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The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
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.
Hi all, I'm brand new here and we just purchased a 1982 C25 swing keel. I have been reading these forums a lot and am trying to get up to speed on the swing keel inspection. My biggest question is how will I know if there is a problem with the cable/keel attachment? I saw that the one sold on CatalinaDirect is different from the one on our keel. Should I replace it? Thanks!
Welcome aboard. If you don't know the age of your cable, or if its more than 3 years old (fresh water only), you should probably replace it. Definitely replace the fitting with the CD model and the turning ball when you replace the cable. You can get it all from CD, or you can have a local rigger make the cable for less and just buy the fitting and turning ball. Be sure the rubber hose that extends from the hull fitting nearly to the winch is in good shape too; the hose limits water entry, especially when in reverse. If the keel "clunks" while sailing, the pivot assembly may need attention too, but that can be discussed later. Swingers are a special group that offer certain benefits in exchange for modest, but absolutely mandatory, labor.
EDIT: We encourage you to join if you haven't, but we'll be here to help whether you do or not. Your member profile lets you include information about your boat in your signature, like mine is TR (tall rig), SK (swing keel). Trad. (traditional interior)
I would second Dave about replacing the cable if you don't know when it has been replaced. I didn't when I bought mine and found that it had poarted at the swage one weekend. I was in about 55 inches of water at the slip because of low water at the lake, so it didn't wreck the housing and cause leaks. Interesting winching the keel up and getting the boat in water where I could attach the swage and get the new cable secure on the winch barrel. I change mine every two years now-- overkill, but....
I replaced my cable on the boat every 2 years, it is worth the effort because the expense can be huge if the cable or pin broke. Moreover, one can really inspect the cable by doing the replacement process.
I also replaced the pivot pin, and brackets as well. CD sells a heavy duty set and it also helps mitigate keel rock.
<blockquote id="quote"><font size="1" face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"><i>Originally posted by triley</i> <br />I would second Dave about replacing the cable if you don't know when it has been replaced. I didn't when I bought mine and found that it had poarted at the swage one weekend. I was in about 55 inches of water at the slip because of low water at the lake, so it didn't wreck the housing and cause leaks. Interesting winching the keel up and getting the boat in water where I could attach the swage and get the new cable secure on the winch barrel. I change mine every two years now-- overkill, but.... <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></font id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Do I understand that you changed the cable while the boat is in the water?
I DID change it in the water. I winched the keel up so it was off the bottom and then motored with a friend to a clear sandy bottom on the lake with about 4.5 feet, maybe less. Winched keel down, and then, wearing a diving mask and using a pliers, removed the swage. Replaced it and threaded it up into the cabin. The rest was easy. Only did it that once. Have changed the cable regularly since then every other swing. She is an 87 sk/sr. I Keep her on a lift now since we were in an unprotected part of our lake.
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. 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.