How to survey a swing keel?

davidpm · #1 (**permalink**) 11-28-2009

I believe I know what to look for:

Keel that has water intrusion and is getting puffed out.
Connector or cable or crank corrosion
well damage.

How do you in practice check it out adequately?
If the boat is on a trailer little can be seen.
If the boat is in the water you can see how it behaves but still not see it.

Is their any option other than putting it on a lift. Since these boats are often only a few thousand, a lift could be a large percentage of the value of the boat. Any tricks of the trade?

davidpm · #2 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009

Wow this must be a trickier thing than I anticipated.
If it is on a trailer maybe it could be blocked and slid back but I doubt the owner would like that as it is a bit risky.

If they had yard bills for a repair that would be great.

klem · #3 (**permalink**) 12-01-2009

Sometimes the swing keel can be at least partially deployed on the trailer. This really depends on the trailer. If you know what you are doing, it isn't too hard to slide this size boat off of a trailer but you probably shouldn't try it before you buy it.

On all of the centerboard boats that my family has had, we have always pulled the board every few years to look at it and get some paint on it. With correctly positioning the boat on the trailer then towing the trailer up onto a set of wheel ramps, I have never had a problem dropping them out. Depending on what you are looking at, you might get lucky like this.

Ask the current owner how they inspect it. If they don't, then that is something to keep in mind. If they do, then have them show you.

davidpm · #4 (**permalink**) 12-02-2009

Quote:

Originally Posted by klem

Ask the current owner how they inspect it. If they don't, then that is something to keep in mind. If they do, then have them show you.

Duh! That's the answer. Obvious when you hear it.

Unfortunately so many owners play dumb. Not my boat. My uncle had it etc.
Broker will know nothing if a brokered boat.
But great idea if the real owner is available.

I like the show me part. I don't trust anything sellers say. I went to see one boat where the for deck was so soft it deflected an inch walking on it. He said he never noticed when I brought it up.