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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

swing keel spacer thickness

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weluvlife
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166 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/17/2005 : 14:49:16

Hi,

Just got my boat pulled. It's sitting outside the house calling me:)
Will a 1/4" plastic swing keel spacer work with all '86 boats? Is it trial and error to get the correct thickness? I'd hate to put the boat in the water, let down the keel and find out the spacers do not have enough room or end up with still too much slop.

The Keel Centering Kit that Catalina Direct sells shows three sets of different diameter spacers. Do we use three on each side?

If anyone could send a link to other photos of the keel hanger and spacers/shims..I'd really appreciate it.

Do most of you recommend the keel hangers from CAtalina Direct or from Catalina Yachts? I heard the the ones from Catalina Direct have to be machined? This is trial and error to get the right amount shaved off??

Sorry for the bombardment of questions, but I didn't turn up anything when searching the archives for "keel spacer".

Thanks,

Mark Eichman
Lake Don Pedro,CA
www.lakedonpedrosailingclub.org
'86 c25 TR, SK

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2005 : 16:06:23

Mark,<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Will a 1/4" plastic swing keel spacer work with all '86 boats? Is it trial and error to get the correct thickness?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">I'm guessing either take careful measurements, or it will be trial and error.<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The Keel Centering Kit that Catalina Direct sells shows three sets of different diameter spacers. Do we use three on each side?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Are these nylon washers for the pivot pin, or larger plexiglass disks to be attached to the sides of the head of the swing keel?

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I heard the [keel hangers] from Catalina Direct have to be machined? This is trial and error to get the right amount shaved off??<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">As I understand it, all new C-25 keel hangers have to be machined to fit the boat they're being installed on. Try to avoid trials and errors which involve splashing and hauling the boat and/or removing the swing keel repeatedly.

To determine how much to machine the hangers:
<ul><li>With the boat on a trailer, lower the head of the swing keel using the 3/8" all-thread method, or whatever works for you. You pretty much have to get the head of the keel low enough that you can install the unmachined keel hangers above it. But don't lower it any further than that, unless you need to for some other overlapping work. Try to keep the tip of the head of the swing keel inside the keel trunk to reduce the risk of the keel tipping over onto its side. At all times, be very aware that the swing keel weighs about 1,500 pounds!

It can squish you like a bug before you can get the second syllable of "Oh s...!!" out of your mouth!

</li>
<li>Install the unmachined keel hangers above the swing keel, and measure the distance between them.</li>
<li>Measure the thickness of the swing keel at the pivot hole.</li>
<li>Subtract the distance between the unmachined keel hangers from the thickness of the swing keel. Add back another 1/16" to 1/8" or so for axial clearance.</li>
<li>Divide that number by two. The result is the amount of metal which needs to be removed from each unmachined keel hanger. Think this through a few times. Remember, measure and calculate several times, pay to have expensive cuts made on expensive parts once!</li>
<li>While you've got the keel pivot disassembled, inspect the pivot hole in the keel for excessive wear.</li>
<li>Also carefully inspect the female threaded inserts in the hull. If any are damaged or otherwise untrustworthy, there is a factory approved procedure for replacing them. If any inserts need replacing, use the factory procedure! Don't try to wing it!</li>
<li>When you reinstall your new keel hangers (using the 3/8" all-thread method), be sure to use a torque wrench, and enough sealant on the threads to exclude all water. (I use so much sealant that I have to turn the bolts slowly to give the goo a chance to ooze out of the way, and have to clean the excess off my socket wrench.

)</li></ul>
-- Leon Sisson

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ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2005 : 22:16:36

How long are the bolts that hold the hangers on. I got the kit from CD Direct and it came with nuts and bolts about 1 3/4" long. I would have thought you would use just bolts and that they would be longer.
Ed Spengeman

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weluvlife
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166 Posts

Response Posted - 10/17/2005 : 22:21:30

Thank you very much for the detailed and clear procedure Leon! I'll let you know how it turns out.

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weluvlife
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166 Posts

Response Posted - 10/18/2005 : 17:40:46

Hi Ed,

I just pulled one of the bolts out, and it seems to be about the same length as the one you have. Not too long. I don't know what the nut is for??

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