Southerly32 keel photos

[FWB]

There was no agenda to posting the photos. I thought the keel design was interesting and would be of interest to owners. The boat itself is in superb condition, being little used. I have no axe to grind with Southerly. It's a nice boat which apparently needed its keel inspecting.

 

[Mistroma]

I'll probably buy a Southerly in a few years when I need to down size the boat. I loved my old S95, had her for about 23 years and had very few

problems with the keel mechanism.

I was interested to see the S32 keel and that lifting bracket looks solid. I assume that the depressions on the top part keep weight down to give

correct amount of ballast. The S95 plate was solid and about 6" thick in the centre section so might have a smaller footprint.

I was puzzled about the reason for checking the bushes. Early Southerlies didn't have bushed bearings and the keel could clunk form side to side

or jam a bit if lifted slightly when sailing. The bushed bearings solved this problem and my S95 had no problems after almost 30 years so it seemed to work. I would only have checked the bearing if it was making a noise or stiff to lift under sail. Obviously worth checking if plate has been removed for some other reason. I'll examine the current design when I get around to looking for another Southerly, so good to see these pictures.

Certainly not a routine maint. job on a Southerly so would have been good to know what prompted the work. Jamming, clunking etc.

 

[pete]

Hi Kimmy 192

No boat is perfect as we all know, but the picture is now out for all to see, and the more you insist that there is nothing wrong without explaining the removal of the keel only makes it look like there is something to hide. A polite explanation at the start would probably have stopped all this in it's tracks but the more you defend your position the more people will make their own mind up sorry.

Pete

 

[FWB]

I seem to have inadvertently opened a can of worms here. If that boat were ever to come on the market it would be the bargain of the decade. It's hardly been used with a high specification. Whatever the reason for the keel removal it's still a great boat. As has been stated all boats can have problems. The keel assembly was easily removed and will no doubt be back soon. The photos were posted just to show the design not criticise it.

 

[albineer]

Hi Kimmy 192

No boat is perfect as we all know, but the picture is now out for all to see, and the more you insist that there is nothing wrong without explaining the removal of the keel only makes it look like there is something to hide. A polite explanation at the start would probably have stopped all this in it's tracks but the more you defend your position the more people will make their own mind up sorry.

Pete

Why should he have to explain it? It takes time and effort to get explanations right.He didn't start the post. Why can't you just leave the guy in peace without assuming there's anything to hide?

 

[Mistroma]

Why should he have to explain it? It takes time and effort to get explanations right.He didn't start the post. Why can't you just leave the guy in peace without assuming there's anything to hide?

True, but odd that all Kimmy192s posts were deleted (as far as I can see) and the original pictures have been removed from public view on photobucket. An explanation of what prompted the work might have been helpful to future Southerly buyers. i.e. What to look for.

However, I can see that the owner would not want to advertise a problem as that could affect the value of the boat. So fair enough I suppose as he didn't bring it up on the forum.

 

[Victoria Sponge]

What a very strange thread........ I've always loved the look and finish of Southerly yachts, very high quality yachts, but out of my price range.

 

[Seajet]

Victoria Sponge,

for a start I'm still chuffed with your good news !

I can sort of understand the thread going as it has; when I published something about maintaining and checking the Anderson 22 & 26 lift keels, it was seized on by my detractors as a glaring fault, when in fact it's anything but and I was just trying to pass on tips !

I must say I too am curious as to why a two year old boat needed the keel assembly removed, but there could be all sorts of good reasons, as I say I'm just curious rather than critical.

 

[pete]

Why should he have to explain it? It takes time and effort to get explanations right.He didn't start the post. Why can't you just leave the guy in peace without assuming there's anything to hide?

He doesn't have to explain anything but with being so overly defensive people will automatically jump to (may-be) the wrong conclusion whether you or he likes it or not.
I am sure that Southerlies are perfectly good boats.
Pete

 

[Buck Turgidson]

He doesn't have to explain anything but with being so overly defensive people will automatically jump to (may-be) the wrong conclusion whether you or he likes it or not.
I am sure that Southerlies are perfectly good boats.
Pete

Not everyone likes having their stuff photographed and put on the internet. Especially without permission. I'm with the owner on this.

 

[pmagowan]

Not everyone likes having their stuff photographed and put on the internet. Especially without permission. I'm with the owner on this.

You don't have the right to the photons of light that bounce off your stuff. It would be a weird world if you had to ask permission before posting about something you saw. If the owner wants to take part in the discussion then I am sure he would be very welcome. As it is we had some interesting photos of a southerly with work being done on its keel. As you would expect people are interested in the reason for this work in a young boat and also interested in southerlies mechanism as it is a clever way of reducing draft. The owner seems a little indignant that anyone would take an interest yet is not prepared to discuss what is going on and why. Without this information then the discussion can only continue with limited facts and a certain amount of speculation. Since it is this speculation that the owner seems so concerned about I thought it was worth pointing out t hat his style has not been particularly successful in alleviating it and he might want to try another tack.

 

[Seajet]

Not everyone likes having their stuff photographed and put on the internet. Especially without permission. I'm with the owner on this.

Yes, but a simple explanation might be useful to other Southerly owners, let alone prospective buyers; after the recent Northshore debacle I'd think it in the owners' interest to give useful info' or tips.

One things' for sure; lift keel boats require the occasional bit of thoughtful maintainence, the price one pays for performance and / or sitting on cheaper moorings.

 

[Talulah]

Sometimes manufacturers only agree to a repair only after a non-disclosure agreement is signed.

 

[MrB]

Keel off a 49 C/O https://www.distantshores.ca

View attachment 43650

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I was interested to see the photos that were posted and regret that I did not have the chance to download them. I also appreciated the link that was posted by Mistroma. Very informative. I take oodles of pictures of boats that are undergoing maintenance or repair at the yard and elsewhere because I have an interest in what can go wrong and how problems are solved. It is a pity that some people do not retain the original spirit of "Practical Boat Owner", essentially that we share experiences, learn from them and help each other when we can.

 

[pvb]

Keel off a 49 C/O https://www.distantshores.ca

View attachment 43650

The Distant Shores blogs have some very good photos of Southerly boats in production. Well worth a look.

 

[yoda]

For all that has been said, I have just reviewed the boat owners comments and he mentions a 'minor problem' Whatever that is we are all still unaware of and I am not surprised that people will comment because of the scale of the work on a boat of that age. It's a pity we don't have the facts as it inevitably leads to nagging doubts about the boat design or build quality.

Yoda

 

[pmagowan]

For all that has been said, I have just reviewed the boat owners comments and he mentions a 'minor problem' Whatever that is we are all still unaware of and I am not surprised that people will comment because of the scale of the work on a boat of that age. It's a pity we don't have the facts as it inevitably leads to nagging doubts about the boat design or build quality.

Yoda

Yes, it is a bit like saying 'I had a minor problem with my house and that is why I have the roof off'! There were some interesting photos and the only thing that has given me doubts about it is the owners response. Otherwise as far as I was concerned it was simply a rare look at some interesting mechanics.

 

[Seajet]

Yes, it is a bit like saying 'I had a minor problem with my house and that is why I have the roof off'! There were some interesting photos and the only thing that has given me doubts about it is the owners response. Otherwise as far as I was concerned it was simply a rare look at some interesting mechanics.

+1 !

 

[Jcorstorphine]

Not had a chance to read all the posts but I witnessed a Southerly yacht under repair and from. memory, there were problems with large cracks on the casting and siezed hinge pin so there is evidence that there could be issues with these types of drop keel designs. I was quite shocked to see the extent of the problem and took some pics. If anyone wishes copies of the pics, send me a PM with their details and I will forward them when I return home.