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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 250 Specific Forum
 250 Wing Keel vs. Swing Keel Water Ballest		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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mcl2
Deckhand

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USA
8 Posts
Initially Posted - 01/14/2003 :  10:23:01  Show Profile
Hi, I recently fell in love with the Catalina 250 while at the Atlantic City Boat show, and i was wonder if you guys could point a rookie in the right direction. . . . Which would be better for me a wing keel or a water ballest swing keel. . . . I will be trailoring the boat atleast 2 times a year to and from the lake, and maybe from New Jersey to Lake Champlaine once a year for a long weekend. . . . but mostly the boat will stay in the water at a large lake in the Poconos. . . . I like the easy trailerability of the water ballest, but don't like the 5 inches less of head room. . . The wing keel will give me more head room and greater stability, but harder to trailer. . . . Any suggestions? How hard is a wing keel to trailer? I curently sail and trailor a catalina 22 swing keel, but want to move up. . . . please help!!!! thank you in advance. . . .
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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts
Response Posted - 01/14/2003 :  12:10:22  Show Profile  Visit Arlyn Stewart's Homepage
The wing is usually the choice for a boat that stays in the water and is occassionally trailered as long as a suitable ramp or lift is available. Launching requires use of a tongue extention or rope n dolly on suitable ramps.

The water ballast is generally chosen for those who trailer regularly or dry slip and is actually easier to deal with than a C22.

Arlyn C-250 W/B #224
R&R N/E Texas and Great Lakes

[url="http://www.cox-internet.com/arlynstewart/"]Arlyn's C250 Mods n Cruisin Stories[/url]
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BJ Wagner
1st Mate

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USA
50 Posts
Response Posted - 01/14/2003 :  15:17:03  Show Profile
This is a topic that gets much debate here.

Our prior boat was also a C-22 swing keel. We moved up to the 250 wing keel a year and half ago and while it is more work than the 22, it is a much more comfortable and enjoyable boat. Our 250 is kept on the trailer, with the mast up, in dry storage and only launched when we use it. Our ramps here are very steep and we launch with a 40' piece of 3/4" line that I had made up. The whole process takes my wife and I about 20 minutes to do each way. In my opinion I don't think it is a big deal to launch and the extra room down below is worth it to us.



Brad Wagner
C-250 Wing Keel #361
Lake Pleasant, AZ

Edited by - bj wagner on 01/14/2003 15:22:40
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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts
Response Posted - 01/14/2003 :  18:18:52  Show Profile
Trailering a c250wk is not a big deal. When I first got our boat I pulled it with a 1998 Ford Expedition 4x4 with the 5.4L engine. I had no problem with lanching and traveling down the highway at 65mph is a breeze.

The good thing about trailering the wing, you can see what is behind you with the rear view mirror. As mentioned before launching with a dolly wheel and a 30' tow strap is alittle time consuming but not to difficult.

Bryan Beamer
Daylight Again
C250wk #495
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lhooks
Deckhand

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USA
19 Posts
Response Posted - 01/14/2003 :  22:13:18  Show Profile
The lower ballast of the WK improves performance plus the WK has 10 inches of additional headroom in the cabin plus extra head room in the aft berth. The deeper swing centerboard does point a little higher than the WK but you will sail a little flatter with a WK. The CB is easier if you keep it on a trailer and transport to other waters frequently. Otherwise the WK has many advantages.

Leonard Hooks 250WK
Waco, TX
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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.