Hit a rock today...

[Steve Weiss]

Oops. Not paying enough attention to what was going on (obviously) and I hit a submerged rock. I wasn't going very fast, maybe 3 knots. There was a bang and the boat came to a complete stop, fortunately I was able to fall off the wind and sail away without any further problem. I'm wondering if I should have the keel checked, or just wait a few weeks until we haul for the winter. There was no grinding or scraping, just one sudden bump. How likely is it that I damaged my keel?

[Stu Jackson]

Steve, I did the same thing a few months ago.  So far, not an issue, I'll look for the gouge the next time I'm out.

[Lance Jones]

If you are 100%  sure that the keel was the only thing to strike, at the minimum, I'd check the bilge for any additional water and look at the keel bolts. If the water is warm enough, don your mask and snorkel and do a check of the entire bottom.

[Steve Weiss]

Steve, I did the same thing a few months ago.  So far, not an issue, I'll look for the gouge the next time I'm out.

Stu, nice to know I'm not the only one prone to the occasional bone-headed move. Having your chart right there in the cockpit is good, actually looking at it is even better.

[Steve Weiss]

If you are 100%  sure that the keel was the only thing to strike, at the minimum, I'd check the bilge for any additional water and look at the keel bolts. If the water is warm enough, don your mask and snorkel and do a check of the entire bottom.

I'm as sure as I can be without actually seeing it.  Like I said, there was just one sound, no grinding or scraping and an immediate stop, I think I even bounced back a little. I will check the bilge and keel bolts. The water in Maine is getting a bit cold, so a check of the bottom will have to wait until hauling probably.

[Stu Jackson]

Steve, I did the same thing a few months ago.  So far, not an issue, I'll look for the gouge the next time I'm out.

Stu, nice to know I'm not the only one prone to the occasional bone-headed move. Having your chart right there in the cockpit is good, actually looking at it is even better.

Steve, you guys have a lot more rocks than we do.  I was furling my main in an area I'd been in over hundreds of times.  Just got too close to land, turned the boat to head out and whack!  Yeah, the chart showed the rock and when I did the tide height conversion I knew I'd just kissed the top of it.  I'd just never been in that particular spot before.  Never again...

[Gary]

Can't resist sharing the Maine coastal saying " There are two kinds of sailors. Those that have hit rocks, and those that won't tell you they have hit rocks"

I think I am in the latter category.  

Gary

[Steve Weiss]

Stu - normally when I go out I head through a nice wide channel that takes me past all the Islands near Portland out to open water. The channel gives me room to get the sails up. But yesterday the wind was coming straight in through that channel so I took an alternate route between two of the islands. I got the sails up but of course they all have rocky ledges and while I was fooling with the autopilot, bang! That lesson should last me a lifetime.

[Steve Weiss]

Can't resist sharing the Maine coastal saying " There are two kinds of sailors. Those that have hit rocks, and those that won't tell you they have hit rocks"

I fall in the latter category.

Gary

I'm not proud... 

[Ron Hill]

Steve : If you don't have water entering the bilge and you have normal steerage, I'd plan on seeing a big dent/gouge when you pull out in a few weeks.  

As mentioned, if your curiosity gets the best of you and you have a warm wet suit, go down and take a look!  

a few thoughts

[Steve Weiss]

Steve : If you don't have water entering the bilge and you have normal steerage, I plan on seeing a big dent/gouge when you pull out in a few weeks. 

As mentioned, if your curiosity gets the best of you and you have a warm wet suit, go down and take a look! 

a few thoughts

Ron - if I don't have water entering the bilge I'll be ok with a dent/gouge. I don't have a wetsuit (yet) so my curiosity isn't likely to win this time.

[stevewitt1]

Steve

If you don't do it on a regular basis, I believe the manual calls for checking the torque of the keel bolts after any grounding/strike.  So that might be a nice thing to do.

Sort of like GoldWing riders.  There are two kinds, Those that will admit they've accidently had their bike lay over on the roll bar and the liars.

Steve

[Steve Weiss]

Steve

If you don't do it on a regular basis, I believe the manual calls for checking the torque of the keel boats after any grounding/strike.  So that might be a nice thing to do.

Sort of like GoldWing riders.  There are two kinds, Those that will admit they've accidently had their bike lay over on the roll bar and the liars.

Steve

Steve- thanks. I'll definitely check that.

[Ron Hill]

Steve ; The torque rating for the keel bolt nuts is 107 ft/lbs - incase you didn't know.

[Steve Weiss]

Steve ; The torque rating for the keel bolt nuts is 107 ft/lbs - incase you didn't know.

I didn't know... thanks Ron.