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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 General Sailing Forum
 Are lead and iron keels the same size?		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/21/2005 :  14:27:31  Show Profile
I ask this question because I have never heard of any size discrepancy between keels on the newer lead keel boats as opposed to the older boats with cast iron keels. Yet lead is 1.48 times heavier then cast iron. So if my cast iron keel weighs about a ton shouldn't the lead keels weigh about 3,000 lbs? If they are the same size is there a construction difference to compensate?
Joe Wergers
Utopia
Fleet 7/Oceanside, CA
78 C25 FK/SR #381
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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts
Response Posted - 10/21/2005 :  14:42:58  Show Profile  Visit Frank Hopper's Homepage
One excellent question!! Is the difference that the leads are glass encased so the lead core is only as big as it needs to be?
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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts
Response Posted - 10/22/2005 :  08:58:06  Show Profile  Visit britinusa's Homepage
How would we know if we have a lead keel?
As soon as I asked myself that question I guessed a magnet would indicate if it were iron/steel.

Tried it with a pretty strong magnet, but maybe not a strong enough magnet, no positive indication of it being iron or steel. However, our trailer is definitely steel!

So, not only how would we know? but is there any advantage?
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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts
Response Posted - 10/22/2005 :  09:35:38  Show Profile  Visit Leon Sisson's Homepage
I think the iron keels were unsheathed, while I've read the lead keels are internal. You're on the right path with the magnet idea. If you have occasion to lift the boat, past a hand held compass around the keel while the boat is up in the slings away from the steel trailer chassis. (And watch for the compass needle to be deflected while close to the keel.) Also, my iron swing keel will 'ring' when struck, even with a soft mallet. I don't think lead will resonate noticably. I would expect all the c-250s to be lead.

-- Leon Sisson
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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts
Response Posted - 10/25/2005 :  16:06:18  Show Profile
Yup--the 250s are all lead (coated in something like gelcoat).

The original question relates to the C-25, which started out with painted cast iron and then switched to glass-encased lead around 1984, I believe. The glass is pretty thick--I've seen one that had some damage. The size and shape appear identical to my eye. A simple clue (without hauling the boat) is the keel bolts and nuts--rusty ones are the mild steel used with the cast iron keel, while shiny ones are the stainless used with the lead keel.
Edited by - Dave Bristle on 10/25/2005 16:12:37
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oldsalt
Admiral

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USA
578 Posts
Response Posted - 10/26/2005 :  20:41:48  Show Profile
Lead keels with stainless bolts started in 1983.... at least on my boat. With Catalina you never know, so there may be an '83 with a cast iron keel and mild steel bolts out there somewhere.
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.