lifting keel that won't drop

[tonyc]

lifting keel that won\'t drop

The lifting keel on my Feeling 920 (built 1985) is refusing to drop down from the stub keel since I launched this year. I had the same problem last year but eventually managed to free it after a local yard let me use their hoist. I think the problem is corrosion around the pivot pin which prevents movement after a winter ashore. does anyone have any advice? At the worst I think I need to drill through the stub keel, remove the corroded pin and replace. But this may only be a short-term fix or is the repair likely to last another 15 years?

 

[quaelgeist2]

Re: lifting keel that won\'t drop

Having had a Feeling 720 for some years I know that sometimes just dried East COast mud can block the keel for some time from dropping. Assuming that the 920 has an identical mecjhanism here are my two cents...

Have you cleaned the keelbox when hoisting her out after the season? Mud can get rock-solid and may need some hours heavy sailing or a power washer from underneath to be softened.

Drilling out the pivoting pin sounds like an easy thing, however, even on my 720 that was a 10mm stainless steel bolt.

Given the size and weight of the steel centerboard I simply doubt that a corroded pin can block it from dropping (particularly if you have tried to give it a few good whacks already)

Before drilling out the pin, I would try to
- give it some more good vibes with a hammer, loosening anything that might be in the way
- drill a 10mm hole into the centerboard and pull it out
- inspect/check the keelbox using a light and a small wire/wheelspoke
-particularly check whether there is anything possibly blocking the pulling line/shackle fastened to the end of the centerboard

good luck
christian

 

[Joe_Cole]

Re: lifting keel that won\'t drop

Tony,

I have a Feeling 720 of the same vintage. The keel sometimes sticks but I've always been able to free it by either going sailing in choppy water or persuading it with a lump hammer and metal bar through the access hole in the table (I assume your layout is similar to mine). Usually though the keel will drop on its own with a good soaking when its launched and, to be honest, it has been no more than a very minor inconvenince.

I'm told that removing and refitting a new hinge pin is a nasty job. Are you sure that you are not getting corrosion on the sides of the keel which make it jam in the stub?

Incidentaly I always leave the boat with the keel up: I'm not sure if it makes a diifference but it seems to me that it will take some of the load of the hinge pin.

Regards

Joe Cole

 

[Charieis]

Re: lifting keel that won\'t drop

Had same problem with my 1985 Feeling 920.
Assuming that you do not have acres of mud or stones in the keel box, the problem is most likely to be caused by one of the following. Either the plate itself has expanded a bit due to surface corrosion and is being jammed between the nylon guides/spacers, or there is corrosion of the keel box behind these nylon bits that makes them act like the disc pads on your car brakes, so they grip the plate.
This was the problem on mine and entailed removal of the plate and spacers (there are two on each side plus the spacers on the pivot pin). The pin is nylon, about 40mm in diameter and is glassed into the keel, so it is not easy to remove. I had to drill mine out, but it is now easy to remove since it is held in by a couple of plates bolted either side of the keel in the same way as my previous boat (a Jouet 760).
I had some boatyard receipts from the previous owner that showed that he had the same problem every year, so it not uncommon. I also know another Feeling 920 owner with the same problem.
If you want more details on how it all works inside I have a drawing that I could e-mail you.

 

[tonyc]

Re: lifting keel that won\'t drop

Thank you - a plan would be very useful. I have sent you a personal message giving you my e-mail address. Grateful if you could look at this and send the plan.

Thanks in advance

 

[Sixthsense]

Re: lifting keel that won\'t drop

Don't know if you are stiil a YBW reader but I can't find any more recent post. I have the same problem with the keel not dropping on a boat I have just bought. I have cleaned out all the rust and other debris so suspect it might be a seized hinge pin.
Any recent advice welcome

 

[TQA]

Re: lifting keel that won\'t drop

A short sail on a bumpy day sorts mine. The culprits causing the board to hand up are mangrove oysters which flourish in Clarks Court Bay on the discharges from the local rum distillery.