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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

advice on Catalina 25' swing keel

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jbrownent
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Initially Posted - 11/11/2012 : 14:20:46

Members: I am new to the forum. I have searched for the perfect boat for cruising, handling, and shallow water gunkholing. I think it is the Catalina 25', swing keel, 8 hp outboard with roller fuller. . . .? I am aware that there are some issues with the swing keel (cable, connections, winch, knocking sounds, etc.)so before buying one I want some honest feedback. I will otherwise look for a fixed keel and settle with the 4' draft. Please offer me any suggestions, ideas, info that you care to share and I will be very grateful. Thanks, John

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WesAllen
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2012 : 20:44:13

With proper maintenance the SK shouldn't be any problem. I have had mine for 4 years in both south west Florida and the Great Lakes. I really like mine and single hand most of the time and it works well. I did replaced the winch last year and will replace the cable this year.

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BCG-Woodbury
Mainsheet Editor

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USA
396 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2012 : 21:03:35

I've sailed mine for one season now and am very pleased with her. I got the SK for similar reasons. I'm on a lake in CT but would like to move to Long Island Sound someday. The SK was a good option because it is trailerable. Mine came with a nice roller trailer that was custom-made for the boat because the PO owns the Sea Lion Trailer Co. They don't offer sailboat trailers as a standard offering but are considering adding them to their line. A WK would also be trailerable but the draft is about 36" vs. the 30" of a SK with the keel up. Good luck with your purchase.

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Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 11/11/2012 : 21:08:45

The as long as you don't skimp on the maintenance, the swinger is a great boat. There are many threads addressing the pro's and cons, but you must already be aware of that. Pearl spends summers on Lake Erie and winters in the gulf. A pull start is a little awkward to reach, but they are manageable, and you definitely want an XLS (extra long shaft). My previous boat was a Clipper 21 with a swing keel.

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jbrownent
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 11:11:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by WesAllen
 With proper maintenance the SK shouldn't be any problem. I have had mine for 4 years in both south west Florida and the Great Lakes. I really like mine and single hand most of the time and it works well. I did replaced the winch last year and will replace the cable this year.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

WesAllen, thank you for the reply. I will survey the SK system including the winch, cable, connections, pivot pin, keel, and the trunk. I will also read up on the maintenance procedures as well.

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jbrownent
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 11:14:03

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jbrownent
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by WesAllen
 With proper maintenance the SK shouldn't be any problem. I have had mine for 4 years in both south west Florida and the Great Lakes. I really like mine and single hand most of the time and it works well. I did replaced the winch last year and will replace the cable this year.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

WesAllen, thank you for the reply. I will survey the SK system including the winch, cable, connections, pivot pin, keel, and the trunk. I will also read up on the maintenance procedures as well.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Oops: Dave, sorry about sending the "WesAllen" reply to your quote. Anyway, you gentlemen seem to have similar opinions and experiences so I will include all three in my Thanks for the info.

Remeber; I'm the new kid on the block

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JimGo
Admiral

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USA
962 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 11:19:11

Where will you be sailing? If the water is deep enough to keep the keel down most of the time, you'll be in even better shape. One of the big problems with the swinger is where it's fully retracted and the winch/cable breaks, allowing the keel to drop and accelerate, and eventually crash into the keel trunk and ripping a hole in the boat. It doesn't happen often, but it can happen. That's why you need to inspect the mechanism carefully. All that being said, if you can keep the keel extended, it can't really crash forward.

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Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9081 Posts

Response Posted - 11/12/2012 : 15:11:32

I assume you're aware there are wing keel versions out there... I think Catalina started offering it in 1987, and by 1988, the swing keel was discontinued. The wing is quite shallow--only a couple of inches deeper than the fully raised swinger. It gives up a little performance to windward, but not so much that anyone complains about it here. There is also the issue of having the rudder draw more than the keel--if that concerns you, Catalina Direct offers a [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=82"]kick-up rudder[/url] for a non-trivial price.

In 1989, with the swing keel gone from the line, the floor-pan was flattened and lowered, giving more headroon. Those last three years ('89-91) are generally considered the best of the C-25s, and asking prices support that.

A few people have retrofitted a wing keel into the swing keel trunk on older boats, using a kit from Catalina, so you might see one some day.

Edited by - on

dgilmer
Deckhand

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USA
4 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2012 : 08:58:48

Hey Wes,

When will you be back to CC?

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jbrownent
Deckhand

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USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2012 : 10:14:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by JimGo
 Where will you be sailing? If the water is deep enough to keep the keel down most of the time, you'll be in even better shape. One of the big problems with the swinger is where it's fully retracted and the winch/cable breaks, allowing the keel to drop and accelerate, and eventually crash into the keel trunk and ripping a hole in the boat. It doesn't happen often, but it can happen. That's why you need to inspect the mechanism carefully. All that being said, if you can keep the keel extended, it can't really crash forward.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I will be sailing in the Pamlico, Albemarele, and up to the Chesapeake Bay. You have a good suggestion here, but there are times when the keel needs to go up (shallows, beaching, trailering, etc.) so don't want to have any problems. thanks for the info.

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jbrownent
Deckhand

Members Avatar

USA
5 Posts

Response Posted - 11/13/2012 : 10:16:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Stinkpotter
 I assume you're aware there are wing keel versions out there... I think Catalina started offering it in 1987, and by 1988, the swing keel was discontinued. The wing is quite shallow--only a couple of inches deeper than the fully raised swinger. It gives up a little performance to windward, but not so much that anyone complains about it here. There is also the issue of having the rudder draw more than the keel--if that concerns you, Catalina Direct offers a [url="http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=category.display&category_ID=82"]kick-up rudder[/url] for a non-trivial price.

In 1989, with the swing keel gone from the line, the floor-pan was flattened and lowered, giving more headroon. Those last three years ('89-91) are generally considered the best of the C-25s, and asking prices support that.

A few people have retrofitted a wing keel into the swing keel trunk on older boats, using a kit from Catalina, so you might see one some day.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Stinkpotter:

You have read my mind and anticipated my tack. I am already looking at the fin and wing keels. I like the boat so want to stay with the 25', and this gives me options. Thanks for your insight. John

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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.