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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

swing keel cleanup

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cleffe
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Initially Posted - 07/11/2007 : 15:05:10

hi everyone, i am new to the forum and purchased a 79 c-25 swing keel several months ago. giving her a complete overhaul in my backyard. i have redone most all of the boat (i.e. fixing delamination, refitting windows, resurfacing deck and hull, painting everything, ect...) i am on to the swing keel. i have ordered a new pivot bolt, and new turn ball, but have a couple of questions i thought someone may be able to help me with.
- the keel itself has old bottom paint bubbling off, mixed with rust and is generally very rough. my question is how can i clean this all up. i believe its made out of lead, which causes me to think that grinding it down to raw metal and then resurfacing may not be the safest way to go about this, yet it is what i would really like to do. any suggestions on how to go about this.
-also how tight should the pivot bolt fit into the compression fitting that goes through the keel. the bolt i removed was fairly loose, with room to wiggle around. is this normal or does this sound like the compression throughkeel fitting has worn to a larger diameter? if so any suggested fixes?

thanks for your time. clif

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/11/2007 : 19:48:59

"lead, which causes me to think that grinding it down to raw metal and then resurfacing "

The C25 swing keel is made of cast iron.

You can:

1) Get an 7" angle grinder, lots of respirators, disposable coveralls and have at it. For several days you will create a huge red rust and iron debris area. If you get the iron stain on your patio it will never go away. (Don't ask how I know this)
-or-
2) Get it sandblasted somewhere.

>"tight should the pivot bolt fit into the compression fitting that goes through the keel"

It should be a tight fit. Usually means a re-drill and bushing job.

There are quite a few threads here about overhauling a swing keel.

IMHO: If you like the boat and want to keep it, encapsulate the keel in epoxy. (The last step in cleaning, treating with rust-fixative, priming, fairing and finishing).

Edited by - on

stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 07/12/2007 : 21:36:21

My 81 was in pretty good shape when I bought it. It had many many coats of paint on the keel. There were a few spots with blistering and rust leakage, so I worked on cleaning up the breaches in the paint with an orbital sander and sandpaper then sprayed the spots with rustolem metal primer, then painted the keel with the same paint as the rest of the bottom. I filled some of the pits and craters with marine-tex. I did not attempt to remove all the paint, I just cleaned it up.
A year and a half and several haul outs later, the keel looks great. Its not the most beautiful keel, it looks a little lumpy and bumpy in spots and its probably ten pounds heavier than when it was made but I believe there is no appreciable drag due to imbalance or imperfections. This boat spends half its time in salt and half in fresh.

Edited by - stampeder on 07/12/2007 21:39:55

Bruce Baker
Captain

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USA
402 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2007 : 10:30:02

Two years ago, I had my swing keel ground down to bare steel and coated with coal tar expoxy. I can't say that this was the optimal treatment, but so far it's worked for me. I can also say that this treatment was something that an average amateur could have done.

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 07/13/2007 : 14:54:25

Stampeder... you have a lot of confidence in those lifting straps.

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Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 07/14/2007 : 12:21:11

Clif,

Here are some links to previous threads you may find helpful.

"[url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=2382"]Swing Keel Epoxy Barrier[/url]"

"[url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=6230"]Swing Keel Job - All or Nothing?[/url]"

"[url="http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=8054"]Swing Keel Pivot Hardware Notes[/url]"

Good luck with which ever method you choose.

-- Leon S.

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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.