Grounding a P15k?!

[Tollerowner]

Today I went from my mooring to my dock on my trolling motor.  The wind kicked up horribly and overpowered my trolling motor.  I managed to get to a neighbor's dock until the wind died down, but not before hitting rocks on the lake bottom a few times.  (the lake is a good foot below normal and apparently it is shallower by his dock than it is by mine)

It is floating at a normal level now, so it is not taking on water; but I am concerned about damaging the keel.    Any knowledgeable comments would be appreciated.

[Charles Brennan]

Tollerowner, I can't speak to the condition of the keel, but I did run a trolling motor on an 18-foot Windrose, (heavier than your boat) for three years.  One of the things I learned was that you can tack a keel, in adverse currents and adverse winds, just like you can tack a sail. 

Bernoulli's Principle works underwater, as good as it does above the water, with wind.

If, for example, you have the wind hard on your nose and directly from where you want to go to, you can tack at 45º and the lateral resistance of the keel and the hull, will help make some way on, towards your desired course.  It will take longer, just like tacking into the wind under sail will take longer, but you WILL be able to get there, without being over-powered.  To change tacks, you have to execute the sail equivalent of a "chicken gybe" by turning out of the wind. Trying to turn into the wind, will stall you dead, as you discovered today. 

Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan

[Straander]

Today I went from my mooring to my dock on my trolling motor.  The wind kicked up horribly and overpowered my trolling motor.  I managed to get to a neighbor's dock until the wind died down, but not before hitting rocks on the lake bottom a few times.  (the lake is a good foot below normal and apparently it is shallower by his dock than it is by mine)

It is floating at a normal level now, so it is not taking on water; but I am concerned about damaging the keel.    Any knowledgeable comments would be appreciated.

Hello Tollerowner. I havent seen a P15 before but looking at sailboatdata, it looks like there's 2 versions; one with a centerboard and one with a fixed keel.

Assuming you have the P15 K (Since you didnt have the centerboard raised) it looks like the exact same keep setup as my P165; a fiberglass fin with a lead bulb on the bottom covered in paint. If that's the case I wouldnt be too worried. I have put several good dents in my keel bulb from rock strikes and the lead just deforms where it hits and will need to be smoothed out or filled in and repainted eventually. I'd definitely inspect it the next time you have it on a trailer.

[Tollerowner]

Hello Tollerowner. I havent seen a P15 before but looking at sailboatdata, it looks like there's 2 versions; one with a centerboard and one with a fixed keel.

Assuming you have the P15 K (Since you didnt have the centerboard raised) it looks like the exact same keep setup as my P165; a fiberglass fin with a lead bulb on the bottom covered in paint. If that's the case I wouldnt be too worried. I have put several good dents in my keel bulb from rock strikes and the lead just deforms where it hits and will need to be smoothed out or filled in and repainted eventually. I'd definitely inspect it the next time you have it on a trailer.
[/quote]

Yes, it is pretty much the same as the P165.  You've made me feel much better.

[Brian N.]

Great reminder Charles B. about how to deal with a strong wind while motoring! The one negative might be taking a wave broadside.

It should be easy to inspect the bilge for water and take a look at the two keel bolts. I would pull the boat onto the trailer and look for any hairline cracks. IMHO, unless you had some real speed underway, your boat is probably fine.

[Tollerowner]

It should be easy to inspect the bilge for water and take a look at the two keel bolts. I would pull the boat onto the trailer and look for any hairline cracks. IMHO, unless you had some real speed underway, your boat is probably fine.

No water in the bilge.  I was barely moving; mainly bobbing in the waves.

[tjspiel]

Tollerowner, I can't speak to the condition of the keel, but I did run a trolling motor on an 18-foot Windrose, (heavier than your boat) for three years.  One of the things I learned was that you can tack a keel, in adverse currents and adverse winds, just like you can tack a sail. 

Bernoulli's Principle works underwater, as good as it does above the water, with wind.

If, for example, you have the wind hard on your nose and directly from where you want to go to, you can tack at 45º and the lateral resistance of the keel and the hull, will help make some way on, towards your desired course.  It will take longer, just like tacking into the wind under sail will take longer, but you WILL be able to get there, without being over-powered.  To change tacks, you have to execute the sail equivalent of a "chicken gybe" by turning out of the wind. Trying to turn into the wind, will stall you dead, as you discovered today. 

Hope this helps,
Charles Brennan

That's excellent advice. I use a trolling motor as well.