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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Centering Swing Keel on Trailer

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seabreeze
Deckhand

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18 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/07/2009 : 07:41:58

I have a C25 1982 swing keel on a trailer since March. I've been loading it onto the trailer sort of by trail and error to get it centered, trying to get even on both sides,since you can't see the keel under water. I have not been too successful at getting on first try (last week it took 5 or 6 times backing into the water). So what methods do you guys use to center the keel onto it's brace when you load from the water?

Jim
C-25, 1982, SR,SK

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2009 : 08:46:13

What is your trailer configutation? Can you start with the trailer a little less deep in the water? Perhaps you can add some kind of centering guide rails or posts to the rails of the trailer? We have Fulton guide-on posts on our C-22 trailer that are very effective. The C-25 is both taller and much heavier, but most likely something could be devised to do the same thing. Measure the distance from your trailer frame to the boat's rubrail and how far out horizontally the rubrail is from the frame, and call Fulton.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2009 : 13:33:24

Chris holds a stern line and a boathook; I keep the boat centered in the mirror and call instructions if warranted. We've reloaded one time.

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TractorJohn
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 09/07/2009 : 21:16:01

Seabreeze, if you get it centered in 5 trys your doing great. Do what your doing or build some guides. With guides you can retrieve in rough condititons by yourself.
First of all, if your only retreiving once a year it's probably not worth the expense/effort to build guides.
You need a keel guide as a minimum to assure your centered. The only sure way to do this is to start with the boat perfectly centered exactly where she belongs on the trailer. Now build a vee near the aft end of keel pointing "straight up" (hopefully your trailer already has a frame member the keel sits on near the right place)build the vee out of wood or steel and clamp or bolt it how ever you can. When you measure don't allow any extra clearance, line it with carpet. For my current C25 I used two pcs of 2" steel angle about 16" long, faced with a wood 2x4 and carpeted. Many keel guides are designed to guide the boat as it is moved forward onto trailer, "this is a mistake" because the boat actually settles downward onto trailer( not forward) as you pull it from water, this is why the vee should point up.
To make it easier also build a seperate hull guide that extends above the water when the boat floats, this is more work and expense but will relieve your crew of any centering responsibility. Build this guide to fit tight at your boats widest beam.
When I retrieve my boat I simply pull the ropes and float it all the way to the bow chock, hook the eye and drive up the ramp, the boat is centered perfect every time.
One last trick is to leave the keel down a few inches, this makes sure the keel connects with the vee guide before the hull settles on the bunks/rollers. What you build need not be super strong, your not going to be banging into it like the power boaters do that drive onto their trailers never leaving their seats.
TJ

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seabreeze
Deckhand

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18 Posts

Response Posted - 09/09/2009 : 14:37:39

Thanks for the responses. TJ, I would really like to see a picture of your V keel guide. I appreciate your logical explanation. Is it attached to the sides of the keel brace of the trailer?
Thanks

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TractorJohn
Deckhand

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USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2009 : 13:11:31

Trailer guides are nice to have. I have taken some poor quality but usable pics for all to see. I'm not saying this is the only way or best way, just the way I did it for several boats and I've included a few pointers I think are useful. Anyone doing something like this needs to make your own decisions baseed upon your situation.
Now lets see how this picture thing works.
TJ
[URL=http://s682.photobucket.com/albums/vv186/TractorJohn/C25%20trailer%20guides/?action=view&current=P9150062.jpg]

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TractorJohn
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
24 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2009 : 13:28:06

I don't know what happened, the thumbnails were supposed to be clickable and the text is gone.
If you really want to see them copy the url and open in a new browser window, I'm going sailing.
TJ

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HeelinPatrick
Navigator

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USA
102 Posts

Response Posted - 09/17/2009 : 15:13:35

As far as I knew, mine self centers on the boat rollers, and where there keel sits is on a big rubber flat roller. So, once on the trailer, I unwind the keel just enough to its being supported by the trailer. I figure the boat doesn't need to be perfectly straight, just as long as it won't go shifting while going down the road.

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seabreeze
Deckhand

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18 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2009 : 15:01:06

Thanks, TJ, for these great pictures. I was easily able to download them from the url. My trailer is exactly like yours with the metal tray for the keel in the middle...These should be valuable in the archives.

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.