Help me to understand Swingkeels

[Ungvar]

Okay, first I want to thank everyone for the excellent advice. I went and viewed the boat today and was very impressed with what I saw.

The accommodations were much bigger than I expected, with running water (manual) a fixed head, speed, depth, VHF, 9.9 Honda four-stroke, nice engine, workable trailer, sound hull. The keel was not what I expected though.

There was no trunk in the cabin, the keel assembly was underneath, bolted to the bottom of the hull. The bolts and backings looked great.

But picture 1 shows where I think there should be a keel pin. Is this boat missing its keel pin? The owner is looking into it for me, but I think this could be an issue. How much is a new keel pin?

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[Kenr74]

Hard for me to imagine how a keel pin goes missing without the owner knowing it, but I suppose stranger things have happened. If the pin was just gone, I would imagine you could wiggle the keel fore and aft with some effort, as it looks like you can get ahold of the end of it. A pin would not be expensive. On older boats you can't often find anything off the shelf, but a local machine shop could make something to fit easily. Maybe the "pin" is a piece of hollow stock (if the keel is lightweight)?

[Ungvar]

The sale is being handled by the previous owners estate. My theory is he removed it to maintain it and never returned it. The keel is 1100 lbs, so I can't see a hollow pin being used.

The family is looking in to it.

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[Boulter]

I don't understand how this keel pin arrangement is supposed to work. You dive the boat and install? Or accessible inside as pin hole is above waterline?

As far as I know, my Tanzer 22 has no locking arrangement. I can see why one might want one, but unclear how I'd retrofit something.

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[Ungvar]

I think the keel pin goes in at the start of the season and stays in all season. Maybe I have my terminology wrong, I started this thread because I'm a swing keel newbie.

You control keel up vs down with a control line in the cockpit.

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[Kenr74]

That makes sense as to why the pin could be missing. It should be fairly easy to determine if that is the main pin location. Just probe in the hole, and see if it goes through the keel. If so, take some measurements, and have a pin made. You will have to investigate how the old pin was held in place, or just engineer something sufficient.
Are you sure the keel weighs 1100 lbs? That seems very heavy for that size boat. If that is the amount of ballast, there is often more ballast than just the swing keel. My Chrysler 26 has quite a bit of lead on either side of the swing keel pocket, although my V-222 had none.
To Boulter: this thread was previously discussing lock down mechanisms, but the boat he is looking at now is potentially missing the pin the keel swings on. In this design it seems it is a pin that goes through the keel trunk below the waterline.

[Boulter]

Originally Posted by Kenr74

To Boulter: this thread was previously discussing lock down mechanisms, but the boat he is looking at now is potentially missing the pin the keel swings on. In this design it seems it is a pin that goes through the keel trunk below the waterline.

OK, I lost track somehow LOL.

My Tanzer pin is not stock from what I have read. It is a hex head bolt, 2 flat washers, one each side, and a nut, perhaps nylock. It is bottom painted, so actual nut isn't really identifiable. Might not even be stainless steel, I mean the keel is cast. Who knows.

So OP worst case I think some stainless steel hardware and about $50 ought to solve the problem.

Boulter


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[Ungvar]

Kenr, I think only a portion of the ballast and another portion is in the stub keel.

The owner says her brother took the boat out of the water and did not remove the pin.

I think I might have been looking in the wrong place and the whole I saw is something else entirely.

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[Jim Cate]

Ungvar, looking at this question logically, I can see no reason that the PO would have removed the pivot pin (we are talking about t he pivot pin, on w hich the swing keel swings, not the pin that could lock it in the down position, are we not?).

First, there is no normal need to do so as a routine practice.

Second, it would be quite difficult to do with the boat resting on the hard or on a trailer.

Third, it would leave the boat in an awkward state, where it could not be sailed, trailered or moved without a travel lift.

Fourth, if removed, it would then be a serious task to refit the pin... getting everything properly lined up, etc.

So, I would easily believe the owner's statement.

Jim

[Kenr74]

Sounds like you are getting things figured out. I hope it works out for you. Happy sailing!

[Ungvar]

I definitely believe the owner, she also sent me the original owners manual from 1972 in PDF and showed me the manufacturers recommended annual maintenance schedule and there was no mention of routine pin maintenance of any description. The only mention of routine maintenance regarding the keel assembly was for the pendant.

Too bad the owners manual didn't have any drawings.

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[HappyMdRSailor]

I REALLY LIKE the system they have there for the blade pocket... Very creative!

[Ungvar]

Thanks everyone for your input. I didn't end up getting the CS22 because after showing a few tire kickers my 35 footer I realised that I may as well keep the big boat, since that's what I'm going to need again in a few years any way and it's so hard to find one set up right for the right price.

I learned a lot about swing keels, I would definitely consider one in the future if I found myself in the market for a pocket cruiser.

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[HappyMdRSailor]

Nothing wrong with having more than one boat...

[Ungvar]

Originally Posted by HappyMdRSailor

Nothing wrong with having more than one boat...

Ha ha, that's what I said to my wife and she pointed out hardwood floors in the dining room would be nice too...

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