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Author
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Topic: Keel Position Indicator (by popular demand - well 2 guys anyways)
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2short S565
Member
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posted August 05, 2004 09:35 PM
  
Ok here is pics of a keel vertical position indicator.
It is well designed, built and is accurate and repeatable.
I had nothing to do with this neat design.
My dad built it for this boat (he had it before me) when he sailed it on Lake Simco. He had to haul keel up and down a lot there.I removed it because the water is deeper here and I wanted to maximize cabin space. Here is an overall view of the actual indicator mechanism with the face plate removed.(plus I guess, some interesting background of my shop).
 Here is a closer view of the indicator with the face removed. The chain rides on another sprocket that fits on the keel lifting screw. (note spare screw with keel removal lifting cable in background);  Here is the indicating mechanism with the face plate mounted. The pointer shows vertical position of keel relative to the scale.  Basically the pointer rides on a finer thread screw. As the Keel lifting screw is turned it turns the indicator screw which has a threaded nut with a pointer. The pointer goes up/down with the keel, but on a shorter stroke due to the finer thread. The indicator mechanism housing mounts on the rear side of the fiberglass keel housing. The chain is located under the table top. This requires shimming the table up about 3/4" and installing plastic guides for the chain. The device when install is completely inclosed in teak and matched the the table. Not a simple device to make, but real cool. Fred
[This message has been edited by 2short S565 (edited August 05, 2004).] IP: 67.70.4.223 |
Shortstay
Member
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posted August 05, 2004 11:27 PM
That first picture sure does raise my keel...  Seriously, though, that looks real good... The keel indicator ain't too bad either!
IP: 198.115.167.14 |
Ken
Member
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posted August 06, 2004 10:46 AM
Nice idea! Shouldn't take too much effort to drive that sprocket & chain with a DC motor.
96 turns when cranking manually can be quite laborious sometimes. IP: 141.117.228.250 |
elmet3
Member
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posted August 06, 2004 02:15 PM
If only I could figure out a way to make the indicator smaller. Nice picture, though. IP: 67.107.33.106 |
Eric
Member
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posted August 06, 2004 07:54 PM
Ok, now you've opened another can of worms Fred  ! The indicator is pretty cool BTW!You mentioned and show a spare keel screw with keel removal lifting cable! This intrigues me! When I remove the table and keel cover from inside, I see rough unfinished fibreglass, and foam etc packed in around the keel housing. Please explain the method for removing the keel with this type of device, from inside the cabin. This is a highly advantageous way of removing the keel if need be! I thought the only way was to drop the keel out from the bottom.  Have I missed something here?? Eric IP: 130.63.85.93 |
2short S565
Member
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posted August 07, 2004 01:41 PM
The easiest way to remove the keel in my opinion is with a car hoist. I have friend that owns his own Garage with the floor mounted type like they use in muffler shops. I found that this worked real slick.
-Backed the whole boat and trailer to lift.
-Raised boat/triler with lift, so I could move trailer axel back a few inches
-Lowered keel all the way.
-Lowered trailer until keel was sitting on floor.
-Removed nuts on top end of screw
-Raised trailer so boat lifted off and above the keel and screw (need to hold keel from falling over during this process).The other way is to use that lifting cable. My dad made this up and used it once.
- move trailer axel back as required to clear keel
-lower keel to ground and remove nuts on top end of screw
-screw the coupling nut/cable onto the top end of screw. The cable wraps around a boat winch that is mounted on 2x4 frame on top of keel box.
-Raise keel off ground using the winch
-Drive trailer over a deep ditch or hole
-Lower keel out bottom of boat using the winch The installation is just reversed in both cases.
IP: 67.70.4.223 |
2short S565
Member
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posted August 07, 2004 01:43 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Ken:
Nice idea! Shouldn't take too much effort to drive that sprocket & chain with a DC motor.
96 turns when cranking manually can be quite laborious sometimes.
I believe that my dad used a battery powered drill with a socket. IP: 67.70.4.223 |
Eric
Member
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posted August 07, 2004 07:17 PM
Thanks for that great explanation Fred! The vehicle hoist is a great idea. Never thought of the one! I want to drop my keel this fall and give it a good going over. I've been contimplating a few ideas, but the two you posted weren't part of them  . More food for thought! Eric IP: 130.63.85.93 |
Dougster
Member
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posted August 12, 2004 07:39 PM
Why do you have a calender from 1997 still on the wall. Can't you afford a more current one?  IP: 65.48.236.64 |
whited
unregistered
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posted August 13, 2004 12:44 PM
They just don't make those wimmin' like they used to.IP: 142.177.156.108 |
2short S565
Member
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posted August 13, 2004 08:28 PM
quote:
Originally posted by whited:
They just don't make those wimmin' like they used to.
Well that particular one prolley doesn't look quite like that anymore. IP: 67.70.4.223 |
