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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Swing Keel Support on Trailer

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Bill Sloane
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/08/2002 : 17:52:45

I am looking at a used trailor that is set up for a sailboat with a fixed keel that is 4'-10" below the hull. The trailer has a steel plate to support the keel and stanchions that come up off the frame to support the hull. Can I set my Catalina 25 onto this trailer with the swing keel up, then lower the keel down so that it rests at an angle on the bottom plate of the trailer? Later, I can adjust the stanchions to fit my hull keel config. better. Or do I need to lower the stanchions first?

Bill
'78 C25 / SR SK No. 496 "Suede Shoes"

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OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 11/08/2002 : 19:58:39

All good questions Bill.
Fixed keel boats rest on their keels with the stachions keeping the boat vertical - or balanced. Swing keel boats are supported with racks-of-rollers to spread the weight. The stanchions you refer to above are not designed to support weight of the boat.
Also, racks of rollers are preferable to bunks as it allows you to winch the boat forward while on the trailer (after the boat has been pulled up onto a level grade) something I always have to do because of the steep angle of our marina ramp.
In short, unless you're willing to invest in racks of rollers (and getting them fitted to the right angle) or bunks that will run most of the length of the hull below the waterline, I think I'd pass and wait for a second hand Trail-Rite made for the C25 swinger.
Good luck.

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2002 : 11:34:04

Bill: I didn't get your phone message until late Sunday night. Sounds like, if the trailer has 32 rollers, plus bunks for the stern, you'd be fine, once it is cut down to be lower for the swinger. Sounds like more than ample support to me......just so the trailer supports the HULL, not the keel, as in the case of a fixed keel. If you bought it, you should be okay; just find a good welder. If you need help with measurements, get in touch. Encore! is not on her trailer yet, but I could get pretty close, I think.

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2002 : 13:04:04

Hi Bill,

My boat is on the trailer in front of my house right now (illegally I might add). I'm going to do a couple more things to her and then get her in the water within a week if it's the last thing I do (!). Anyway, I'd be happy to take some photos of my trailer and email them to you. You can see how my trailer is made, and maybe it will give you some ideas of how to modify your trailer.

I also have an older swinger, so I'm betting our boats are pretty much identical ... let me know if you'd like some photos and an email address to send them to.

Good luck!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

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Bill Sloane
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2002 : 13:04:14

Gary:

Thanks for getting back to me. Yes, I would like measurements of the height of your bunks and rollers above the deck of your trailer. I sent you an e-mail to that effect too. Doesn't this data exist with Catalina Yachts? I went to their web site but could not figure out where to find it.

Bill
"Suede Shoes"

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2002 : 23:57:57

Bill: That trailer is way higher than a trailer would be for a C-25 fin keel! Seems like a shame to have a swinger designed for trailering and then get a trailer that you'd probably have to have the boat lifted onto. I think the regular swinger trailers are designed to support the keel while bumping down the road. On yours, that would mean dropping the keel most of the way after loading. That could be an advantage for maintenance, but, well... it's different. <img src=icon_smile_blush.gif border=0 align=middle>

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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Bill Sloane
1st Mate

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USA
91 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2002 : 12:16:10

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I'd be happy to take some photos of my trailer and email them to you. You can see how my trailer is made, and maybe it will give you some ideas of how to modify your trailer.

<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Buzz

My e-mail address is bills@msgsarch.com I would like to see some photos. What I really want is the distance from the plate that supports the swing keel up to the stern bunks and mid ship rollers. That is what I need to cut down on this trailer. Appreciate any input.

Bill

C 25 SR/ SK No. 496 "Suede Shoes"

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1774 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2002 : 17:50:31

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I would like to see some photos. What I really want is the distance from the plate that supports the swing keel up to the stern bunks and mid ship rollers. That is what I need to cut down on this trailer. Appreciate any input.

Bill

C 25 SR/ SK No. 496 "Suede Shoes"
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Hi Bill,

From your description it sounds like my trailer isn't built at all like the one you are trying to modify. Aside from the obvious (i.e. yours is for a fin keel), mine has no bunks ... only rollers. As you can see from the photo below, there are four sets of rollers on my trailer, and each bank of rollers has sixteen rollers in it:

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cf33b3127cce91bd7dc2a1af0000001410" border=0>

I have taken several other photos and measurements for you ... rather than clutter up the thread, I'll send them to your email address and we can sort it out from there.

Good luck!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2002 : 11:58:06

Bill: sounds like Buzz is helping. I open a play in two days, not home from 8 AM til midnight. I could measure on Friday or Sat, I think......can you wait a coupl'a days? Gary B. Encore!

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