The Keel
Page updated 6 April 2009
Keel Problems
As noted in Description section, the keel plate on the SeaHawk is "L-shaped" and supported at the two extremities. At the forward end a substantial bolt acts as a pivot. At the aft end it is supported on a steel strop.
There has been one report on the mail list of a strop failure:
"If you've still got the original strop holding up your lifting keel you'd better check it for any signs of rust and pull it very gently. Ours looked fine, but a few years ago it suddenly broke and the keel went right round and made a hole in the hull! We had to work quite hard to stop the boat sinking before we got it to a boat yard."
However, such a disaster is clearly not guaranteed as owner, Bill Tinsley, reported that his alternate design keel handle had a problem:
"When dropped by a dull crew member the triangular handle promptly folded up and disappeared down the slot. It took a lot of fishing with welding rods to retrieve it. We now have a proper "handle" in stainless steel similar to the SeaHawk aluminum job. Drawing available if anyone needs it."
In another case, where a severe leak was found, it was assumed to have had a poor repair to its keel housing following the freeing a jammed keel. However, following the report of the cable break, it is also possible the damage was caused by the keel dropping and swinging further than the design allows. Wanting to avert this problem one owner said:
"All I need for this season is someone to tell me how I can change the keel cable, as I can't seem to extract the screw bolts to remove the old one without causing some damage. Any ideas?"
Someone replied:
"I had the same problem and simply decided that it would hold for another 20 years. I just fed cable through fitted a stainless hard eye and crimped the cable. It'll mean borrowing a riggers crimping tool which a friendly local marina would I'm sure oblige."
In the example on the right, below, the owners had additional ferrules placed on the strop to allow the keel to be partially lowered, a facility not available on the aluminium design.
Removing the Keel
A number of owners that have boats used in coastal waters have reported finding that barnacles and other fouling and corrosion were preventing them from raising and lowering their keels. The owners of Sea Holly and Core'ngrato have provided photographs and background to work on their keel plates. Another said:
"The keel was sticking a little so I jacked it up on the trailer using packings under the flats on the end of the ballast keel and under the bilge keel stubs. It worked well and after sliding out the trailer keel support board I had full access to the keel."
The last reported keel problem perhaps might more properly be considered a hull repair. Little Auk had broke its moorings and was holed on a rocky beach.