I have a 26 x, Maggie Jane that has a modified keel by the previous owner.
We did detach the Keel on the 21St anniversary cruise out of Felixstowe due to a tired pivot mechanism,
My Brother made a new fulcrum with a much longer bolt through the hull so that it is easier to drop down for maintenance .
The modified Keel did have some lead shot in the base but I was never happy with the construction of the keel itself.
This summer I have been down in the Solent again at mercury on the Hamble, had some great sailing weekends but to cut a story short, ended up breaking the Keel off during a storm/ engine failure in southampton water.
In hindsight , the Keel probably saved the boat as it was a falling tide and had I retracted it,the whole boat would have bottomed out and made it impossible to be towed off. The keel snapped off at the fulcrum, craked halfway down and I lost about 6 inches at the bottom that contained the lead shot. I was able to retrieve the keel with a boat hook this weekend and can see that where it has broken , is partly down to previous repairs and modifications .
Looks like I need a new one this time rather than do another fix.
Maybe I should use the same company as you on the IOW. If it is performing well?
Regards
Rob
Well the boats new keel gives much greater performance and 'Lonach' come up into wind betteralthough I also now have a new mast by Zspars after a demasting incident on 8th June 2014.
After deliberation Yachtline agreed that the forestay pin had failed under load and this was a peril of the sea - phew relieved and the new mast is terrific.
Thought I should just add that I am sympathetic to Colin's position - nobody likes being let down by a supplier and being caught in the middle.
Its a real pity that the supplier didn't honour the contract and that is the real issue not of Colin's making.
I have spoken to Colin at the AGM without any animosity understanding each others position - less than ideal but having waited so long an alternative supplier was sourced.
I wish Colin well and hope he has more success with other projects / ventures etc....
Lonach is back on the water after having had her bottom cleaned and repaired with new filler (orbital sanding down is hard work), new undercoat and antifoul, rudders repaired, crack in stem on bow repaired and gelcoat all made good. Electrics sorted and engine starts (I can hear some of you chuckling!).
She is now ready for events and passages - looking forward to Fishguard Gig.
I thought as the Vice Commodore the boat needed to be brought up to an acceptable standard / appearance.
RICHARD G :D
Just to say after replacing the keel and having a new mast the handling is a lot stiffer and responsive and the boat actually comes up to wind much better than with the standard rig.
The keel has made the boat more positive and responsive in the water and the improve handling at low speed is a real bonus.
Richard,
How is the new Keel fairing?
I have a 26 x, Maggie Jane that has a modified keel by the previous owner.
We did detach the Keel on the 21St anniversary cruise out of Felixstowe due to a tired pivot mechanism,
My Brother made a new fulcrum with a much longer bolt through the hull so that it is easier to drop down for maintenance .
The modified Keel did have some lead shot in the base but I was never happy with the construction of the keel itself.
This summer I have been down in the Solent again at mercury on the Hamble, had some great sailing weekends but to cut a story short, ended up breaking the Keel off during a storm/ engine failure in southampton water.
In hindsight , the Keel probably saved the boat as it was a falling tide and had I retracted it,the whole boat would have bottomed out and made it impossible to be towed off. The keel snapped off at the fulcrum, craked halfway down and I lost about 6 inches at the bottom that contained the lead shot. I was able to retrieve the keel with a boat hook this weekend and can see that where it has broken , is partly down to previous repairs and modifications .
Looks like I need a new one this time rather than do another fix.
Maybe I should use the same company as you on the IOW. If it is performing well?
Regards
Rob
Well the boats new keel gives much greater performance and 'Lonach' come up into wind betteralthough I also now have a new mast by Zspars after a demasting incident on 8th June 2014.
After deliberation Yachtline agreed that the forestay pin had failed under load and this was a peril of the sea - phew relieved and the new mast is terrific.
Thought I should just add that I am sympathetic to Colin's position - nobody likes being let down by a supplier and being caught in the middle.
Its a real pity that the supplier didn't honour the contract and that is the real issue not of Colin's making.
I have spoken to Colin at the AGM without any animosity understanding each others position - less than ideal but having waited so long an alternative supplier was sourced.
I wish Colin well and hope he has more success with other projects / ventures etc....
Lonach is back on the water after having had her bottom cleaned and repaired with new filler (orbital sanding down is hard work), new undercoat and antifoul, rudders repaired, crack in stem on bow repaired and gelcoat all made good. Electrics sorted and engine starts (I can hear some of you chuckling!).
She is now ready for events and passages - looking forward to Fishguard Gig.
I thought as the Vice Commodore the boat needed to be brought up to an acceptable standard / appearance.
RICHARD G :D
Just to say after replacing the keel and having a new mast the handling is a lot stiffer and responsive and the boat actually comes up to wind much better than with the standard rig.
The keel has made the boat more positive and responsive in the water and the improve handling at low speed is a real bonus.
Richard
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