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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Keel ball photo

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/09/2003 : 09:40:36

First here is a shot of my pin area. the keel is down and there is no slop visable, every thing snugs up nicely in the down position.

However this picture of my keel ball is another story. You can see the cable is coming from too deep in the ball. It is sliding on the SS axle of the ball. It is also cutting a slight indentation in the fiberglass at the trunk exit and my have worn into the "tube" that the ball sits in.

I have a new ball and was going to replace it as preventitive maintenance, but my "radiator hose" under the winch is epoxied to the fiberglass snout. I assume I must remove this hose to replace the ball. Is that true? Also, I thought I could pull the cable up the trunk to help replace the ball but the fitting will not go past the ball. (DUH!) So, I guess I need to unspool the cable from the winch and pull it out the bottom. (Double DUH) I just don't recall anyone ever mentioning that we needed to unspool the cable. Do I want to replace my ball in my driveway or do I want them to do it at the dealership while they piddle on my bottom?

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 11/09/2003 11:29:00

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2003 : 10:45:50

Hi Frank,

I have a new ball and was going to replace it as preventitive maintenance, but my "radiator hose" under the winch is epoxied to the fiberglass snout. I assume I must remove this hose to replace the ball. Is that true? - Frank

Yes, that's true. The rubber hose is supposed to be held onto the bronze pipe with two SS hose clamps. Since it has been epoxied on, I don't know how you're going to get it off without cutting it up and wrestling off the pieces. BTW, this isn't any ordinary rubber hose ... it has metal wire running through it for reinforcement ... it won't be very easy to cut up. Of course, cutting it up means you're going to need to replace the hose, but Catalina Direct has them.

Also, I thought I could pull the cable up the trunk to help replace the ball but the fitting will not go past the ball. (DUH!) So, I guess I need to unspool the cable from the winch and pull it out the bottom. (Double DUH) I just don't recall anyone ever mentioning that we needed to unspool the cable.

Yep, you'll have to pull the cable out through the bottom. When it comes time to put the cable back on the winch, you'll need someone to pull the slack out of the cable while you crank the slack onto the spool, or it will make a "rat's nest." BTW, are you going to replace the cable with a new one? I would if I were in your situation, unless you know that it has been replaced recently.

Do I want to replace my ball in my driveway or do I want them to do it at the dealership while they piddle on my bottom?

It's not hard to do by yourself, so, if you want to save some boat units to spend on something else, you could do the labor yourself. When I replaced all the keel cable hardware on my boat, I ran into the same thing ... the turning ball had seized, and the cable was slowly cutting it in half.

When I removed the rubber hose, I couldn't figure out how to get the turning ball out. As it turned out, the ends of the shaft that goes through the turning ball had been covered with fiberglass at the factory. I had to use a Dremel tool to grind off the fiberglass ... once the ends of the shaft were exposed, I used a punch to remove it and the turning ball fell right out.

'Hope that helps ... BTW, I really enjoyed the photos and the movie clip of the soda blasting ... 'cool!

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2003 : 11:23:34

I'd for sure replace the hose and keel cable every time I service the keel anyway. Cheap peace of mind. Cut or chisel the hose away and toss it. Put new hose and clamps on. This area is below the waterline and if it fails, the boat will sink. Fortunately, my hose came right off and the turning ball pin wasn't glassed in and slipped right out with a few taps from a punch.

Removing the cabin stairs made this job a lot easier. That step only took a few minutes and made everything so much simpler. It also provided an opportunity to remove, clean, lube and re-paint the winch.

Make sure you lubricate the turning ball/pin with some 'never-sieze' (or similar compund) when you reassemble it. Also, when you re-spool, have sombody hold as much tension on the cable as possible and spool as neatly as you can. If the loaded wrap slips under the other wraps you can have troubles lowering the keel next time.

While you're at it... has your keel cable fitting been upgraded to the new style ?

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2003 : 11:57:24

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by ClamBeach
 I'd for sure replace the hose and keel cable every time I service the keel anyway. Cheap peace of mind.
While you're at it... has your keel cable fitting been upgraded to the new style ?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You guys are right, I just need to order the new hose and cable. I will need to do it myself due to the cost. This first season with an old boat has cost many buckazoids we school teachers don't have.
I have the keel eye upgrade. I mentioned a few threads ago that my current eye was so solid that I needed advise on how to get it out. Someone said if its that tight and looks good, leave it alone. That is where I am at on the eye. Talk me into tempting the Gods when their wrath can be a twisted off eye in the keel, see if you can. I just think a Kansas boat, who's collective time on the hard equals 50% of it's life, should be respected for how good a shape she might be in.

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 11/09/2003 11:59:26

Bob Vick
Deckhand

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USA
9 Posts

Response Posted - 11/09/2003 : 21:00:06

My C-22 had the cable run on the wrong side of the turning ball making a similar cut in the keel trunk. Thank God it was not glassed on. Some guys have rounded the edge of the ball to cut down on shafing the keel cable & turning ball - I just left mine factory.

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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.