Being that Shaken Knot Stir'd is fixed keel and he said he didn't think the C-22 swing didn't share the same locking neoprine pin, I thaught I would ask here and get back to him,
"I know it may not be the best blue water boat and the swing keel is the reason. Has anyone figured a way of locking a swing keel in place. I would welcome any and all information. I like my boat and I have it the way I want so I can live aboard. The only thing stopping me from costal cruising is the keel banging around in rough water. "
Yes I did invite him to join us here.
question from a fellow C-26 owner
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EmergencyExit
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Well the 1977 manual "says" the swing keel is self locking in that it wedges into its trunk when completely down.
"The ideal position of the keel is 60 degrees to the water line. It is suggested that the keel be let down until the line is slack, when it will automatically lock into its wedge."
But we probably all would say that's not exactly right ! I think even if you might could drill a locking pin all the way thru the head and trunk, or install a snubber pin you wouldn't stop all that 1000+#'s of iron from banging either up and down or side to side in rough seas, and you might wind up ripping out the trunk when something has to give. Just my thoughts...
"The ideal position of the keel is 60 degrees to the water line. It is suggested that the keel be let down until the line is slack, when it will automatically lock into its wedge."
But we probably all would say that's not exactly right ! I think even if you might could drill a locking pin all the way thru the head and trunk, or install a snubber pin you wouldn't stop all that 1000+#'s of iron from banging either up and down or side to side in rough seas, and you might wind up ripping out the trunk when something has to give. Just my thoughts...
I think you could use shims to reduce side to side play. I seem to remember someone doing just that by making washers out of thin plastic, sort of cut into a pac man shape to snap onto the keel pin.
I'm not sure that swinging fore and aft is really much a problem. If one were worried about the shock to the cable you could always put some of snubber in the cable.
The big worry would be that a knock down could result in that big old hunk of iron slamming back into the trunk as the boat goes over. Locking the keel in place shouldn't present too much challenge, it's the ability to unlock when you want to retract it that's the problem. I haven't come up with a workable solution that doesn't involve scuba gear.
As an aside, the Hake Seawards are marketed for "open water" and I don't believe they have a keel lock. I know they're keels retract vertically, but I still wouldn't want it slamming home in a roll-over.
I'm not sure that swinging fore and aft is really much a problem. If one were worried about the shock to the cable you could always put some of snubber in the cable.
The big worry would be that a knock down could result in that big old hunk of iron slamming back into the trunk as the boat goes over. Locking the keel in place shouldn't present too much challenge, it's the ability to unlock when you want to retract it that's the problem. I haven't come up with a workable solution that doesn't involve scuba gear.
As an aside, the Hake Seawards are marketed for "open water" and I don't believe they have a keel lock. I know they're keels retract vertically, but I still wouldn't want it slamming home in a roll-over.
Tom
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
1981 Endeavour 43 s/v Pearl Lee
Former 1976 Columbia Payne 9.6 s/v Gin Rhumby
Former 1979 Chrysler 26, s/v Copacetic
http://www.asswhaffleyachtclub.net
http://www.svpearllee.com
I'm most interested in this subject as I lost (broke) a keel cable during a storm. Now understand the cable was as old (used in fresh water only) as the boat so maybe age had something to do with it. Was no problem fixing it but sure makes getting into a four foot depth dock rather difficult - LOL
I'm very interested about the thoughts on this.
I'm very interested about the thoughts on this.