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 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Wing vs fin vs swing		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4303 Posts
Response Posted - 03/12/2009 :  18:54:39  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by dlucier</i>
<br /><blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Dave Bristle</i>
<br />Gary, for "flying" in 3-4' water , you might want to look into the kick-up rudder with the gas strut that works as a shock absorber--just $949 from Ida or CD.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Or breakaway pintles!

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I'm sure the ones I have now are "breakaway", if I hit something!

Actually I don't sail that fast in 3-4' water. I've only gone in water that shallow once by accident and the tide was slightly elevated. Normally when I sail in the lake I'm 5-6' of water.

Of course now that I've said all of the above I'm sure I'll run aground or hit something the next time I go out!
Edited by - GaryB on 03/12/2009 19:10:38
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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts
Response Posted - 03/13/2009 :  21:37:29  Show Profile
One aspect of having a swing keel is that one can set the keel at different lengths to learn the affect it has on the boat.

For example, in very light wind when sailing down wind, one can lift the keel up to reduce drag and increase efficiency of speed.

A swing keel can help one learn about how it can affect boat handling.

I would love to sail on the Wing and Standard fin to learn how they handle the boat.

Deric
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swanny
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts
Response Posted - 03/14/2009 :  00:32:47  Show Profile
Greetings OJ, I think everybody else has already summed it up for you....so I'll fluff my post a bit.....I think it all comes down to your sailing experience priorities.

I sail the Puget Sound/San Juan’s, I have no experience with any Catalina other than the '88 wing I have now.....though, I did have a swing neighbor who advised me not to get a swing because of his leaky trunk....but I wouldn't let that sway me entirely :)

That said, the prior boats that have had me were a '75 Pearson 26 (Fixed), '80 Siedelmann 29.9 (Fixed), and a '74 San Juan 21 (Swing).

The Pearson pointed well and was SOLID...oh, did I say it was SOLID?! (~6500lbs wet) Moorage: $150 (1990 $) per month....loved that boat, never ran aground. (Reaon? first sailboat of my own)
http://www.pioneernet.net/DASFREAK/images/Resize%20of%20PDRM0614.JPG

The Seidelmann was big (11' beam 6+ foot draft) and FAST! Moorage: $250 per mo (Late 90's $) never ran aground. (Reason? 2-foot-itis)
http://www2.whidbey.net/swanny/sailing/images/The%20PlaySeaBeau.jpg

The San Juan 21 was VERY fast for a 21'. I did not have a depth sounder and ran aground on purpose (beach moorage...sand only) I only had to replace the keel cable once in four years when it broke sailing 400 miles from home (by trailer :) (REASON? had a baby boat)
http://www2.whidbey.net/swanny/sailing/images/SilverHeels_Survey2.jpg

I've had the Wing for only 6 months but it is absolutely my favorite boat for it's versatility. (Reason? wanted to get my kids on the water.....not to mention me :)
http://home.comcast.net/~corey.swanson/pwpimages/Launch_12-08_SM.jpg

My opinion is if your priority is cruising/convenience and berth on the hard, and racing (organized) is not really your bag; the wing is a great choice.
If I were a die-hard Catalina racer I would likely have chosen the fixed...but, I would have to be a diehard CATALINA racer as there are so many other racing boats out there it would be hard to choose ;)
If my main sailing interest was racing but I wanted to trailer, I would probably have chosen the swing....despite what my bitter neighbor advised ;)

my 2 cents.....got to work my way up from Catalina forum "scallywag" somehow....and I'm spent ;)
Corey
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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts
Response Posted - 03/14/2009 :  10:30:50  Show Profile
Thanks for sharing your experiences Corey. I am the previous owner of OJ (Ode to Joy)

http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/photo/ode075.jpg

which was a swinger. I never had any real concerns about the swing keel. I loved the boat's pointing ability. But it's time to get back into sailing and I might as well upgrade. Racing was fun - but it's time to kick back and explore other waters via trailier, i.e., Georgian Bay, Chesapeake, etc.. Comfort will take prioirity over performanace and the flat cabin floor sounds appealing also.

Anyone know what material is the wing made of?

Regards,
Steve
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pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts
Response Posted - 03/14/2009 :  18:48:47  Show Profile
lead
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Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2009 :  07:00:49  Show Profile
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by Deric</i>
<br />One aspect of having a swing keel is that one can set the keel at different lengths to learn the affect it has on the boat.

For example, in very light wind when sailing down wind, one can lift the keel up to reduce drag and increase efficiency of speed.

Deric
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes, you CAN play with the swing, but it's not recommended. If you're running downwind with the keel partially or fully raised, and run into a wind shift or have to come about suddenly, you risk being knocked down. Smaller boats like my old Mobjack routinely raised and lowered the center/daggerboard depending on the point of sail, because it could be done instantly and easily. Larger boats like Hinckleys and Tartans with combination keel/centerboards have substantial fixed keels for basic stability and centerboard extensions for going to weather. I believe the C25 handbook -- and several discussions of the subject in this website's archives -- strongly recommend lowering the swing completely ASAP, and leaving it there.
Edited by - Even Chance on 03/16/2009 07:01:34
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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2009 :  12:59:18  Show Profile  Visit aeckhart's Homepage
Swanny,

What's your sail number? Mine's an '88 wing also - #5801, a tall rig.
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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts
Response Posted - 03/16/2009 :  17:18:55  Show Profile
Hi Brooke,

Thank you for sharing the additional information regarding having the swing keel up, and the possible ramifications should a wind catch the boat. I surely do not suggest that sailing with keel up is an approved method for sailing, nor one to use as practice. One must have a perspective. Thank you.

I typically sail with the keel down. The only time the keel is up is when the boat is moving under the following conditions:

1)I am motoring through a dense weedy area. Sails down.

2)I am sailing down wind, the lake is like a mirror, and there are no ripples to be seen within miles. Usually the boat is moving less than a knot, so I reducing drag -- yes I can motor to get where I am going, but there is a notion in me that tells me "real sailors don't motor."

3)When the boat is on the trailer while I am towing it. Heh!

4) Shallow areas i.e., near the beach - - I hit bottom on two times in one year.


Caution is best practice, and stability of the boat reaches maximum when the keel down.

Best,
Deric
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swanny
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts
Response Posted - 03/17/2009 :  22:15:37  Show Profile
Hi Al,

Sail Number 5775. I purchased her from Tom Gepfrich (atgep) end of last summer.
I sure do love this boat! Mines a Std Rig.

Corey
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aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts
Response Posted - 03/20/2009 :  14:50:09  Show Profile  Visit aeckhart's Homepage
Swanny,

Cool, we're almost kin 5801 - 5775. Only 26 boat separation. I bought mine brand new in Milwaukee in January 1989. Ran up a $400 phone bill calling dealers in four states. Finally found her at Dukows Marine.
Edited by - aeckhart on 03/20/2009 14:51:44
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Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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