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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Swing Keel Work

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Cate
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199 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2006 : 09:13:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Dave Bristle
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cate
 We plan on having this boat for a long time, so in my mind it's worth the effort and cost.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
In that case, have you seriously evaluated doing the wing conversion, thereby eliminating all of this forever (as opposed to revisiting it every few years)? You might want to contact Val Bisagni (among others) to discuss that.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I would love a no maintanence keel, however where we sail it is very shallow (Barnegat Bay , NJ. Our swing keel has kept us from grounding on several occassions as well as let us go out an about while my fixed keel neighbors have to wait for high tides.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2006 : 09:59:15

The wing only draws 2" more than the fully retracted swing which means most of the time even a retracted swing draws more since most do not want to bring them all the way up. A wing is always at 2'10" so you sail in much shallower water than the swing at 5'. If you are sailing with the swing up then your ability to tack is degraded as the length of the keel keeps you from pivoting smartly. If the swing were a better idea the wing would not exist. Some say the wing is difficult to get ungrounded, If you are aground at 2'10" and can't get out of the boat and get off then you must be in very special waters that you should probably avoid to begin with.
Have a look here http://homepage.mac.com/fhopper/PhotoAlbum137.html

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 09/07/2006 10:01:48

Cate
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199 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2006 : 13:32:09

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 The wing only draws 2" more than the fully retracted swing which means most of the time even a retracted swing draws more since most do not want to bring them all the way up. A wing is always at 2'10" so you sail in much shallower water than the swing at 5'. If you are sailing with the swing up then your ability to tack is degraded as the length of the keel keeps you from pivoting smartly.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

This is very interesting. I had no idea the wing had such a shallow draft. Indeed if we ran aground in 2'10" in the soft mud of the bay it probably wouldn't be a big deal to motor our way out. Hmm. Very interesting. And thanks for the photos of your retrofit.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2006 : 14:33:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Cate
 Hmm. Very interesting. And thanks for the photos of your retrofit.
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I'm pretty sure Frank's boat is an '89. By then, Catalina had replaced the swing with the wing and taken the swinger off the list. The retrofit keel is just about identical.

The wing was virtually the same to launch and retrieve from a trailer, and eliminated the issues of moving parts in salt water. Several people in this group have retrofitted--the one that comes to mind is Val Bisagni, who you could e-mail from the Members Directory to learn more about the costs, etc. (...if he doesn't jump in here.)

I think most have arranged to have Catalina load the keel on a truck with a new boat, minimizing the shipping cost. The retro keel is designed to fit into the swing keel trunk--then I guess it involves some bolts and lots of 5200. It isn't cheap, but if you're convinced you'll keep the boat for a number of years, think of the costs and hassle you'll be eliminating. And I have to believe it will add something to the resale value.

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2006 : 14:42:48

Mine is stock but the retro-fit kit is available.

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Cate
Navigator

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199 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2006 : 10:46:19

Having looked at the swing to wing conversion in tech tips I know this would be way out of my league for a project. Drilling 3/4 inch bolt holes through my hull in new places is just one of many tasks I would not do without a professional. I think I will stay with inspecting and maintaining my swing keel over the next few years and by that time I may be able to upgrade to an 1989 model. In the long run I think it will be more cost effective to spend my boat $$ on a newer boat than upgrade a 1983. I am not certain I would make my money back on a wing keel conversion in resale. If I have to replace a bunch of swing keel parts this winter I'm looking at no more than $250 and a project I can do with my sailing buddies/consultants.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2006 : 12:18:56

A very rational decision and the same one most of us make, I sold my 82 swing and bought an 89 wing.

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djn
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1561 Posts

Response Posted - 09/08/2006 : 12:32:00

I just talked to CD about this and there price for the wing keel is over $2,500 and then you add shipping on that, and even if I did the work myself, I would be over 3k and for a beatup 1977, that is not cost effective. Cheers.

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