I came to lift the keel in order to take the boat off her mooring for winter.

It would not budge an inch.

Does anyone else have experience of this? What was the cause?

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As I have mentioned before, my keel is left suspended about halfway up/down when on the mooring and lowered when sailing. Even so, when I go to raise it, the first 2 or 3 turns are extremely difficult and only become easier as it starts to be raised.

My only suggestion, for what it is worth, is that you move into shalower water so that it gets a nudge to get started!

Anyway, good luck

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Thanks, John.

The keel lifted perfectly yesterday. Whilst the boat is out of the water we will check it very carefully.

Having it not fully down when on the mooring sounds a good idea.

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For what it is worth, I spray some silicon spray in the keel box - front and back whenever Nauti is out of the water.

if you drop anything down the slot, such as a nut, it can jamb the keel, I suppose also a pebble could do the same. I have only done this when ashore, and have either been able to poke it down or could jack up the keel so whatever was in there loosens, and either drops out or you can grab it from the top.
Jim Hamilton

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