claeyssens
2015-12-12T18:34:46Z
This afternoon, I have lift the keel ram to change the ram anode after two years.

The boat is ashore with the keel completly in upper position after I had taken off the bottom bolt just before the crane put the boat on the ground.The upper ram pin is completly up in the roof fitting.( this part can move 5 or 6 cm).I succeed very hardly to pull out the ram head from this fitting. With the mainsail halyard I put the ram on the ground.The ram anode is not completly worn out but I was suprised because the bottom ram part with the hole ( which can be screwed) is bent. So, I suppose this part is not enough screwed and the ram is too much long.

So I would know if somebody now the exact ram lenght hole to hole (hole middle part to hole middle part), and if the upper ram pin completly up in the roof fitting is normal. The ram was made in France two years ago by copy of the old corroded one.

At the bottom bolt the threading of screw is on a very large part even in the bottom ram anode.

Waiting your answers and help.Sorry for my poor English language.

Best regards.

Pascal Claeyssens

Maruli 325/27

Stuart Tucker
2015-12-16T16:07:26Z
Hi Pascal,

If I have understood your message correctly, you removed the ram keel bolt while the boat was in the lift and then settled the boat down pushing the keel in? Therefore, the keel is now in a different position than when the ram was removed and now the ram is too long to reposition back into the boat? On the "screwed" reference, do you mean the cast end cap?

With respect to repositioning the ram following maintenance, I would recomend not altering the lenght of ram, tricky and messy, but lifting the boat up instead? I can forsee considerable problems adjusting the length of the ram and trying to refit it?

I have made up a cradle which allows me to unbolt, remove, service and restore the ram without any length adjustments. Will send you a picture.

Has any one else got any ideas for Pascal?

Best Regards,

Stuart

Pegasus 325/37