Tim Owen
I feel I ought to inspect/replace the pivot of my Sonata lifting keel this winter but the keel is well sealed and antifouled and there is no sign of where the pivot is – there are a couple of circular marks that are obviously not the keel pivot. Can anyone give me the measurement from the bottom and from the front edge so I don’t have to strip off too much to find it? I’ve seen the stainless modification in the hints and tips section, but what is the ‘normal’ pivot made of? Stainless steel and cast iron can give electrolytic corrosion – the cast iron eroding, so I’m tempted to use a strong plastic – Delrin or PPS, perhaps with an insulated stainless cap screw throught the middle. If anyone else is about to do the same, maybe I can get several pivots made? Any info would be welcome!
Tim
Paddy Cleary
Hi TimI have a lift keel Duette. The pin is a plastic of some sort and now unavailable from Hunter. I am pretty sure its 25mm but have the measurements at home. I may also be able to send you a picture of our keel in situ for info. I would definetely me interested in pin or two if they are not to expensive. I managed to get mine out without much damage earlier this year and reused it. They just drift in but are very tight. I’ll try and send you a pic if you email me on kppf@bas.ac.uk. Feel free to call me over the weekend on 01954 270598 if you want to discuss it any further.
Best Wishes Keiron
i also have a lifting keel and would like to find the pivot point any help paddy
Tim Owen
I’ll sort out a suitable design when I’ve got mine out, bearing in mind the design/comments in the hints and tips section of this BB. Any advice or comments welcome. I am doing marine engineering & design jobs for clients, so I can get a batch made at sensible cost, and I’ll try to come up with something better than nylon. Just email me at timowen@carrack.co.uk if you might be interested and I’ll keep you posted – the more I get made the lower the price! I’ll also try to keep a few in stock. Probably take me a couple of months to get them finished – ideal for Christmas presents!
Tim
Rob Garner
I feel I ought to inspect/replace the pivot of my Sonata lifting keel this winter but the keel is well sealed and antifouled and there is no sign of where the pivot is – there are a couple of circular marks that are obviously not the keel pivot. Can anyone give me the measurement from the bottom and from the front edge so I don’t have to strip off too much to find it? I’ve seen the stainless modification in the hints and tips section, but what is the ‘normal’ pivot made of? Stainless steel and cast iron can give electrolytic corrosion – the cast iron eroding, so I’m tempted to use a strong plastic – Delrin or PPS, perhaps with an insulated stainless cap screw throught the middle. If anyone else is about to do the same, maybe I can get several pivots made? Any info would be welcome!Tim
Tim – I measured those dimensions for you, and I make it 228mm vertically from the bottom edge, and 440mm horizontally from the front edge. My pivot pin is a white coloured high density plastic/nylon, with no metal at all, so no corrosion issues.
Rob
Tim Owen
Thanks Rob. I’ll have a go when I get back. I have seen stories about pivots wearing and keels dropping out – is this what happens and why people service them, or is it to get at the keels to protect them?
I wouldn’t expect white nylon to be the best material now, although if it has to be bashed to fit tightly into a hole that is not accurately sized its softness might be an (its only) advantage. Nylon swells and shrinks as it wets and dries and suffers from long term creep. Anyway, I’ll have a go at getting something better made.
Tim
Tim Owen
I just took my keel out – the pin was nylon, 0.90in in diameter (23mm) and came out very easily. It was 117mm long. leaving a gap of about 10mm at each end that was bunged up with resin. There was only very slight wear on it from the keel plate, but it has only been in the water for a few months over the last two years.
I’ll get some 25mm delrin rod and skim most of it to be a good fit, leaving a plug at the end to be bashed in.
Since I have to get a couple of meters of rod, I’ll make up spares for anyone who wants them. I’ll see how it goes and what the postage will be, then post the price.
Tim
Rob Garner
Incidentally, I find that in removing/inserting the pivot pin, it has to go in from, and come out on, the starboard side. (ie hit from the port side of the keel to hammer it out.) Might just save that little bit of hassle…. Rob.
Keiron Fraser
Hi Tim
I have a lift keel Duette. The pin is a plastic of some sort and now unavailable from Hunter. I am pretty sure its 25mm but have the measurements at home. I may also be able to send you a picture of our keel in situ for info. I would definetely me interested in pin or two if they are not to expensive. I managed to get mine out without much damage earlier this year and reused it. They just drift in but are very tight. I’ll try and send you a pic if you email me on kppf@bas.ac.uk. Feel free to call me over the weekend on 01954 270598 if you want to discuss it any further.
Best Wishes Keiron