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 Do you lower your Swing Keel when on trailer?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Drews Cruise
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts
Initially Posted - 11/14/2017 :  17:11:42  Show Profile
Hey guys, just a random question for those of you with Swing Keels...

Do you lower the keel when it sits on your trailer and will not doing so damage the boat in any way?

Just want to hear your thoughts on this.

Thanks.
Drew C. | 1979 Catalina 25 SK TR #1420
http://bit.ly/Click_Here_For_My_Catalina_25_Videos

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5851 Posts
Response Posted - 11/14/2017 :  17:43:51  Show Profile
If it's just sitting on the trailer, it shouldn't hurt anything, but wouldn't it make sense to take a load off the mechanism and supporting structure ?

Whenever you move the trailer or pull it on the road, the keel should be lowered enough to let it rest on the trailer. The reason is that, when you hit a chuckhole or bump in the road, the shock load can easily damage the fiberglass structure that supports the keel. My C25 had a fin keel, but I previously had a C22 swing keel, and I trailered it without lowering the keel and broke the fiberglass supporting structure.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts
Response Posted - 11/14/2017 :  18:32:21  Show Profile
You should ALWAYS lower the swing keel when it is on the trailer, unless you are only hauling out to check/clean the bottom and intend to put it back in immediately. The trailer bunks/pads/rollers should be supporting only the weight of the hull, to the extent possible. Note: the C-22 keel in Steve's post above weighed about 550 lbs. The C-25 swing keel weighs about 1,500 lbs. BIG difference!
DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN
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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1762 Posts
Response Posted - 11/14/2017 :  19:43:17  Show Profile
You might also be able to lower the swing keel and butt it against a crossbar ... that helps keep the boat from moving backward:
Buzz Maring

~~Freya~~
C-25 SK/SR #68
Lake Dallas, TX
Edited by - Buzz Maring on 11/14/2017 19:47:16
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Enchantment II
1st Mate

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USA
88 Posts
Response Posted - 11/15/2017 :  10:34:39  Show Profile
Yes, I have a piece of 4" channel on my trailer. I put a piece of 2x4 on it and lower the keel on to it. Highly recommend. I agree with all of the previous posts.
Joseph Henderson
82-CAT 25 TR SK
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4275 Posts
Response Posted - 11/17/2017 :  18:26:49  Show Profile
So with a fixed or wing keel is all the weight of the boat supposed to rest on the keel with the rollers, pads, or bunks (in my case) there just to keep the boat from falling over?

OR

Does a percentage of the boat weight rest on the keel and the balance of the weight rest on the rollers, pads, or bunks?

Association Member

GaryB
Andiamo
'89 SR/WK #5862
Kemah,TX
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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3754 Posts
Response Posted - 11/18/2017 :  10:01:41  Show Profile
I think for stability you would want 10-20% on the rollers/bunks for stability.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle
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islander
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3992 Posts
Response Posted - 11/18/2017 :  11:10:24  Show Profile
Lowering the keel on to the trailer removes a majority of the weight of the keel off your rollers or bunks and is a significant amount. The rest of the weight of the boat is still supported by the rollers or bunks.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688
Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound


Edited by - islander on 11/18/2017 11:55:07
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Drews Cruise
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts
Response Posted - 11/22/2017 :  11:33:39  Show Profile
Great advice guys. Glad I asked about it. It has been raised up for awhile after I did my keel overhaul and I will go ahead and lower it back down now. Will also be careful to lower it befote trailering when I pull it out of the water. Thanks!
Drew C. | 1979 Catalina 25 SK TR #1420
http://bit.ly/Click_Here_For_My_Catalina_25_Videos
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.