Hi, I am the new owner of Sunshine a 325 - which i keep in Fowey/Polruan. THis summer, we are having big problems raising the keel ,which is done by a 4 to 1 pulley arrangements led through blocks to the winch in the cabin roof. It is so heavy to lift that one does not eant to use it!

Can anyone suggest a solution? We could think of more pulleys to gove 8 to 1 or 16 to one, an bigger and.or two gear winch, an electric winch or whatever. Hydraulics sond interesting but might need a new keel perhaps?

We are new to this boat, so any ideas gratefulyl received. Thanks tony Berkeley

sounds unusual as my understanding is that 325/335 and I beleive 31 all normally have their wing keel lifted by an electrically driven hydraulic pump operated by push buttons in the cockpit - I think from memory there are some postings in the 325/335 space in the forum about the keel lifting system - good luck

Tony, I hate to disappoint you but I'm pretty sure Sunshine's a 235 not a 325 - at least she was when Mr Sykes owned her!

If so, there's a longish thread about the keel blocks etc. here: keel-raising-blocks-etc 

Stupid typo on my part. I start again. Sorry all! Tony