Keeping inflatable keel straight.

[Chris A]

Hi guys.

Probably a stupid question but for the life of me I can't seem to keep the inflatable keel straight/centre from bow to stern. I have a Seapro 430HD with alloy deck.

When having the stern end aligned I struggle to get the valve on the bow centre to the cut out in the alloy deck. When one lifts the sib it's also not running straight from bow to stern.

This is most probably just my in-experience but thought I'll ask if there's an easy solution.

Thanks.

[Nos4r2]

Is it not glued in?

[Chris A]

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

Is it not glued in?

It's attach near the bow and again at the stern...

[Fenlander]

Chris.

All the low pressure inflatable keels I've had in SIBs have been attached like yours at bow and stern only... and they have all settled nicely in a straight line once inflated.

Have you tried inflating it without the floor in to see what it looks like? I can only think if it is inflating off centre it must have an attachment one or other end in the wrong place so it is effectively too long (if that makes sense) so inflates in a curve.

[Chris A]

Originally Posted by Fenlander

Chris.

All the low pressure inflatable keels I've had in SIBs have been attached like yours at bow and stern only... and they have all settled nicely in a straight line once inflated.

Have you tried inflating it without the floor in to see what it looks like? I can only think if it is inflating off centre it must have an attachment one or other end in the wrong place so it is effectively too long (if that makes sense) so inflates in a curve.

That makes sense. It's inflated at the moment but will inflate the keel without the floor tomorrow and do as you suggested. Will report back. Thanks

[dave3235]

Hi I have a honwave 3.5, I noticed I was having the same problem.I used a bit of soap and partialy inflate the outer tubes to about 3/4 presure then inflate the keel seemed to centralize things

[Locozodiac]

Keel tips.-

Before inflating keel, raise bow and align air valve in middle wooden floorboard hole, spray soappy water liberally under front round keeel portion to accommodate it better under front floorboards. Pump to min 3.0 PSI with bow up if possible.

Being myself a sibber maniac ended drilling a small hole at the extreme end portion of keel, passed a small thin cord that exit through rear transom's floorboard cut, rear keel was previously tempered and cord tied to inner metal groove on engine plate. This kept my keel always bow to transom centralized.

Note, not all keels have extreme flat endings to be drilled and insert a thin cord...

Happy Boating

[dave3235]

Thanks for that tip preety sure mine has a flap, lifting the front and would help no end thanks again!! Will add the mode the weekend

[lockieboi]

I've never really had a problem keeping my keel straight when inflating.

Lucozodiac says about lifting the bow when inflating the keel, maybe this is the answer. I always place the fuel tank under the bow before inflating the keel.

Maybe worth a try.

[Locozodiac]

If you need to inflate/deflate sib constantly at a beach, lake, pond, whatever. You could spray a liberal amount of soappy water all around floor fabric and under keel. Include side stringers, joinners cuts, will slide at a snap onto floorboards sides.

Soappy water will help to slide all floorboards nicely inside lower fabric, once correctly positioned, align keel valve. The issue of inflating with bow up (someone could lift bow up using front handle) is for keel to find its way under assembled floorboards as opposed having all floorboards compressing the keel downwards.

Alternatively you could inflate keel once sib is floating with hand or foot pump, that will depend if lightly or heavily cargo loaded.

Try any of the tips and check which suits you well, all have worked ok for me.

Happy Boating

[Chris A]

Some good tips there, thanks. Will give it a try.

[jdurban]

Really useful tips! Thanks everybody

[dave3235]

[QUOTE=Chris A;615045]Hi guys.

Probably a stupid question but for the life of me I can't seem to keep the inflatable keel straight/centre from bow to stern. I have a Seapro 430HD with alloy deck.

When having the stern end aligned I struggle to get the valve on the bow centre to the cut out in the alloy deck. When one lifts the sib it's also not running straight from bow to stern.

This is most probably just my in-experience but thought I'll ask if there's an easy solution.

Thanks.[/QUOTE

Ican vouch for soapy water and lifting the bow, WORKS A TREAT

[Locozodiac]

Dave,

That's a long keel. Check if you can drill a small hole at keel's end and secure a small rope and tie it to inner engine plate while you temper it.

Happy Boating