saily people.
Ages range from 40 to 60s
Do dinghies, cycling, yachting. Based in kent but so what? I live in Purley.
PM me and I'll try to figure out how to access it and get back to you,Doooh!
Regards Briani

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[walkabout2]

I have a First 305 lift keel and have the same problem. If you remove the table from the case a breather tube is revealed leading from the case to the galley sink drains. If you disconnect this you will find it blocked with mud which will blow thro with the dinghy pump. I find that leaving the galley seacock open at all times generally puts the water back where it belongs. Please ensure the integrity of your plumbing before relying on this solution. I now generally have a blockage once every couple of years and it take about 15 mins to rectify. Sorry this is a bit late and you haven't sold the boat but can undertstand the frustration.
Steve
PS my boat is kept in the really deep gungy mud at fawley!