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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Swing Keel Maintanence??

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John J.
Navigator

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USA
157 Posts

Initially Posted - 02/02/2003 : 10:01:31

This fall I purchased an 81 c-25SK. No real previous sailing experience. Always wanted to learn to sail and it looked like a good deal. Iv'e seen numerous references to the importance of SK maintanence here.Nothing has been done in this regard in at least 12 yrs. according to the P.O. (Which really has me P.O.'d) Any info. would be helpful as I have no idea where to start. Can this be done while the boat is on a trailer? With as many questions as I have for you freindly, knowledgable folks, I thinks it's reasonable to assume I'll make "Admiral" before I ever hoist a halyard!

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ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2003 : 11:06:02

Welcome to the swing keel club. I'd start out by getting the following:

1)The 'Owners Binder' from Catalina Direct... it has a good section on swing keel maintenance and quite a bit of other useful information.

2) Swing keel cable "upgrade kit" from the above-mentioned Catalina Direct.. It comes with a new cable and upgraded cable attachment hardware.

3) Consider a a new 'Turning Ball' and hose clamps for the keel pipe.

None of the above are very expensive (unlike some other items (grins))and installation only takes a couple hours... and typically can be performed on the trailer.

Currently maintaining two holes in the water...'77 Venture 23 and new to the family,
'78 Catalina 25

Edited by - on

Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1772 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2003 : 11:21:15

Hi John,

Congratulations on your new boat ... you're going to love her!

I replaced all the swing keel hardware on my boat last spring ... it is easy to do while the boat is on the trailer.

I ran into some trouble when I tried to replace the turning ball ... I couldn't figure out how to remove it. I finally figured out that the ball is held in place by the stainless steel shaft that it turns on, and the ends of the shaft were covered with fiberglass. If you use a grinder, or dremel tool, or a file, or whatever tool suits you, it's easy to grind the fiberglass off the ends of the shaft ... then you just punch out the shaft and the turning ball falls out.

Here is a photo of the turning ball and shaft that I removed. If you look closely you can see that the ball is wearing flat on the left side. The ball had seized, and the stainless steel cable was wearing it flat on one side ... I'm glad I replaced it when I did.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2ce36b3127cce9160663eb7830000001610" border=0>

'Hope that helps ... good luck!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>

Edited by - on

Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2003 : 17:24:27

Welcome, John. It's a great boat, and you'll find this a friendly and useful place to get help.

I have a 1985 SK/TR (#5050). When I bought it 5 years ago, the P.O. had done no keel maintenance. The next year I did it all: hangers, pivot pin, turning ball, keel cable. Everything was OK, but I'm glad I replaced it.

Last year the center of the winch drum collapsed from corrosion. I replaced the winch.

If I were you, I would replace all the keel hardware, and take a hard look at the winch. The horror stories on this site about keel failure are few but persistent and catastrophic. Better safe than sorry!

Brooke

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 02/02/2003 : 18:01:31

"This fall I purchased an 81' C25 SK. No real previous sailing experience. Always wanted to learn to sail and it looked like a good deal."

That's exactly how I got into sailing. I'd never sailed before, yet it was something that I always wanted to do. Then one cold frozen January, I was musing aloud to a co-worker about always wanting to sail and he says, "Hey, I got this friend who's moving out of state and needs to sell his boat."

From that moment on, I've been a sailing fanatic and I hope the same happens to you. Good Luck and Have Fun!

Don Lucier, 'North Star'
C25 SR/FK
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2cc32b3127cce92e981259d130000001010" border=0>
Cradled on the hard, 200ft from Lake Erie

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

Members Avatar

USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 02/03/2003 : 23:41:19

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
Hi John,

Congratulations on your new boat ... you're going to love her!

I replaced all the swing keel hardware on my boat last spring ... it is easy to do while the boat is on the trailer.

I ran into some trouble when I tried to replace the turning ball ... I couldn't figure out how to remove it. I finally figured out that the ball is held in place by the stainless steel shaft that it turns on, and the ends of the shaft were covered with fiberglass. If you use a grinder, or dremel tool, or a file, or whatever tool suits you, it's easy to grind the fiberglass off the ends of the shaft ... then you just punch out the shaft and the turning ball falls out.

Here is a photo of the turning ball and shaft that I removed. If you look closely you can see that the ball is wearing flat on the left side. The ball had seized, and the stainless steel cable was wearing it flat on one side ... I'm glad I replaced it when I did.

<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2ce36b3127cce9160663eb7830000001610" border=0>

'Hope that helps ... good luck!

Buzz Maring, C-25 SK/SR #68, "Freya"
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3df23b3127cce9306a9b3abad0000001010" border=0>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 02/04/2003 : 13:18:31

Congratulations on your purchase.

As for the cable, there have been a few references to Catalina Direct's cable, I would offer a word of caution that there have been a few posts on the old website regarding defective cables from Catalina Direct. This is not to say that there is a complete product flaw with them, just a few members who, in the past said they had problems.

You will want to do a few things - regarding the cable - but let me begin by saying our cable was on the boat for the first 22 years and was still in good condition when we replaced it.

1. I would get a kit from Catalina Yacts or Catalina direct. Make sure you get the turning ball and any other applicable parts.

2. Upon replacement, also check the eye bolt on the keel itself. These too have been known to fail.

3. After replacement, inspect your cable on a regular basis. Once a month. If there are any signs of "Meat Hooks" (frayed bits of the cable) you will need to replace this ASAP.

I can't help you with the trailer question, however my guess would be yes with some degree of the PITA factor.

One other word of advice, (note this is my opinion and other members of this forum might not agree) If you are in fresh water and will be keeping your boat at the dock, lower the keel when at the dock. That will take the stress off the cable.

D. Wolff - "The Flying Wasp" #401 sr/sk
Chief Measurer C-25/250 National Assn.
<img src="http://www.flags.com/dreamimages/Flags/measurer.jpg" border=0>

Edited by - on

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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.