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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Swing Keel Problem

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byh2os
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/04/2005 : 13:13:57

Thought my cable was broken, however after closer inspection the cable is fine. The part that attaches to the keel has come apart from the keel. When you feel down the keel there is a notch. How do I reattach the cable to the keel?

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2005 : 13:56:02

byh2os,

This problem has come up before (although not frequently, thankfully). Try searching the archives for "swing keel cable attach", or similar. I suggest you try a few searches with slightly different criteria to get the most thorough results. Here are a couple of examples: "[url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9790"]Swing keel Bolt Let go.[/url]", "[url="http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=8397"]The Keel Questions again[/url]."

By all means, go ahead and ask us detailed questions about your specific case. My purpose in directing you to the archives is to give you a jump start on some background info regarding this situation.

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - Leon Sisson on 09/04/2005 13:59:59

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2005 : 17:34:51

>"How do I reattach the cable to the keel?"

First you have to find out what's gone wrong.

What's left on the end of the keel cable? Is it just the swaged 'fork'? Is there a pin still in the fork? The pin with part of a broken-off fitting hanging around? Can you feel anything left of a fitting in the keel notch? (A critical question) The original style was a stud with a flat end/hole in it. If it's still there and intact, perhaps the pin failed. If you can't feel such a stud in that notch... well...

The easy part is that Catalina Direct offers an upgraded replacement part for the keel cable attachment. If you haven't purchased a Catalina Direct C25 Owners Bible yet, get one. It will answer many of your questions. Best $15 you'll spend on the boat.

The hard part is that you will very likely have to get the boat out of the water and the keel partly lowered to see what's actually happened down there. Is it simply a pin that's come out? Old fitting has unscrewed? Threads failed?... or (unfortunately) far more likely with the old style fitting, the fitting has broken off flush with the keel surface.

Edited by - on

sodonnell
1st Mate

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76 Posts

Response Posted - 09/04/2005 : 21:06:41

I just had this happen to me this season.
What an ordeal.
The bolt in the keel broke flush with the keel.

I tried to back it out and broke several tools in the effort.

I finally gave in and got one of the local yard guys to grind a "new" flat section just aft of the original bolt and drill and tap a new hole.

Seems to be working out well.

One bit of advice, the guy told me that he probably could have backed out the bolt if I hadn't tried to do it myself and apparently screwed it up.

If you are not experienced with drilling and backing a broken bolt out, it may be less work in the long run to pay someone with experience to get it done.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2005 : 00:24:30

"not experienced with drilling and backing a broken bolt out,"

Double nasty as it's a stainless bolt encased in very machinable Iron... the bit will take off at any opportunity. :>( I was sweatin' bullets when I removed my old fitting. Used plenty of never-seize putting the new one in.

Edited by - on

tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2005 : 17:12:46

I,ve had a cable pull the bolt out of the keel but never shear the bolt. The only unit to shear in my memory is the old eye bolt cable attachment. They were famous for doing so and were replaced with the updated version which was a 1/2" ss bolt with a pin welded on to keep it from unscrewing from the keel. I had such an updated version and it pulled out of the keel. Seems the threads in the keel were eroded
and the 1" long bolt lost its purchase. Never had a cable break though.

Val on Calista # 3936 s/Wing

Edited by - on

byh2os
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2005 : 11:47:00

Thanks everybody. At the end of the cable there is a stainless steel flange. It looks like it was "U" shaped. Now one side is broken off. I'm wondering if that is where the bolt is supposed to go? Also does the bolt go all the way through the keel? These may sound like dumb questions but the boat is still in the water. No Trailor. I'm reciving help from some of the members of the yacht club but not many know me yet!

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byh2os
1st Mate

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USA
32 Posts

Response Posted - 09/06/2005 : 14:54:23

Questions answered. Thanks Leon for the archived threads. Broken bolt.

Edited by - on

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.