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Swing Keel Blots

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gerdo
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107 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/04/2003 : 15:23:26

Brother Leon, the wonderful web site with your swing keel work is no longer accessible. May be my ISP or may be the site. Any how my only question is what sized were the threaded rods you used to raise keel?

Do you think I can make a cradle for the keel and use a car floor jack to lower it to blocks. My boat is on stands not a trailer.

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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4382 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2003 : 19:28:33

You'll certainly need some sort of bracing system to keep the keel vertical during and after you've lowered it. Are you going to move the keel out from underneath the boat? If so, a cradle with skids would be an option.
Why not use the floor jack to lower and raise the front end of the keel?
Not sure I ever figured out why but the keel had a tendency to shift aft a few inches once it was clear of the recessed area that contains the pin hardware.

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ClamBeach
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Response Posted - 02/04/2003 : 19:36:46

I used an automotive floor jack to lower my V23 Keel.

I'd make darn sure it's a good heavy duty jack (not the $20 variety)and you have good bracing to keep the keel stable side-to-side at all times. That puppy is heavy. Place some material between the jack and the keel to help keep it from sliding off the lifting pad.

I made some substantial 'V' blocks out of 6x12 timbers to hold the keel upright, clamped them securely to some heavy duty metal dollys and gently lowered the keel into them... cable end first, then the pivot end. I could wheel the keel around pretty easily on at that point.

That said, the V23 keel was only 750lbs.. half the weight of the C25.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

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Leon Sisson
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1893 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2003 : 22:15:33

gerdo,<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>... web site with your swing keel work is no longer accessible.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>If you mean the long illustrated article on swing keel installation in the driveway, then yeah, I think the website went away. It wasn't my site to control. Of course I still have all the original material and then some, if anyone needs a copy. It's large, so be careful what you ask for.
<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>what sized were the threaded rods you used to raise keel? <hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>3/8"-NCx16" max length. I used stainless steel all-thread rods. A couple of 3' pieces should be plenty. Don't exceed 16" individual rod lengths to avoid interference with jacks and blocking.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>Do you think I can make a cradle for the keel ...<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>I made several swing keel handling fixtures and tools. Here are links to photos that show some: [url="http://www.trailersailor.com/uploads/1_c25_keel_10.jpg"]Link to pic of swing keel handling fixtures.[/url] Note pivot bushing alignment jig on floor. [url="http://www.trailersailor.com/uploads/c25sk_51.jpg"]Link to swing keel on pallet & rollers.[/url] Note 1-1/2" thick plywood, and rollers going slightly oval under load -- don't go any smaller!

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>.. keel had a tendency to shift aft a few inches once it was clear of the recessed area that contains the pin hardware.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>Sure does, enough to potentially jam or even damage the threaded rods. May be caused by keel winch cable angle. I rigged a portable tackle (4:1 boom vang) and spare dock lines from aft end of keel to a point forward on the trailer to adjust and maintain fore/aft position of keel.

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>... used an automotive floor jack to lower ... keel. ... make darn sure it's a good heavy duty jack ... That puppy is heavy. Place some material between the jack and the keel to help keep it from sliding off the lifting pad.<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>Yes, agree with, and did, all of that. Used a 3-ton floor jack in new condition. Be very respectful of the weight of the Catalina 25 swing keel.

-- Leon Sisson

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gerdo
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Response Posted - 02/05/2003 : 09:21:07

Leon did you really mean 3/8" blots. Your old photos they looked thinner than that. Will follow everyones advice. Was planning on using 3.5 ton floor jack. Will not be moving keel out from under boat. Plan on welding bushing into keel and replacing swing pin assembly.

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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.