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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

dropping the centerboard on the trailer

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essen48183
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USA
143 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/22/2009 : 11:10:06

There was a few posts a long time ago about this, but the pictures are now shrunken to thumbnails. So here is an updated one.

The prior owner had a broken keel cable and requested advice on this forum... he took the advice of drive it up on the trailer without doing anything else... This ruined the bottom of the keel when it dragged all through the shallows up to his trailer. If this happens to anyone on this forum, I think the proper thing to do would be to drop a line over the bow and capture it using the port and starboard winches to lift the keel. I have dragged a keel before, but it was cast iron... these are foam and honeycomb cored centerboards and the breach of the fiberglass means water intrusion and delamination. Luckily the P.O. dragged it and put it on a trailer and there wasn't any delamination for me. Anyways, here is how to drop the keel.

First, loosen the bow winch and add a few loose straps port and starboard as there is no ballast in the boat. (Thinking of huge unexpected gust of wind)

Then, remove the wood bunk supporting the keel.
(see final image to see bunk removed)

While you are down there mark the keel support blocks so they can be reinstalled properly.

Take a 6x6 piece of lumber and scribe the shape of the hull onto it, cut lines in it with a table saw and chop out the waste finishing with one of those cheap Harbor Freight chainsaw grinding wheels.

place a piece of plywood on the front of the trailer and put your hydraulic jack on it lifting the bow with the shaped block.

6 inches is all you need (so I hear

), measured at the bow roller, with the bunks gone to remove the centerboard.

Lift the aft of the centerboard and slide it forward. (While it is easy to maneuver the board, the moment it leaves the last bit of support from a crossmember the full weight is hard to control... I suggest getting a hand getting it out. I smashed and almost broke my fingers during the operation trying to do it myself!

**edited - I actually did break - not almost broke. So be careful.

Then, perform your repairs, fair and paint centerboard. First layer of glass pictured here. It got several more, was faired and painted then reinstalled with custom shims made from starboard scraps. (Don't forget to put some loctite on the bolts for the final install.)

Essen Davis
Trenton, MI

"Cornbread"
1995 Catalina 250, Water Ballast , Hull #161
http://gallery.me.com/essen#gallery

Edited by - essen48183 on 06/11/2009 10:22:28

Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 04/22/2009 : 21:25:08

When removing my centerboard, I had the cable tight, unbolted at the pivot point then gently lowered it. Of course you cannot do that with a broken cable, but the whole operation with it was quite smooth for a 1 man job.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2009 : 10:05:10

Just to get the language right. You're talking about a centerboard, right? Not a keel. Significant difference.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2009 : 09:14:10

It was never my intent to hijack "the thread to tell us we have no idea what we're talking about". If you were offended, I apologize. It was my intention to provide clarity.

I'll not hijack this thread by continuing the discussion of the difference between a centerboard and a swing keel. I've sent you a personal e-mail through the forum system. Hopefully it will arrive.

Again, if you were offended, my apologies.

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2009 : 11:27:45

A C250 with a fin? Only a photo will convince me it exists.

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2009 : 13:36:59

I try to stay surprised enough with life to learn something new every day! Thank heavens for the opportunities!
By the way, I always screw up Winch & Wench...but that another story!

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 06/11/2009 : 20:40:55

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Nautiduck
 A C250 with a fin? Only a photo will convince me it exists.

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">(I deleted an earlier post.) Next winter I'll see if it's stored at the same marina and will take some shots. It looked fast!

From Cruising World in 1997:
<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Catalina 250 Fixed Keel Specifications:
* LOA: 25’0" (7.62 m.)
* LWL: 21’3" (6.48 m.)
* Beam: 8’6" (2.59 m.)
* Draft (fin): 4’7" (1.4 m.)
* Draft (wing): 3’5" (1.04 m.)
* Ballast (fin): 895 lbs. (406 kgs.)
* Ballast (wing): 1,050 lbs. (477 kgs.)...

...Two keels are available - a 4’7" fin and a 3’5" wing - both of which are rendered in cast lead and bolted externally...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">(They also mention the WB version, but this article is about fixed keels.)

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 06/11/2009 20:44:21

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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.