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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

keel winch question ... got loose?

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ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/26/2008 : 11:29:18

I'm still perplexed.
I wonder if this has happened to any of you?
It seems that one of the bolts that holds up my keel winch might have loosened a teeny bit, either that, or possibly the metal frame (housing?) of the winch itself might have bent a little bit.

Yesterday when I began to crank down the keel, it was binding seriously so much that I noticed the winch itself was starting to move (with the pressure of the handle). Naturally I stopped. I don't think I turned it one full rotation. The day before it operated down and back up just fine.

My winch is only two or three years old. I replaced it myself.
The top of my "radiator" hose extends up high enough so that now the end of the hose is pinched between the cable and the side of the winch drum. I think that is what was binding. The hose itself has not moved (it was always fairly high) and it is still quite secure at the bottom and it is bone dry there. Thank god.

So what I think I need to do is one of three possibles.

1- Have my marina haul out my boat and set it down with the keel supported (to take the weight off the winch) so I can tighten the aft-most bolt supporting the winch.

2- Carefully lower the keel (while in the water) so the weight of the keel is off the winch, so I can ....
OR 

3- If I don't want to have the marina haul my boat, and I don't want to crank it down ... possibly support the weight of the keel with a long nylon web strap (like the kind that is used for tie-downs on trucks or trailers) with a tightening winch. (So I can tighten the aft-most bolt.)

If I decide to do number three, do you thing the sides and cabintop would support the weight of the keel?

If the bolt didn't loosen, then I guess the frame/housing of the winch might have bent a little bit.

I don't know. Has anything like this happened to any of you swingers out there?

If the frame/housing of the winch has bent a little bit, I wonder if that would be a warranty issue for Catalina Direct?
Thank you for any ideas, suggestions.

Cap'n Dave
Sailing The Blues
1986 C25 sr/sk #5413

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2008 : 12:57:48

From your description, I assume your boat is in the water and the keel is up.
Because I'm at a lake without any Marina, I'd retrieve my boat with my trailer - and replace the winch on my trailer.

OR

If after close inspection I understood that the problem was with a non-mechanical part of the winch, I'd find a way to secure it and winch the keel down. I'd probably drill another hole and place a bolt or some similar thing. Perhaps a webbing strap around the winch securing it to the steps...then I'd use this jury-rigged setup until my new winch arrived from CD, then replace it while the keel was down.

FWIW - I keep my keel down all the time. The only time it comes up during the season is when I run-aground. (Like last weekend, for example

)

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2008 : 18:26:11

Did you remember to put the teak wedge back in between the bottom of the step and the wench?

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2008 : 19:04:18

> "end of the hose is pinched between the cable and the side of the winch drum."

You're sure the bolt loosened just a 'teeny bit'?. Your keel hose should be several inches lower than the winch drum. (as in Frank's photo above)... for it to get tangled up in the drum... something's really haywire.

Safest option is number 1 above. If you have a hoist available, I'd take that route. If you pull the keel hose off in the water, you won't have much time to get the boat out of the water.

Since you have only lowered the keel a tiny bit (<1 turn) you can probably get the boat back on the trailer without needing to crank up further... provided of course, that your trailer is handy.

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 05/26/2008 : 22:01:12

No trailer or (vehicle strong enough).
Frank, yes thanks I did use the wedge.
But now the wedge is loose.
My hose IS too long, though. I think I can safely trim the hose with a good pair of shears.
Frank,it was because of your good pictures that I could do the job in the first place.
I think I left the hose long to help prevent percolation (in reverse).
By the way, I think we should nominate Frank best photographer of the group.

Edited by - on

Davy J
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1511 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 00:16:10

I'll second that nomination.

Frank, do you have a "Mini-Me" that photographs all of your work.

Edited by - on

dcicirelli
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 21:00:15

I may have some insight gained this past weekend. I hit a sunk boat in Grant Fl which lifted my keel and dropped it suddenly. The stress of this drop bent my wench frame and cause the same type of binding you are describing. I have been in the practice of using my keel as a depth gage as my local sailing grounds has many small shoals but this has never been a problem. My wench still works but he bolt used to capture the cable is binding on the wench frame each time it goes around. Haven't fixed it yet so I can't help you there, but I will be checking my cable guide for damage also.

Good luck and hope this helps,
Dave

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 22:23:20

Dave,
Thanks for the input. I'll probably try trimming my "radiator" hose first, to take the pressure off.
Then when the keel is down, secure the cable and make sure the winch is tight.
I may still have the boat hauled out.
May I suggest you not be so quick to hit bottom? I noticed you're new to the group.
My keel doesn't "clunk", but that's a problem you don't want to start.
And unnecessary pressure from different sides may cause looseness in the hinge.
Do you have a depth sounder? They're not very expensive.
Another thought ... I wonder if MAYBE when your keel came up suddenly and came down, I wonder if the cable came off the turning ball and is riding on the side of it now (binding). Just a thought.
As they say...
"Any captain who says he hasn't hit bottom is a liar."
Cheers,
Dave

Edited by - ddlyle on 05/27/2008 22:27:51

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 23:45:35

Thanks for the kudos but I am a complete slacker these days and not worthy.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 05/27/2008 : 23:53:17

Remember if the hose comes off you sink. It just seems that you over torqued the winch maybe by pulling on the pinched hose or the keel cable did come out of the slot in the brass ball pinned at the top of the pipe, held by the two hose clamps.

Pulling the boat out with keel down causes the slack cable to push the cable fitting out of alignment and dig into the fibre glass as the keel comes up on the trailer. Someone needs to be in the boat to pull the cable slack up as the boat comes up on the trailer.

I wonder if cable override or alignment caused the pressure? Close inspection with a light or camera might help. I sure like Frank's picture. Good luck with your keel.

Edited by - on

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