I've just bought a 2nd hand straos keel, which I'm very pleased with but the keel is ridiculously stiff in raising and lowering, so much so that I don't bother lowering the last 20 cm as it takes too much effort.
Likewise it's not possible to raise the keel whilst underway, it needs all pressure off and then takes a lot of grunt to lift.
Any ideas on how to fix or amelieorate this problem?
Hi Clinton, I too bought a second hand Stratos Keel three years ago and immediately discovered the same problem. I contacted the previous owner who stated that he'd had the problem too but could offer no reason or solution. The last time I took the boat out two years ago I didn't get the keel all the way down and ended up capsizing to full inversion, I think not getting it all the way down alters the stability of the boat. I'm thinking of trying to raise the boat on trestles to see if I can get the keel out to investigate the problem further. They're a lovely boat to sail but this problem is very disheartening. If you find a solution, please post it. Cheers Wicky
With a bit of use it has got somewhat better. I intend to put it on its side and drop it out. Maybe greasing it will work or a good clean out if it has dirt trapped. It is a tight fit so maybe just a service?
We too have this problem, in our case it is because the keel is delaminating along the centre seam. We have tried squirting in epoxy and clamping with furniture clamps which helped for a while, but I suspect we will need a new keel, which is not cheap.
We do find giving the keel a light sand and spraying with with Mr Sheen helps a bit tho.
The only time I get problems with the keel being stiff and difficult to drop/lift the problem has been with the block and tackle pulleys. I now regularly spray pulleys with holts pro-lube and since doing this the keel lifts and drops smoothly.
problem with stiffness of raising keel
Posted - 09 Jul 2012 : 10:01:23
