TomL;
I looked a long time to find an affordable, sturdy built, well kept boat for our needs. The Southerly's were too expensive for us, there is not much of a seconds market in them yet, and the Seawards are not in the same class. There has been 3 Clearwaters for sale over the past 3 years. Sorry to say I think this one was in the best condition of the 3 and we are happy to have her.
The other two were in Fla and the PNW.
I am pretty sure the PO also changed the keel pin at least once, but I will check again. The surveyor did not check the pin, other than to look at the access location. He had no experience with swing keel boats, but the boat had been so well maintained in a yard that I relied on the sea trial to make sure it all worked well. The keel lifts with a line (that the builder indicates could lift the boat!) to a two speed winch. The keel is lead and so it takes a bit to lift it, but its not that hard, just a few minutes. One modification the PO added is a pneumatic cylinder on a separate line to keep the keel from just dropping down, it lowers slowly.
Can you tell me how to inspect the pin? I assume when the keel is fully down the pin can be removed (and replaced), is this correct? I have not identified (nor looked, yet) for a way to lock down the keel. There are a couple of inspection plates, in the trunk, that allow some access to the keel, but neither offers any indication of a method to lock it in place. Could you post some pictures (or PM me) with more details of how yours locks down. As you say there is absolutely no rattle of the keel and we have tried sailing her with the keel in different positions. The builder (I spoke briefly with Barret Holby, but it has been a long time since he built these boats) indicated that she can be sailed with the keel in any position, her performance will vary accordingly.
Denise,
Thanks, many people have commented on her good looks. Inside and out.
I hope I am up to keeping her that way. We raise the keel motoring, downwind and when entering shallow(er) marina's. Also when entering our creek in NC, as the water level can change with a prevailing wind. The Pamlico sound bottom is all soft (you have a hard time finding a rock!) so if we touch we just raise the keel some more.
Ron