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.
If your keel raising system were to fail, does anyone have a proven way to easily raise and support keel to be able to get boat out of water for repairs? The weight of the keel is a real problem when trying to get boat out of water!
I think I read a possible way to do this is to get a long ratcheting trailer tie-down, (like the one in the link above) and starting from the bow, bring it under neath the boat like a giant jump rope. When you get to the swing keel, tighten it up, and slowly ratchet the swing keel back up. It might make sense to have a person with a swim mask under the boat (not under the keel), to make sure the strap is in a good position as the keel gets ratcheted up. I have never tried this before myself, but I think I read someone else from this forum make the suggestion. Be careful though, and best of luck with whatever solution you decide on.
It would probably take 2 stages - a loop led aft to pull the keel as far aft (and less vertical) then another loop to winch it up. Another approach is to get the trailer deep enough so that winching the boat on will force the keel up enough to strap and winch it. Access to a lift out is the best solution.
Dave B. aboard Pearl 1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399 Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle
By far, THE most important thing you do not want to happen is to try and raise the keel with a strap and have it slip releasing a partially raised, free-dropping keel. The fall would break the keel trunk and likely sink the boat.
DavidP 1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52 PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess" Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN
If you can get the trailer deep enough you can float the boat on the trailer. Its difficult, but I've been there before with a failed winch clutch. I could get mine up a little but it was mostly down. Used the trailer winch to drag the boat towards the trailer and then very slowly pulled the boat out. The boat settled on the bunks with the keel on the trailer. Took a couple of times to get it right. Having a diver attach a new cable would definitely be easier.
I wouldn't go with the strap idea for the same reasons above. If it free falls, it will be a bad day. Mine free fell after hitting rocks last year, and I ended up with a 6 week repair job. The glass stop on the keel trunk is only about 3/8" thick and doesn't do much against that much weight in free fall.
When we bought our C-25 and hauled it out for a bottom job, we used a fin keel trailer, but didn't know that I had not raised the swing keel enough to clear the back of the trailer. We got the boat out, but it took extra effort on the trailer winch to pull the boat all the way up to the bow stop. It is doable.
DavidP 1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52 PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess" Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN
As stated above if you use a sideways rope or strap with the correct lifting rate, it should be secured with a second line to keep it from slipping off when the keel starts raising. I've done this on my C22 but not a C25. Now that we are much older, I would opt for a diver if possible.
Lynn Buchanan 1988 C25 SR/WK #5777 Sailynn Nevada City, CA
Thanks for all of the advice guys and gals. Think I will go with the diver first and move on from there. I didn't think about the strap breaking, and I know that would be devastating. Don't want to add to the problems I already have!
Capt Sam, USCG Master Near Coastal Isle of Hope, GA. Charleston,SC. Lake Murray, SC. Aboard Bobbin - 1982 Standard Rig-Swing Keel #2963 Dinette Model "On a powerboat you are going somewhere....On a Sailboat you are Already There!" Capt Sam
I don't know if I would trust a diver who is not a mechanic and probably knows nothing about the lifting system of your boat..Throw in the less than perfect conditions that he would be working in like visibility,current or just dropping a part. Id take it to a marina and have it hauled. Shouldn't be a problem with the keel down if they accommodate full keel boats. Easy replacement when the boats in the slings. The cost of a diver and a short haul might be about the same.
Scott-"IMPULSE"87'C25/SR/WK/Din.#5688 Sailing out of Glen Cove,L.I Sound
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.