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Converting a swing keel to a wing keel

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jiml2p
Deckhand

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USA
18 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/13/2002 : 01:41:20

I read in one of the strings of this forum a reference to a particular method that alluded to the possibility of converting a swing keel to a wing keel.

I have been pondering that statement for a while and now wondered if it was for real and if anyone had any comments or could refer me to an earlier string that described it.

Is there a feasible way to convert a swing keel to a wing keel? What are the pros and cons?

Thanks,

Jim

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f_sondergaard
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2002 : 07:39:55

Jim, check out "Minnie" in the tech tips. We have ordered the keel conversion kit and are waiting for it to be shipped. The reason we are converting is becouse our cast iron keel is rusting away! As far as pros and cons go, well....we'll get back on that one!

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2002 : 08:36:09

Hi Jim,

The wing retrofit kit is available from both the Catalina factory(wher I got mine from)or Catalina Direct. Catalina Direct advertizes theirs for Approx $1800 in their catalogue. Shipping extra...look into that one.

O.K. The cons ....Price, it's very expensive and if you don't have the equipment or expertize to do the job yourself double expense. I had the yard do mine and it came to around $4000 parts included.

The pros ...All the complications that the swing adds to the sailing experience are gone. Like excessive maintenance, humming cables, clunking keel, wet bilges, unplanned deployment of the swing and the resultant disasterous consequences of that maneuver.

Having said this I'm ducking the incoming artillery from those who still have a swing.

Norm in N.J did the conversion using floor jacks...FANTASTIC

Val on "CALISTA" #3936

Val Bisagni

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f_sondergaard
1st Mate

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USA
92 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2002 : 12:44:34

Catalina Direct told us they were not doing the conversion kit anymore becouse of problems with shipping! So, ours is coming from Catalina in California! We love our swing keel but ours is to the point that it is swiss cheese! In checking all the money angles, we would come out about the same if we ordered a new swing keel. But...since Catalina has the kit, why not get rid of the mantenance of the swing!

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2002 : 16:54:46

F S,

It always sounds like I'm lambasting the swing design, could be that I am and with good reason from my experience with a swing.

At times I've even groused about the wing exchange and the expense inherent in the retrofit. But there is no doubt that the boat is sheer enjoyment since the keel exchange. I wish you the same with your wing.

Val

Val Bisagni

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2002 : 17:11:41

I like my swinger a lot, and since I am in fresh water, the maintenance has not been a big deal at all. BUT, I just had the pleasure of racing in our fleet's first one design regatta last weekend. There were three swingers and a winger....I was somewhat faster upwind with the swing, but we left our boards down on the runs downwind. We swingers couldn't seem to do as well as the wing on a run, especially after we decided not to use chutes in the last 2 races (to even it out; one boat was chute-less). Based upon this limited experience of 5 races, I'd add this on to the "pros and cons" list, if racing/performance is an issue.

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR *Portland, OR

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR in Portland, OR

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 08/14/2002 : 21:50:02

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
...but we left our boards down on the runs downwind.
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
What a gentleman, Gary... But do I recall correctly that the one-design rules don't allow moving the board? In other words, if you had, we'd have to arrest you! <img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette "Passage" in SW CT

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 08/14/2002 21:50:35

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cat30
1st Mate

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73 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2002 : 08:30:51

We replaced the swing keel after sefveral broken cables damged the keel trunk. Insurance paid a small portion of the repair. We had a yard to the heavy lifting- i did some of the prep work and the finish work. To save on the shiiping cost we had Catalina ship the keel on a truck bringing a new boat to a local dealer. The boat had a great feel to it with the new keel.

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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts

Response Posted - 08/16/2002 : 11:23:03

Gary B, the swinger is definitely faster to weather - tacks quicker and has less leeway, but is slower off the wind (with the keel down). That's why the PHRF ratings are (or should be) the same. If you run a perfect weather leg in a fixed or wing and beat the swing to Mark 1 you can usually win the race!
Derek

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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.