stuck keel

First topic message reminder :

Yep my keel is stuck and I knew better.

I raised my keel to high due to trailer difficulties and it became stuck in the up position. Lets say that I had a difficult time loading my boat on the trailer and the stress at that time made me raise the keel a bit too much. Dam Memorial day stress attacks again.

Is there a diagram of the keel and rigging system out there?

What can I do to get that keel working again?

Boat names usually take care of themselves. Something will come out at you. Rain is good, I fear for a dry hot summer.

Okay everyone I am getting antsy this keel wont drop. I spent the better half of the day raising the keel using a Jack. Then I climbed inside and lifted the pin to move the wench, all I could do is raise the keel more. She wont lower, any ideas?

I am considering removing the wench and installing a new one. Is this difficult to do when there is tension on the cable?

The basic function of this swing keel is not unlike other manufacturers that also make swing keels. Finding another Clipper Marine owner in your docks is not going to be easy / possible, but someone near by has a similar boat as yours, and I think it best to find a like minded person with similar equipment and let them look at it with you. Two heads are better than one, kind of a deal.



You cannot remove the wench with tension on the cable. NO.

Not familiar w/ your exact set up other than pics I have seen over the years. I do have a bit of experience w/ wire rope and winches. As we have recently finished our job contract I am available. Fly us there and we will get her fixed. Seriously.

I agree w/ Kelly. The winch looks good. I don't understand why the cable has constant tension though. You should be able to release the winch and get some slack in the cable. Many times winches are in need of lubrication. Cables as well. Is it a two-way winch?

So you were able to raise it with the wench after you jacked it? If it took force to raise it by using a jack you will likely have to power it out the same way. I am wondering if there is room to get a Porta-Power in there.

Work safe and consider the offer

I'm still afraid of powering down with tension on the winch. I can't see that having a good outcome. I would contact the manufacturer, see if they have a guess. Hope you got a money back guarantee on all this free advice. As a last resort, you could cut the cable, if you have the keel supported. Then you have the problem of reconnecting it,that comes with its own issues, you have to raise the boat off the trailer. Tomorrow my girl goes down two slips to a Hydrolift, so we can get to the broken keel cable.

Tomorrow ill try to lower / work / figure out the keel issue again.

Today was a nightmare as I rewired the entire electrical system on the boat. It was actually quite easy to install once I got the birds nest out. I had an assortment of different gauge wire and connections twisted up inside this boat, just a fire in the works. After today its all clean and professional - I feel safer.

All I have left to do is replace the bow light.

Wish me luck.

Definitely do not attempt to power it down if there is tension on the winch. Getting slack in the cable should be first priority. Then with a free running winch I would power keel down. FWIW. Be safe.

Is it possible that a loop of cable got stuck beside the keel? Did the keel get bumped up while loading?

After jacking the keel up there should have been slack in the cable. Did you use the winch after you jacked the keel? Just trying to figure this out.

Last time while sailing I hit nothing, there is no objects in the way either. I simply raised the keel to high by cranking on the wench and I believe that is how it became stuck.

How high can I jack the keel up? I ask because I don't want further damage or issues like it getting stuck even more, or will it not get stuck at all?

Ill jack it up then Ill go inside the cabin and try to release the tension. I think my wench is damaged and if so can I replace it by keeping the keel jacked upwards thus allowing removal the wench?

So basically there is so much tension on the winch that you can not turn the drum enough to trip the dog and let it release?? Beyond using a socket over the winch handle nut connected to a long breaker bar to leverage the winch enough to pry the dog loose using another bar, try slowly unbolting the winch.

As you mention jack/secure the keel first to make sure it won't come down.

In the picture it looks like unbolting the winch should be straight forward. Remember you are dealing w/ stored energy so go slow and safe. Extra person would help.

I think your winch is likely jammed but not damaged. Most winches will rip themselves from their mount or break the attachment point before harming themselves. Just my experience, your mileage may vary. Judging by the pics yours is ready for a lube job.

Best of luck. Be safe. Wish I were there to help, Ev.

Mac wenches have a brake and no switch to flip you just turn one way to raise and the other way to lower. I suspect that would come in handy (understatement) here.

My boat has an automatic winch that cranks in either direction, but that was What I was worried aqbout, this is likely not a original. Maybe a trailor winch? I like Everett's idea of slowly loosening the holding bolts. On a happier note my boat is sporting a brand new cable.

All right people I removed the keel wench. It was simple to remove once I had the keel held in place with a jack and some wood for safety. It was just 2 bolts holding it in place.

Looks like I should replace the wench (its got some broken teeth) but not sure where to get one. I am going to start looking at RV stores here locally. I have got to sail this weekend so I am determined to get it complete soon.

I want to replace the cable also but I have yet to figure this out. I imagine Ill have to do it while the boat is in the water. Funny cause my greatest fear in life is the underside of a boat! I know, its strange but I got one fear and that is it.

Here is a video of the wench removed, sorry for the poor quality I am not a film maker. Soon ill post a video of the new one going in.

https://youtu.be/QOqnK3YHtjI

Progress at last. My winch is a Fulton atomatic brake. I don't have a model number. The autobrake means it doesn't have the lever to let it down. You just crank it backwards. You don't need a real heavy one the keel only weighs 500 lbs. More important is that it will fit. Everett probably knows more than I. You may want to throw another trailor winch in to get you through this weekend. Harbor Freight, Graingers maybe. We can chat about cable replacement after your weekend sail. Nice looking boat, somebody took good care of her. Next time have someone take you in the picture.

Kelly,

Yes, progress is mine thanks for the help. Harbor Freight is an awesome idea as you say, it will get me in the water this weekend. Then I can put a solid wench in its place afterwards.

The pictures are not honest, this boat needs a bit of work. I would love to tear our all the wood and replace it with marine grade, but then again I want to sail!

Great news Floody!!

Nice if you can find an auto-brake winch as Kelly mentioned. Here is what I will be mounting on Seaweed soon.

http://m.northerntool.com/northerntool/product/detail.do?itemId=638610

To get you going for the week end also check hardware or tractor supply stores, even auto parts stores sometimes offer a cheap one to get you going. Usually the light duty ones are universal and should bolt right up.

Macs use the auto brake wenches and they work well. A worm gear wench would also hold the load automatically.

Some people switch over to small electric ones. You can raise and lower the keel from the cockpit while sailing. Would be a great idea for people working in shallows.

I have considered an electric wench. I am going to shop around today and see what I can find.

I am replacing an electric winch. While it WAS handy especially w/ the long control cord it had it's drawbacks. I say was because it has finally completely died. I am sure the salt environment aided in this. To my knowledge it lasted less than 6 months.

The model we have was slow and noisy. When we bought Seaweed the winch had the factory galvanized cable which rusted and snapped twice in two months before I got it switched out w/ SS. The model we have can only be cranked up w/out power, not down. While at anchor I like the keel up far enough to keep the block and cable out of the water. So now our keel is stuck up until I swap out the winches. I don't like not having an option. Especially when I want to go sailing.

Just my experience and only w/ one model of winch.

Keep in mind the power consumption as well. Any model will need juice.

So I want to thank everyone for helping me get back in the water. My keel is fixed.

I went to harbor freight and bought a cheap mechanical wench, or so I thought. This wench is actually not to shabby. It wont last forever but for what I paid ($22.00) its of good quality, I would wager that it would last for 3 years perhaps more if it were stainless.

I am pleased that I can sail again and thanks for the advice.

Seriously Happy For You!



Hope you get more winds than my day out yesterday!

That's great news!!

Keep it well lubricated and you may be surprised how long it may last.