Good point about not wanting the centerboard to hang on the pendant while the boat's on the trailer. I hadn't thought about that. If a person wants to support their boat completely by the trailer bunks, it would probably be best to lower the board onto the trailer to take the weight off the pendant. Of course you'd have to remember to crank it up before launching again. Gordon On 11/20/07 8:37 AM, "Nebwest2@aol.com" <Nebwest2@aol.com> wrote:
Chad,
I have noticed the same situation with Dauntless with respect to the swing keel not quite retracting all the way flush into the slot. I was concerned at first. I noticed it when the boat was hanging in mid air on a crane and we were getting ready to set her back on the trailer. Trying to crank the pendant harder with the keel winch did not result in the keel pulling up an further. About an inch of the swing keel was exposed at the aft end of the keel. Interestingly enough, when you set the boat on the trailer the swing keel went the last inch up into the slot as the boat was lowered. Pick the boat up and it came right out again. I finally decided that was must be going on is that as the swing keel is raised the pendant attachment point swings in an arc. Once the keel is almost fully retracted, that attachment point is moving forward as well as up and moves slightly ahead of the keel winch. At that point, further cranking on the winch does not result in any further lifting of the keel. When the boat is set on the trailer, there is a slight slackening of the cable as the trailer bunk under the swing keel forces the swing keel up that last little bit. That's my theory anyway! So now when the pendant gets snug I stop cranking on it. The keel is within an inch of being flush, plenty to allow me to get on the trailer. I like the fact that while trailering down the road the weight of the swing keel is actually sitting on the trailer and not bobbing on the pendant anyway.
Now, my assessment could be totally wrong.....but it makes me feel good! so what the heck! hahaha
Looks like you are doing a bang-up job. Keep up the good work.
As for me. Well Gary Hyde of the M17 Hydeaway II is visiting us right now. We've had two days of no wind...ugh! BUT the forecast is for it to start blowing today through the weekend. Hopefully we'll get some good sailing in while he's here!
Happy T-Day everyone! Sean
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