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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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Friendly Reminder for you Swing Keelers

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Tom Gauntt
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204 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/21/2008 : 08:32:44

Back in the summer (ahhhh, summer), I was adopted by a beautiful albeit neglected C25 swing keel. Luckily for us, I enjoy working on boats almost as much as sailing them. I've been busy doing the typical refit/upgrade thing this fall (new lines, thru-hulls, window seals, etc) and replacing the keel cable, maintenance of the winch, and refinishing the companionway was last week's "soup du jour". I had ordered a new keel cable and turning ball from CD and ordered a new keel cable hose as a spare. The ladder came out, the old cable was cut from the keel and then I went to remove the keel cable hose.

It literally broke apart in my hand. Right at the top of the volcano.

I'm not sure how I missed this terribly dry-rotted but absolutely essential barrier between a dry bilge and the Chesapeake Bay when I purchased the boat (probably because she had so many other pimples), but luckily for us, I found it while on the hard. The old turning ball was very badly worn (it looked like it was frozen and the cable had flat spotted one side) and it too was soon replaced.

All you swing keel owners, be aware. Check your keel cable and turning ball, and please check your keel cable hose!

Tom

Tom Gauntt

Previous owner: "Lil"
C-25 #3108 TR/SK

Currently aboard "Patina" Tartan 30 #454

Edited by - Tom Gauntt on 02/26/2009 09:33:43

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 08:53:26

Good point Tom. CD makes a point of selling marine exhaust hose for this purpose, saying the reinforcements in it's design make it the safest choice. They also sell clamps with depressions rather than cuts for the adjusting gear to engage with. They say that prevents abrasion of the rubber by the more conventional hose clamps. ... and as always on every waterline hose, double clamp. My swinger came with a PVC "shield" over the hose as well, seemed like a good idea.

Edited by - pastmember on 11/21/2008 08:55:07

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 11:58:19

Thanks for the heads up. I'll add that to my list for the next haul-out.

Edited by - on

jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 11/21/2008 : 21:22:56

Further - as a matter of faith - salt water swing keelers should change the lift cable every two years regardless of appearance.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 11/22/2008 : 00:57:03

Thanks for the reminder. I have replaced everything before and it is time again. CD is what I used and they have a good package. Double clamps.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 11/23/2008 : 18:16:03

Indeed, one of the sailors at the local club had his keel drop, and it cause damage to the hull. Very expensive repair.
60 - 80 bucks for new cable and hose is money well spent.

Deric

Edited by - on

Tom Gauntt
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204 Posts

Response Posted - 02/26/2009 : 09:40:31

Well, I finally figured out how to do the "shutterfly" thing, so I thought I'd post a few pictures of what I discovered when I looked closely at my keel cable thru-hull hose.

This is the forward facing side of the keel cable hose. A little dry-rot, but no biggie, right?

Here is the back side... yikes, it literally fell apart in my hands when I tried to remove it. With many boats out of the water this time if the year, now is a great time for all you swingers to check that keel cable and hose! Also, the turning ball was severely flat-sided and needed to be replaced as well. Easy fixes both and great piece of mind!

Edited by - Tom Gauntt on 02/26/2009 09:41:18

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2009 : 14:23:58

When is it advisable to replace the bronze tube that holds the turning ball? How do you install the turning ball so it doesn't drop too far into the tube? I assume it has to be lowered somehow into the tube and then lined up with the pin holes in the bronze tube in order to insert the pin on which it rotates. Do you insert the ball after running the new cable?

Edited by - on

pastmember
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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2009 : 15:34:50

You do not replace the bronze tube.
The pin that the ball turns on seats the ball where it belongs.

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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4593 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2009 : 15:51:16

Okay. In your picture, the pin is much closer to the top of the tube than in the pics on the CD website. also looks to be a very snug fit and relatively easy to inspect with the hose removed. Add to my list of things to do next time she's hauled out, hopefully this spring after the water warms up a bit.

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skrenz
Captain

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USA
351 Posts

Response Posted - 02/27/2009 : 15:58:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dmpilc
 How do you install the turning ball so it doesn't drop too far into the tube?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Gum

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jerlim
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1484 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2009 : 13:09:09

I used a length of twist tie looped around the groove to hold it while lowering to insert the pin.

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 02/28/2009 : 17:22:58

Spring time, next month or so, I plan on replacing the pivot end of the keel pin - - with the improved brackets so the keel doesn't rock. CD has a kit for it. I think it is well worth the work and expense.

Next year, I replace the cable, ball, and pin.

BTW - I remember dropping the ball in the tube. I think I had to use a small screw driver to poke through the pin hole to get the ball out and start over.

Deric

Edited by - on

dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 03/01/2009 : 15:36:21

When I bought our C-25 and had the bottom painted, I also bought and had installed the keel spacer kit. It helps eliminate a lot of the keel wobble.

Edited by - on

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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.