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Re: Dropped Keel

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Rab_Himself
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/09/2009 : 15:32:44

I just got a 1982 Catalina Swing Keel. During the buying process the PO dropped the keel when cranking it up for the trailor process. New to sailboats I thought it wasn't a big deal. So I bought the boat and hauled it home for fun times. Put the boat in the water and guess what? It fills up with water every 6hrs. There is one crack visible across the ridge inside my galley, and small running cracks on the bottom side of the hull, around the two brackets that I guess the keel pin sits in. Im sorry I don't really know all the boat language. The marina intends to cut out my flooring and do fiberglass repairs. Has anyone done this work? Can it be repaired to a solid boat? I have pictures, I can post if thats possible. Any advice would be great. -Aaron

Thanks for all the advice from everyone! The PO's insurance is taking care of me! Life is good. The boat is going up on the stands tommorrow. I'm trying to post pics of the inside damage. If these don't work Im posting the flickr addy also. Addy: http://www.flickr.com/photos/37610513@N04/

Edited by - Rab_Himself on 04/20/2009 23:37:49

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 15:53:12

Please post photos, read how elsewhere. What did you pay? The boat he delivered is not the boat you shook hands on, you might want to sue him to refund your money. Keels don't just drop, they only drop on a poorly maintained boat. It sounds like you do not have the right kind of wench inside your boat to raise the keel, they do not simply release, you have to crank them down. You probably have more problems ahead. I would question your standing rigging and gudgeons.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 15:54:43

Unfortunately, you have discovered the consequences of the biggest risk of the swing keel. 1500 lbs crashing down on that fiberglass and the fiberglass loses. It's the single reason I did not purchase a swinger.

The good news is, that this repair has been done before and those that have done it will chime in soon. It really becomes a matter of cost. I think I'd be talking to the PO about at least sharing the cost here.

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 16:04:59

Yes, please post pics. By galley, do you mean the table and bench area? RE: boat language, the galley is the kitchen area, which on our boats is beside the cockpit ladder. What interior do you have, dinette (table on the port {left} side with 2 short bench seats) or traditional (2 bench seats running lengthwise and a drop down table secured to the bulkhead {forward wall})? Hopefully it is the traditional, because the cracks may be easier to reach. You will need fiberglass repairs. Also, you should consider replacing the keel cable and the hardware connecting the cable to the keel.
I had a hairline crack on my keel trunk (where the keel pivots) and a guy was able to fix it from inside the boat without any damage to the floor. Sounds like your problem is much more involved.

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Rab_Himself
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 16:19:08

I have the traditional interior (two bench seats), and yes the crack is in the area where the table leg goes down, under the wood panel. I can't seem to figure out the pic posting procedure. Could I email it to someone so they could post it here for me? -Aaron

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 18:14:42

A photo must be "hosted" on the internet. Your computer does not count. Once a photo is hosted someplace it will have a unique and specific URL. We paste that actual jpg URL into the "paste image field". I always just type it out rather than use the image button dialog box, but using the image button is a nice way to do it.

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 20:48:25

Aaron,
You may want to ask around the local marina to find folks who own a swing keel. Besides receiving helpful information from this site, you may find that another boat owner of a swing keel has already gone through the experience of repairing damage caused by a keel dropping.

May I suggest having someone estimate the cost to repair the damage, and then negotiate with the seller to have the work done?

Good luck to you.

Deric

Edited by - on

Ed Cassidy
Captain

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USA
365 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 21:19:32

If you got in it cheap enough, you might consider the wing keel upgrade. Look in the tech area for some fantastic instructions.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 21:44:34

I would definately talk to the seller. If he is not responsive, get an attorney. My attorney son says you have recourse, probably to the extent of a refund or full repairs. And after that, a swinger is a viable design but requires periodic checks and maintainance.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 21:59:43

Look at the Testing forum for detailed instructions on posting pictures--as Frank says, it's not exactly "direct", but it isn't a huge deal.

I wouldn't blame the wench below--she probably didn't have a clue... But the keel winch could be at issue. (Sorry, Frank!

)

I agree that your seller is culpable on this--it sounds like he's so much as admitted that. Even "as-is" should mean as-is when you see it--not as-is when it'd delivered to you. I'd call it "damaged in delivery"--very probably due to lack of proper maintenance.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 04/09/2009 22:02:28

KiteKraemer
Navigator

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191 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2009 : 20:24:08

OMG! Sounds like you may need some trunk repair as well. If you look at the tech-tips on Dragon Tail, the PO on my boat re-did the whole trunk. Check it out. He did a nice job

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2009 : 04:29:21

Roth,

Let us know how you plan to proceed, we are here to help.

Deric

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2009 : 18:47:09

With out question, if as explained, the boat was damaged during delivery. The seller is culpable...do not allow too much time to pass w/o pursuing him.

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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2009 : 07:52:33

HOORAY!

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/21/2009 : 09:15:21

Good news! (...edited into the original post.)

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pastmember
 ...Keels don't just drop, they only drop on a poorly maintained boat...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Generally true, but I recall the story of one that rode up over a log or rock or something, and then did a free-fall and cracked the trunk. If your cable is no longer attached, it's maintenance.

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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.