Jump to content

Canting Keel Boats and their Servicing Requirements


abimbo

Recommended Posts

Hi Team,

This is just a general note from a novice in this area as we are looking at a craft with one of these things.

(i) How often should the general mechanics, i.e. keel head,pivot pins, rams etc - be checked and overall units serviced…..2, 3, or 4 years….or does this generally depend on the millage that the craft has sailed….and conditions etc. i.e. Harbour vs Blue water..?.

(ii) Should an owner be responsible for the dropping of the keel ( and also the rig) when carrying out a boat pre-purchase check as this should be part of the general maintenance…..and therefore if its rejected then they can have these matters fixed at their own cost…?

(iii) What is the most efficient helm station system for operating the hydraulic systems.

As we wouldn't want either the keel's mechanism's or the hydraulic systems to fail in the middle of no-where !

I would have thought that a prudent owner would have these items logged and maintained on a regular basis….

Any other feed back would be most appreciated.

Link to post
Share on other sites

The hydraulics themselves are remarkably reliable and simple. They need little maintenance, and what they do need is based on amount of use. The electronics controlling them can be an issue - but here you are better with one that has been used!

I would have thought slipping costs for survey are the only sellers responsibility. certainly not keel or rig removal.

Get a rigger to inspect the rig, a surveyor for hull etc, and an engineer for engine and keel systems. Try to find the last two with canting keel experience.

What type/design are you looking at?

Link to post
Share on other sites

When selling a Boat, the cost to slip the Boat is taken up by the person looking at buying. You could imagine the cost to the Owner if say ten people at different times wanted the boat slipped. The same goes for Rig inspection.

As IT said, the Hydraulics are usually pretty good. If there is a problem, you tend to know about it.o look for Oil leaks around the end of the Ram/s and Hose couplings. Also when the ram is fully extended, look for signs of wear or scuffing on the Spear. When there is a problem with a Canting Keel, it seems to be bending of the Ram spear. Inspect all Welds around the various Frame structure, depending on what you can see depending on the design. And yes the main Pin is the other thing that takes a hammering. Look for uneven wear along the Pin, and that means removing the Pin, which if you can remove it fairly easily, then there should not be any wear and the Pin will be straight. If it takes a heck of a lot of driving, you probably want a new Pin.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Abimbo, I use two be boat captain for a 50footer with a canting keel. Happy to answer any questions you have about the canting systems. They all do vary a little but use the same system ideas. Feel free to PM me if you want to discuss any thing at all!

Link to post
Share on other sites
And yes the main Pin is the other thing that takes a hammering. Look for uneven wear along the Pin, and that means removing the Pin, which if you can remove it fairly easily, then there should not be any wear and the Pin will be straight. If it takes a heck of a lot of driving, you probably want a new Pin.

 

I have worked on several different canting keel boats and never had a main pin which was 'fairly easy' to remove. Two of the boats had specialised tools to remove the pin with hydraulic jacks. Can't imagine that its something you would want to easily come out!

Link to post
Share on other sites

Hi IT and Wheels, thanks for the insight…I am aware that the potential buyer pays for the haul out and inspection/ survey costs etc - having been involved in the industry for many years and have done many thousands of miles. My real questions are related to the actual inspections and what to look for with the actual canting system and keel units them selves - being a novice with this system. In my opinion and understanding , the only way to look at the rotating systems is to drop the keel to inspect the ram connections and also the central pivot pins and also any skin blister fittings that are covering the connections, i.e. foam and glass repairs to the bottom. In doing so I also understand that the rig should also be removed to prevent the boat turning turtle in a cradle….and in doing so should this be a shared cost..or a cost that is warn by the current owner - has they would also have the benefit of the keel inspection and the rig also. If there is a problem , it also gives them a chance to fix the issues and then this cost would be taken off of the purchase price…? My other general question is how often should this operation be under taken to inspect the 'working' aspects of the keel mechanism it self…? And also should this be a consideration when applying for a Safety Certificate weather for Cat 1 or Cat 2 Offshore…?

Link to post
Share on other sites
My real questions are related to the actual inspections and what to look for with the actual canting system and keel units them selves - being a novice with this system.

 

Hi,

 

It is usually a major with most canting keel boats to pull the keel pins - rig out, fairing off, multiple travel lift lifts etc.

 

You would normally check pins etc once a year with anti fouling.

More often if doing bigger miles, or you have hit something.

 

The owner should be able tell you how often and when it was last checked and what was replaced, if there are any issues to watch out for etc.

 

Also talk to the designer and the engineer that does the maintenance.

 

Check how they look after electrolysis - different metals in the water can be a problem.

 

Plus be aware there are plenty of canting systems in boats out there that are not that great.

They can be a nightmare if not well sorted out and maintained.

 

I'd just budget on giving the keel a birthday, possibly new pins, ram service etc.

Link to post
Share on other sites

Archived

This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.

×
×
  • Create New...