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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

swing keel questions

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edr_bug
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 16:36:18

I thought I read that you are not supposed to slacken the cable while sailing because it allows the cable to move around too much and can cause failure by work-hardening it.

Edited by - on

edr_bug
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 16:37:00

Yep, here is a link. It's on the Catalina Direct website.

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&Product_ID=445

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 20:10:17

Good point. It pays to read the directions.

Edited by - on

Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 08:17:35

"It will take 15-30 minutes while the boat is on the trailer. Cost is about $40."

Stampeder- I've been trying to figure the best way to access the cable and connection while it's on the trailer. We managed to jack up the front of the boat to inspect the pivot pin and bracket, but when we started raising the back we got too many creaking noises and quit. What's your method?

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 11:19:58

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">What's your method?<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

With boat on trailer, I use a floor jack to raise the aft end of the boat. Make sure bow eye is securely attached to trailer, wheels securely chocked, slack off the keel cable, then position a jack under the skeg. You probably don't need to raise the stern more than half a foot. IMHO, some creaking is to be expected.
I helped a friend change a keel cable on his 1980 Swinger, we didn't have to raise his boat at all. BTW - Both of us have rollers on our trailers.

I have a bunch of pier blocks that I built our of 2X6's that I use for winter storage. I place these blocks at strategic points under the frame of the trailer to take the weight off the tires. When I changed out my keel cable, I placed these blocks mostly around the front of the trailer so it would not be inclined to tip. I am a very cautious person - even so, I have no hesitation getting under the boat while it is on the trailer and jacking up the front or rear. The weight of a C25, as is with most sloop-rigged sail boats, is primarily in the middle under the mast.

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Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 05/10/2008 : 19:20:14

We had placed our jack right behind the keel and when I looked inside realized there was no bulkhead or any structural support near there. I'll try backing up the jack to the end of the boat. (I'm guessing that's the "skeg" where it's built up in front of rudder). (need to work on my terminology) My trailer has 4 jacks down each side so I'm thinking I can lower the front ones so th boat will pivot on the middle ones when i raise the stern. That way I'm not lifting the whole boat, just tilting it forward. Works in my mind anyway, we'll see this week when I try it. Like you say we only need a few inches to get at the cable connection. Since this boat is new to us, I definitely need a look. Prefering not to do the free-fall scenario.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 15:12:12

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">(I'm guessing that's the "skeg" where it's built up in front of rudder). <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
that's it.

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BFTEagles
Deckhand

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USA
22 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 20:10:49

Ask your son. He's a genius. He'll probably have a solution for you.

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Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 21:14:42

yeah he's pretty smart for a...................
STINKPOTTER!!!

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Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 05/14/2008 : 22:01:54

but ok, I'll check with him

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 09:54:21

The skeg is hollow and NOT stronger than the rest of the hull.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/15/2008 : 11:38:56

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">The skeg is hollow and NOT stronger than the rest of the hull.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Are you saying this is not a good location to jack up the hull?

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edr_bug
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2008 : 12:56:20

I've used the skeg also, on the '83 that I used to have, and it easily supported the weight. It gets its strength from its shape rather than the thickness of the f/g laminate. It's built like a really deep C-channel. Remember you are not lifting (much of) the swing keel with the boat.

Edited by - on

avigal
Deckhand

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USA
13 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2008 : 11:21:12

On ebay there is an auction to C25 that sunk due to cable breakdown, Item number: 250248885386.

From Auction:
"General Description: This 1979 25' Catalina Sailboat was completely submerged when the swing keel cable failed allowing the keel to swing unchecked until it came up against the trunk. As it hit the trunk, if fractured the fiberglass causing the leak leading to the submersion.

The fiberglass hull is in fair condition except for damage caused by keel and gel coat is chalky. There is no generator. One battery sighted at time of inspection, submerged, in poor condition, not tested. The fresh and raw water washdowns are in poor condition. The swim ladder is in fair condition. Windows are in poor condition. Upholstery submerged and in poor condition. Sails appear to be in fair condition stored in cabin in bag. Inventory of sails present at time of inspection was not done. Mast appears to be in fair condition. All electronics, gauges, controls and associated wiring submerged, not tested and in poor condition. Winches are in poor condition. Rolling furling is in poor condition. Boom is in poor condition. Toe rail in poor condition. Rudder/tiller is in fair condition. Gunwale is in fair condition. Overall deck is in fair condition. There is one stateroom and one head with an electric head that was submerged and not tested. Headliner appears to be in fair condition. Some rainwater accumulation on cabin floor. Carpet is in poor condition. Single Honda 8hp gas outboard engine, submerged, not preserved, not tested."

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Merrick
Navigator

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USA
192 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2008 : 12:47:09

Edr - thanks for reaffirming that it does work. I'm going to try to set two jacks if possible, will find out this week. Hoping to inspect, find ok and then launch Saturday. Been told the cable was recently replaced, but need to eyeball it. The keel pin was good, so am hoping the cable/fitting looks ok for this summer, then change it out in winter. Then will try not to worry about above scenario. Have already missed way too much pretty weather...

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/20/2008 : 14:29:19

Before I launched this weekend, I tapped and pounded the bottom of my boat, including the skeg to see where the best jack placement point would be. The skeg sounds solid, and certainly had a more substantial sound than the areas around it.
So, next time I jack up the rear end of my boat to get access to the keel cable attachment point, I am going to use the Skeg, same as last time. Unless someone can tell me categoricaly that it is not a good jack placement location.

anyone who uses any hoisting location should be comfortable in their choice of location. Any location you choose, you should spread the contact point out as much as possible, which is partly why I chose the skeg, it allowed me spread the contact point the entire length and width of the skeg - and it being the furthest aft point, gives some leverage advantages.

Re: the sunken '79 Swinger, does anyone know who the owner was and why the keel was up and/or any other details>

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