Snapdragon lifting keel winch set up

[Peter Healey]

Anyone know how the wormdrive winch on a Snapdragon 23 is rigged to lift the keel? Mine had galvanized chain but I am thinking stainless wire would be better. Any thoughts, diagrams?

 

[neil_s]

Sorry - don't know the arrangement on the Snapdragon, but on my Seal 28 stainless wires last well. There are two wires working together, one on either side of the screw jack that go down to the keel over some sheaves. I replace them every 12 years (same as the rest of the rigging) even though they don't seem to show any signs of distress. Maintenance is a smear of grease every year.

 

[rgarside]

These days the most obvious answer for the types of applications may be dyneema.

 

[stu9000]

Hi, mine had steel wire. I would have thought chain would be ok as long as it wasn't too rusted. Its been a while but I think mine rolled over a block before dropping down to attach to the keel. I cant imagine chain doing that.

The main issues I read about were to do with the pin/swivel point wearing or the hole attachment point to the keel wearing through. It is not possible to view these items without dropping the keel. Worth checking though as if your keel drops out on a drying mooring it can hole the boat in the next low tide.

My keel was stuck in the up position. Bit of a mare to clear it. Once I had it out I angle ground centuries of crap off it, primed and painted and it gave me no further trouble.

Good luck

S

 

[Peter Healey]

Hi, mine had steel wire. I would have thought chain would be ok as long as it wasn't too rusted. Its been a while but I think mine rolled over a block before dropping down to attach to the keel. I cant imagine chain doing that.

The main issues I read about were to do with the pin/swivel point wearing or the hole attachment point to the keel wearing through. It is not possible to view these items without dropping the keel. Worth checking though as if your keel drops out on a drying mooring it can hole the boat in the next low tide.

My keel was stuck in the up position. Bit of a mare to clear it. Once I had it out I angle ground centuries of crap off it, primed and painted and it gave me no further trouble.

Good luck

S

Thanks for your reply. I think that the previous owner of my Snapdragon had a chain fitted to perminently hold the keel up as he lived on it but judging by everything else didn't sail it! We have her up on block's to drop the keel and refit her lifting gear with stainless steel wire.

 

[Refueler]

If I remember rightly - my Fathers Lift keel Snapdragon had galvanised wire ..... I remember us boys hated it when he would say - OK ... wind up / down ... the handle was set into the end of saloon table (which was actually top of keel box).

I always understood galvanised was preferred as you could actually see deterioration of the wire unlike stainless that literally gives no warning of failure.

The right answer of course would be given by Snapdragons Owners Association .....

Home | Snapdragon Mirage and Invaders Association

 

[Gixer]

My Snapdragon 23 had galvanised wire I changed it for stainless steel. As said before there was a handle at the end of the saloon table/keel box. It was a pretty simple arrangement if I remember correctly. Can you upload photos of what you’ve got?

 

[Peter Healey]

My Snapdragon 23 had galvanised wire I changed it for stainless steel. As said before there was a handle at the end of the saloon table/keel box. It was a pretty simple arrangement if I remember correctly. Can you upload photos of what you’ve got?

At the moment we have removed the winch and load bearing block to drop the keel out! Don't think that the previous owner did any sailing so i'am in the process of doing a full on job! She will be nice when we have finished, but probably worth less than we are spending!

 

[Gixer]

I do miss my Snapdragon. She had a good turn of speed and when the sails were balanced I could let go of the helm and she'd pretty much sail herself.
I think I paid £1500, spent £2500 getting her sea worthy and then sold her for £2500.
A labour of love
Would love to see some pictures if you get chance.

 

[Refueler]

I always said my Snapdragon was a dinghy with a lid on top ! But I could never say she had a good turn of speed as mine was a triple keel.

I actually sold mine on to get a boat with standing headroom .....

But my fathers lifting keel - we used to enter Round the Island Race (Solent) ... and she did not do badly.

For those who fit Stainless cable ... I'm surprised. The general advice from Thames Marine and boat yards when it was a 'current' boat was to stay with Galvanized.