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Beaching Swing Keel C-25

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albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/30/2003 : 10:32:55

We've got a small protected sand beach nearby and would like to beach my Swing Keel C-25.

Has anyone else done this?

I envision only the bow section actually beaching with the swing keel head wedged into the sand. The rest of the keel area would be in 1 to 6 inches of water (really close to the bottom)!

My concern is that the SK doesn't retract completely into the trunk so it may act as a wedge. Any wake or sudden movement could cause contact with the bottom resulting in unplanned lateral and vertical swing keel travel. This could lead to a damaged keel trunk.

Any suggestions?

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com

Edited by - albert on 07/30/2003 10:34:40

Edited by - albert on 07/30/2003 10:35:42

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2003 : 10:37:23

Never beach my 25, nor my swing keel 22. Just a thought: Take into consideration the tides. If you beach near high tide, and the tidal drop is significant you could have a long wait until you get off the beach.

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2003 : 11:21:03

Albert,

Your instincts are right on. The keel trunk of the c 25 swing is delicate at most, barely holding its own under normal sailing conditions. To expose it to beaching stresses that system to an extent that was never part of its design parameters. You might get by under ideal conditions but as you mentioned boat wake will erase any cautious adjustment in beaching. I've seen keel failures caused by improperly storing a swing on the hard. "MINNIE'S" swing was compromized when hauling her onto her trailer. I seem to remember her owner comment that he heard a "crunching sound" bringing her onto her trailer(correct me if I'm off base here Bill). That's fragile in my book. I'd not beach a swing willy nilly. Might be better if you hold your stern off with a stern anchor and launch a bow anchor, then bring the boat back off the beach with the stern anchor before traffic wake has an effect. The other concern might rightly be for the rudder which is deeper than the keel trunk.

Val on Calista # 3936

Val Bisagni]<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df11b3127cce94709c5ff2e90000000010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 07/30/2003 : 11:41:05

Hi Albert,

Val is right on the money when he describes the damage done to the keel trunk on Minnie. The event was the final push that cause Mike to retrofit a new wing keel to his boat. (See the Tech Tips section for a full write up)

In addition to Val's other comments; you want to remember that the keel pivot castings (the things that actually hold the pivot pin that goes through the keel) are only held onto the boat with two 3/8" stainless steel bolts (each). The nuts are glassed into the keel trunk structure. To my mind, if the keel is retracted, but on the bottom, you end up with a 1,500 lb centerline anchor attached to a nearly 3,000 boat with those four little 3/8" bolts. Diagonal or lateral waves could pretty quickly exceed the holding power of the bolts........then, you'll have a 1,500 lb anchor attached to the 3,000 boat by the 1/4" keel cable 'n winch.......Well, you get the picture.

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 22:45:51

the boats weight on the keel may cause you some problems on the bottom of the hull. I don't think it is very safe to rest the boat on a 1800lbs keel. it may cause some stress on the fiberglass.

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy
<img src="http://www.websdf.com/logo_web.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - on

albert
Captain

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USA
262 Posts

Response Posted - 07/31/2003 : 23:34:09

Thanks. I was afraid that beaching was not an option. Oh well, I can always get a 14' Hobie cat as my beachable dink :-). Although it probably won't tow very well...

Albert Iturrey
al@comhertz.com

Edited by - on

Dave B
Admiral

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Mali
863 Posts

Response Posted - 08/01/2003 : 08:20:07

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...I can always get a 14' Hobie cat as my beachable dink :-). Although it probably won't tow very well...
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
Ya, it'll keep crashing into your transom! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 #5032 "Passage" SR/FK/Dinette/Honda in SW CT

Edited by - on

Ed Montague
Captain

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USA
499 Posts

Response Posted - 08/02/2003 : 14:18:06

We side tie our Hobie 16 when towing. Put the rudders in the up position, tie fore and aft with fenders between.

Ed Montague on 'Yahoo'
1978 #765 SK, Stnd, Dinette ~_/)~

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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.