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Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Leak in swing keel trunk

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/08/2008 : 10:03:31

I'm going to check the archives, but for now I could use some current help, please. Sunday, I discovered a leak in out swing keel trunk. Pumped water out of the bilge. The boat was dry when we bought her almost 2 years ago. I removed the wood box yesterday and confirmed water id leaking in about half way up the aft edge of the trunk. Leaked about half a bucket since sunday (3 days). I assume I'll need to haul the boat, but what I really need to know is if we'll need to drop the keel to effect a good repair. I'm going out today and I'll try to get a few pics.
Either it is an old problem resurfacing, or I bumped ground in last week's Wed. evening race when i got too close to the rock buoy rounding it, although I don't really think that was it. I keep the cable tensioned.
also, does anyone even remotely close to Nashville have a trailer they could do without for a few weeks that I could borrow or rent?

DavidP
1975 C-22 SK #5459 "Shadowfax" Fleet 52
PO of 1984 C-25 SK/TR #4142 "Recess"
Percy Priest Yacht Club, Hamilton Creek Marina, Nashville, TN

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 12:15:21

David,
I've just completed a 2 week process of discovering, locating the source and repairing the problem, of a leak into our bilge from the trunk. Check this link summarizing our solution:
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17591
and this Tech Tip:
http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/tech/tech25/dragn2.asp
Good luck!!

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 12:59:17

David, I think you need to know what caused the damage. If it is due to wear from inside the cabin, then you would not have to remove the keel. But, as the cause is most likely from the keel and the damage is most likely the keel side of the keel trunk - you will have to remove the keel.

I have a traditional interior so access to the keel trunk is relatively easy - I've noticed that there is a wear mark on the outside of my keel trunk where it was in contact with the cabin keel trunk cover - PO must have misaligned it once upon a time when inspecting the keel trunk. It hasn't worn through, but I can see how this could be a potential problem if I had not noticed. My point being, inspect the inside first and eliminate it as the problem before you go to the trouble of removing your keel.
I hope this turns out to be a minor problem for you.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 13:02:58

Thanks, Jerry. I remember reading your thread. When we pull Recess out, we'll check that area as a precaution. However, for now I do know where water is coming in, and it is at the forward end of the keel, like in the tech tips item by Ken Cave, but more in the center from where his split was, not at the cable end.
My first big hurdle is going to be finding a trailer for the haul-out.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 13:07:24

Also, if the keel does need to be lowered, does anyone have a pic or drawing of a good frame to support the keel while it is down?

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 13:09:32

It seems to me you'd have a lot easier time under there if you had a marina set it on jack-stands or a cradle. Then you can lower the keel, see what you can see, and if necessary, drop the keel to do the repair. I don't see how you can do all of that on a trailer.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/08/2008 : 14:23:12

In all liklihood I will have a marina do the work. My skills and access to equipment in this area are very limited.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2008 : 21:33:51

I've got a traditional cabin layout also. I removed the keel trunk cover and can see a leak about halfway up the aft, vertical edge of the trunk. Leaking almost a full standard bucket in 3 days. Doesn't look like any wear from the cabin side. I guess I'm pulling the boat, once I locate a trailer.

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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 09:59:22

DavidP,

Sounds like the problem that I had in my C-25. I bought the boat from a dealer and it apparently had been repaired by laying some glass fabric up in that area of the trunk from the outside. It kept the water out for a short time, but eventually reopened. The second time around my insurance company would only opt to repair it again as it was repaired previously. I tried to get them to go for the wing retrofit but they would not hear of it. Well that FIX lasted just so long before it opened up a second time. At this time I had had it with cheap fixes and I bit the bullet and had a wing installed. That fix is still going strong ten years now and it's a pleasure to have a boat with a dry bilge.

Val on the hard DAGNABIT,# 3936, Patchogue, N.Y.

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cat30
1st Mate

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73 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 10:39:50

After the keel cable broke the second time the trunk was cracked pretty good. the insurance would pay for repair of the trunk but not for the wing keel- i wound up paying a couple grand out of packet and had the wing keel installed- i was please with the job. sailed about 8 years more before i sold the boat for a CAT30.

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stampeder
Master Marine Consultant

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1608 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 11:42:27

David, are you going to pursue compensation from the marina?

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2008 : 12:33:24

There is no marina at fault in my situation. I was saying that I will probably need to take it to a marina repair yard to have the work done. I'm looking into buying a trailer so I can haul it out.

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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.