Our Number 1 Searched & Read Topics Is Keel & Winch Issues

We should put together how 2's information to post in one pinned thread, on how to address repair issues related to winch and retractable keels.

I know there are videos, blogs, images around.

You guys with these retractable keels, post your information, and the info you found helpful, so we can catalog it all in one place.

I will start a forum on Repairs, so it can cover all the retractable keel models.

Lists of winch vendors would also be good.

What do people think about the idea of intentionally putting a small hole in the hull just in front of the keel well? I'm thinking of being able to drain that area easily until I am comfortable knowing that I have truely sealed the damage caused by the keel over reaching. How about a 1/4 inch hole which would be filled with a screw when the ship is in the water.

That sounds scary to me. I try not to intentionally put holes in my hull below the waterline.

If you choose this path, use a drain plug. They make them for power boats.

Another winch related issue.
How do you all mark your winch so that it will show you when the keel is up? I have tried paint and it does not seem to stay on the cable. Any suggestions.
Also do you folks pin your keel when its down? I have read as many for as against. If you are using the winch that has the disc brake on it and it becomes slack it will let out a few inches on cable when it tightens. Not good if the keel is free to move. More ideas please.
I hope to soon try out the new rudder. Got more snow yesterday. Southern Nevada is sounding better every day.
Russ

LOL! We got more snow today too... it came as a surprise! Can't wait for spring and getting out on the water again!

I had my head under the keel last night. I can see holes in the side of the keel well for a second bolt to pin the keel down. The holes don't go al the way through into the cabin... Interesting discovery.

hello to all, been a long time since i've been on. i have also just looked under the boat up in the keel trunk, forward, and i noticed that there are 2 holes, one on each side, 1 is plugged with some kind of hard putty looking stuff and the other just has some loose fiberglass sticking through. i am assuming that it was a previous repair, maybe done from the inside? this boat has had the keel pin bolt covered over, which i thought was aft of the keel when it was down, was there also a pin bolt forward of the keel? just a reminder, i'm still brand new to this, have only had the boat out once since the project started last year. thanks

From what I saw on mine, the pin bold is forward of the pivot bolt. It really doesn't matter much where it is as long as there are two bolts. I'm toying with the idea of drilling out the junk in mine and replacing one side with clear silicone and an LED. I'd replace the other side with a clear polycarbonite disk. You could then look through the disk and see if the keel was up. I'm also thinking of putting a small hole in the top of the aft section of the keel well that would be covered with a small clear poylcarbonate disk so I could see if the keel is all the way up.

You need to look at Greg's Keel Stuff on ShutterBug. Gary can probably provide the link. I'm intentionally not computer smart. Retire1, when it comes to the locking pin I do have an opinion. It all depends on where you sail. If you sail in deep water with high waves the pin is needed. It makes the keel solid, with no chance of swinging. But if you sail at Eldorado Lake in Ks. like I do. The Army Corp left every damn tree standing and there is a mudflat that sticks 300 yards into the main lake, leaving little tacking room before the trees. The fixed keel guys get hung up and need one or two power boats to get off. I crank up my keel and drift away, red faced, but afloat. But you MUST keep tension on the cable to prevent a swinging keel. My cable broke and I wasn't smart enough to stay in. I went out in some pretty big waves and got a dose of keel krunch for my efforts. Tiny Dancer, I'm green with envy for the water you sail on. Kelly