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SK cable questions

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cclark
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/28/2005 : 21:10:50

Okay, as I continue to look at my projects for this spring, my issue with the swing keel cable has reared its ugly head again and I thought I would ask for the lists' opinions.
My boat's PO had the boat in charter here locally and they maintained the boat. It is in the salt water of Puget Sound and going aground, although possible isn't a big concern. At somepoint the keel cable was disconnected and and not reattached. I have thought about replacing the winch and cable, but I don't see a good enough reason.
If the keel hanger breaks (hauled and inspected yearly), I doubt the cable and winch would hold the dropping keel. I don't have any significant reason for lifting the keel except for hauling and the possiblity of going aground.
Does anyone have a compelling reason I should reattach the cable?
Thanks again for the combined wisdom of the list.
Chris

Yam Ka '83 SK/TR #3749

Edited by - on

Dave Laux
Captain

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318 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2005 : 22:07:47

Well it makes noise when you are sailing fast. Acctually I don't know that( I have a wing keel) but I am told that this is fact.

Edited by - on

cclark
Navigator

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USA
104 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2005 : 22:30:10

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Laux
 Well it makes noise when you are sailing fast. Acctually I don't know that( I have a wing keel) but I am told that this is fact.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I've heard about the cable hum before. It's actually one of the main reasons I don't want to reattach the cable. Although, with the new stereo, I may not be able to hear it anyway.
Chris

Edited by - cclark on 03/01/2005 00:45:42

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2005 : 00:49:14

I like the cable hum...it's evidence that you're making fast through the water.

Steve

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Dave Laux
Captain

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318 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2005 : 07:37:25

You could be somewhat more at risk from the keel housing and then dropping unrestrained and damaging the trunk and pivot. I believe the cable is supposed to be snugged up a little to help prevent that when the keel is down. It might pay to think about fastening it down if you don't see any reason to raise it. Dave

Edited by - on

ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2005 : 10:08:21

Question: Why give up the ability to reduce your draft by over two and a half feet, and possibly reduce your danger of structural damage in a grounding, because of "keel hum", which many people seem to be able to reduce or eliminate? I am no fan of swingers (tho I have one) but if you now do annual maintenance on the keel hanger assembly, it seems to me that the winch and cable are a (relatively) minor addition to the sweat equity--??? Fair winds, ron srsk Orion SWFL

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2005 : 11:24:27

I've edited my original response and completedly changed my original opinion.

You should be asking yourself, "What are the pros and cons of connecting the keel cable versus the pros and cons of leaving it disconnected?"

If it's connected, one of the pros is that it will help you re-float the boat if you should go aground. If it's disconnected, you won't have the convenience of the retractable keel to help you get afloat easily. You'll have to struggle at it like all the rest of us with fixed keels.

Overall, that favors connecting the cable.

So far as performance is concerned, Catalina says the boat should always be sailed with the keel fully down, and I've never seen any indication that it performs significantly better on any point of sail with the keel partially retracted. I've sailed downwind alongside a swing keel boat who alternately raised and lowered the keel, and there was no observable difference in speed either way. If there is a difference, it's not enough to be concerned about. Boat performance isn't a good reason to favor either alternative.

Keel cable hum annoys some people and others like it. I think it's a non-issue, regardless of whether or not you connect the cable. When you pluck a taut guitar string, it makes a sound, but if you take all the tension off it, it won't make a sound when you pluck it. If keel cable hum bothers you, you can stop it simply by removing the tension from the cable. If the cable is connected, you can make it hum if you want it to, or you can stop it if you want peace and quiet. Leaving yourself that option probably favors connecting the cable.

Disconnecting the cable probably prevents the winch and cable from rusting, which reduces your maintenance a little, but you lose the advantage of being able to navigate shallow water, which is a good thing.

I might be overlooking other considerations, but all the pros and cons I can think of favor connecting the cable.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 03/01/2005 11:50:57

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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.