Association Forum - Keel Winch Replacement on water

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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Keel Winch Replacement on water

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jackfuller
1st Mate

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USA
29 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/23/2004 : 19:34:43

I'm about to replace the keel winch. I usually don't have 5' of water at our dock. Can I just lower the keel as far as it will go and let it rest on the bottom(soft mud) and do the job. Have about 18" of tide. How long does the job usually take - winch and ball on '79 C25?
Thanks,
Jack

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lcharlot
Master Marine Consultant

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Antigua and Barbuda
1301 Posts

Response Posted - 07/23/2004 : 20:25:11

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jackfuller
 How long does the job usually take - winch and ball on '79 C25?
Thanks,
Jack
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

You CAN NOT replace the turning ball with the boat in the water!!!!! To get at the turning ball, you have to remove the cable hose, which obviously can't be done unless the boat is on dry land, as the normal waterline is about halfway up that hose. If you were to pop that hose with the boat in the water, you would likely flood and sink the boat, unless you could very quickly get the hose and clamp back on the bronze to-hull nipple, while water is roaring up through the fitting. You can replace the winch and cable with the boat in the water, but, because of the swaged fitting on the keel end of the cable, it can only be strung through the turning ball by pushing it up from below. So, you will need a scuba diver for that part. Likewise, the old cable can only be dropped through the turning ball from above (unless you just cut it with a saw or cable cutter), so again you need a diver to catch the old cable as it drops out of the boat. The job is easiest done with the boat supported on stands and the keel dropped enough to expose the fitting. If you have to do the job in the water, the correct order is to first unwind and release the old cable and let it drop out, and have the diver uncouple the old cable from the keel fitting and retrieve it. Then replace the winch. Then have your diver push the new cable up through the turning ball and hose, and attach the cable swage fitting to the keel fitting. Then you fasten the new cable to the winch, and test for correct function.

But keep in mind that a new hose, new clamps, and a new turning ball should be considered as an integral part of your keel cable maintenance schedule, because if the turning ball is getting "sticky", it can seize up, and the cable will saw right through it, after which it will start sawing right through the fiberglass boat hull! And since you can only replace the hose and ball with the boat "on the hard", you might as well do the whole job at your next haulout, unless the cable is starting to fray and has a bunch of broken strands, which would signal you to do an "emergency" replacement, immediately, and leave the hose and turning ball for another day.