Merit 22' Hull #335

Merit 22's have a 600lb dagger board which can't be retracted completely. I've changed out the original tripple pully hand winch system in favor of an electric winch and a set of Ronstan double pullys capable of 1200lbs each.

I bought this Merit 22' in May 2006, launched it for the first time at the beginning of July. I had read at the Yahoo Merit 22' Usergroup that people had problems getting the boat centered/aligned to the trailer upon recovery in lakes where the water wasn't very clear.

I decided to take a couple of pre-cut 1 1/2in. PVC pipes, two s.s. coach bolts, nuts , some s.s. self tapping wood screws, and my battery powered drill and add these keel guides after launching the boat into the water for the first time.

Although the Merit 22' is now under wraps for the winter, you can clearly see the keel guides. They work a treat and I noticed that on the boat ramp they are parallel to the water surface.

Summary: Simple and effective.