|
|
WWW.RLYACHTS.NET
|
RL24, RL28, and RL34 Trailable Yachts
from Rob Legg Yachts
|
RL Yacht Owner's Discussion Forum
|
Return to the Forum List Inspecting and Changing keel winch wire on RL24 | I have a lot of work to do on my RL24 Mk1, and one thing I wonder about is the keel wire. It seems galvanised wire is pretty standard, though my other swing keel boats had either rope or stainless wire to raise the centreboards.
I have had a wire fail, and a rope fail. In both cases it was at a very inconvenient time. There's also no real way to check the business end of a galvanised wire to see if it has rusted, and after comparing my old galvanised anchor chain that has lasted more than 30 years, with a new one I bought five years ago that is rusting in many places, I don't trust modern galvanising.
I've looked at the RL24 and can't see a simple way to replace or repair a broken wire or a broken shackle when on a trip somewhere, say 20 miles from the boat ramp.
Has anybody fitted their centreboard case with screw in access ports big enough to get fingers and tools into? It seems about 150mm diameter should be enough to get a hand in with tools from both sides if the boat was driven carefully into the shallows and allowed to dry out.
Just thought I should ask if anyone has done this before? or if there is any reason it could be a problem, although I can;t see that adding a waterproof port each side would make the centrecase weaker - quite the opposite I would think.
| |
| | Re: Inspecting and Changing keel winch wire on RL24 | My winch wire did break while I was sailing, it didn't cuase any real problems other than it affected the tuning a bit. The problem occurred when I was back at the marina, putting a boat on the trailer with the board down is not a lot of fun especially at low tide.
I took the boat next door to east coat marine and for $20.00 he lifted my boat off the trailer with his forklift and I fitted a new piece of spectra to the winch.
This was about 5 years ago, last year just before I sold the boat I thought I ought to replace it to be sure, this time I had a friend with a crane so I didn't have to travel to a marina. the point is the spectra was still in perfect condition and didn't need replacing! I did any way because I said I would.
Long story short,, use spectra however you do the job
Cheers Martyn
| |
| | | Re: Inspecting and Changing keel winch wire on RL24 | Thanks Bob, that is what I had in mind, except that I hadn't even considered that see through might be available. And hopefully I can estimate the position to make the holes from your photos.
I thought that if a cable breaks I can beach the boat, let the tide go out and do a quick fix. Alternatively, it could be easily done with the boat on the trailer.
Thanks again!!
| |
| | | Re: Inspecting and Changing keel winch wire on RL24 |  Hello Rob,
Pulling the boat over had occurred to me, but last time I tried that trick was with a Hartley TS18 in about 1984. We tied the bow and stern to careening poles and couldn'lt pull the thing over. I imagine the hull shape of the RL24 and the lighter ballast might make it easier.
Hi Darryn,
Sorry I've been unable to be here. I do have a trailer. It is in need of about $1000 worth of steel at the moment to repair it. I went around the bottom of the main frame and tapped holes in it with my fingers in several places :-)
| |
|
Return to the Forum List Add a message to this discussion |
|
