Keel Winding Gear
Posted: Tue May 05, 2009 7:40 pm
Hi
We got Tadpole in the water for the fist time last week and had a great couple of days sailing in and out of Salcombe. However I am just a little concerned about the winding gear for the keel.
When I lowered the keel the first 2 turns or so made several cracking sounds but she went down smooth enough from then on. The same thing happend when I wound it up, smooth as you like till the last 2 or 3 turns and the crack, crack from the keel box / winding gear.
I am wondering if the trailer has done some damage as the keel is pushed up past the fully up position as the boat comes over the lead keel roller but drops back into the down position after it is past the roller.
Can anyone tell me if the keel hangs lower than the skeg when fully up? as mine seems to be about 75mm lower.
Also I only wound the keel down 26 turns as I am not sure what happens if I keep lowering. e.g. will the screw come out of the nut or is there a stop?
I am going to get the keel box cover off tomorrow and open the inspection bung and have a look.
We got Tadpole in the water for the fist time last week and had a great couple of days sailing in and out of Salcombe. However I am just a little concerned about the winding gear for the keel.
When I lowered the keel the first 2 turns or so made several cracking sounds but she went down smooth enough from then on. The same thing happend when I wound it up, smooth as you like till the last 2 or 3 turns and the crack, crack from the keel box / winding gear.
I am wondering if the trailer has done some damage as the keel is pushed up past the fully up position as the boat comes over the lead keel roller but drops back into the down position after it is past the roller.
Can anyone tell me if the keel hangs lower than the skeg when fully up? as mine seems to be about 75mm lower.
Also I only wound the keel down 26 turns as I am not sure what happens if I keep lowering. e.g. will the screw come out of the nut or is there a stop?
I am going to get the keel box cover off tomorrow and open the inspection bung and have a look.