Keel advice - Forum

Venture 24
Newbie Topic Starter

2016-06-28T14:29:32Z

Has anyone any advice on these two subjects! Stopping the keel bumping when up if boat rocks and keel sticking down, motor unable to lift it until given a start with the hand pump, or running aground!

The keel has been taken out and sheaves cables and pads renewed. As a new owner all advice gratefully received

Richard de la Rue

claeyssens
Advanced Member

2016-06-28T17:42:43Z

#2

Hi Richard,

Have you put a lot of water resistant grease on the pads? Maybe the Teflon parts are more enlarged with the water.

Pascal Claeyssens

Maruli 325/27

tedsansom
Member

2016-08-01T14:04:42Z

#3

I use 'dry-lube' on Ruby rather than grease. I think this is Teflon based. I squirt it on the keel using the aerosol.

My problem was slightly different in that the keel would not reliably drop down this year (after working perfectly for some time). A few good squirts of lube and raising and lowering the keel a few times soon cured it.

The other thing to question is whether the hydraulic pump is wearing out, it must be getting on a bit. The pump pressure is adjustable and could be increased slightly. (Suggest you find a local hydraulics engineer to do it. Similar components are used on lorries, fork lifts, farm machinery, etc.)

Ted Sansom (P31/18)

vsb
Newbie

2016-08-02T13:05:07Z

#4

My motor wouldn't lift the keel after launch last year. Luckily, a fellow boater noticed/ heard me struggling with the boat back out of the water and came over. Turned out he is involved with heavy machinery for a living, and he realised the pressure release valve was lifting too early, before the hydraulics had enough pressure to lift the keel. Half a turn in on the adjuster and bingo, problem cured. He said this is quite common with older hydraulics - the spring in the valve looses tension with time and the preload needs increasing. The valve has a locknut on it and an allen key fits in the adjuster, on the hydraulic motor itself.