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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Swing Keel Cable

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Dave
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/12/2003 : 20:47:18

I'm replacing my cable and noticed in Tech Tips that the cable is 7x19 1/4" x 10' eye to eye. I went to the hardware store and found some stainless steel cable that matched that description. However, the cable is rated to 1280 lbs. Is that strong enough for a 1500 lb keel? I imagine that it is not lifting the entire 1500 because it is pivoting and underwater.

Also, the description of eye to eye has me wondering about the attachments. In Tech Tips there is a picture of the winch side that seems to match what I see. I.e., there is no eye on the winch side, it wraps around the cylinder and has a clamp on the side. On the keel end it looks like mine has a fork terminal, but the Tech Tip diagram mentions an eye bolt and a clevis pin (the picture also looks like the cable has an eye terminal). Does anyone know what works and fits in the space on our C25s? I'm renting a crane and want to have everything I need to get the job done. I'm also painting the bottom, but that's another story.

Edited by - on

William Matley
1st Mate

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52 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2003 : 21:05:08

Dave, You may have found a cable that will work just fine. But when you consider the cost to get a replacement that is made for the Catalina 25 swing keel, you have to ask yourself "is it worth it"?

I will replace my cable for the first time since my boat was built in 1980. The old cable had 2 or 3 meat hooks but otherwise looked just fine. The new cable arrived today from Catalina Direct. I am sure I could have used the old one for this year but at some point you just have to replace it. Seems to me that this cable is a small expense for a very important part. Getting a cable that fits exactly the use it was intended for is the right thing to do.

Just my 2 cents.

Edited by - on

Dave
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2003 : 21:12:59

Thanks for the response. I agree that this is an important part so I want to get something I can trust. I looked at Catalinadirect.com and didn't see the cable (saw the winch and handle). Am I missing it or do you just ask them for the cable? How much was it? Did it have attachments?

Edited by - on

ddlyle
Captain

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302 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2003 : 22:10:35

Dave , It's around $40 +/-. I think it's a small price to pay for the assembly to prevent 1500# from crashing down and busting the fiberglass housing causing a sub-marine former sailboat.
Until I replace my cable (which looked very good and shiny, no meat-hooks) I will leave my keel down unless I'm traversing skinny water.
I also crank it up or down at those times religously (in other words, I pray nothing fails).
My winch operates fine and the keel looks good. Mine has very little play at the pivot point.
Go ahead and replace the turning ball while you're at it, or at least, remove the hose pipe under the campanionway steps and look at it.
Like my friend has said, the hardest part of a job is starting it.
Our boats are strong and will take care of us. Let's take care of them.

Cap'n Dave
Sailing The Blues
1986 C25 sr/sk #5413

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/12/2003 : 22:34:17

Dave,

If you are new to the C25, I suggest you get the Catalina Direct handbook for the C25, because their website only lists a couple of parts and not their entire catalog. The handbook makes a nice reference tool because it details how to recognize certain things like to-hulls, aluminum spreader brackets,...etc, and you'll be calling them eventually for parts, so you might as well have the catalog.

<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>Don Lucier<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/c25sm.gif" border=0>
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b2d904b3127cce9f7cd9ffdf1d0000003010" border=0>
North Star SR/FK

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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2003 : 07:35:07

I replaced two of 'em last summer (2 different boats) and helped do one this spring with friend. Trust me; get the cable from CD, and the turning ball. It's not THAT expensive: $50 ish for cable with terminal, and a bit more for the turning ball. In a couple of hours you will have much more peace of mind.......

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

steephen
Navigator

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100 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2003 : 11:18:34

I too am replacing the swing keel cable, and am just buying Catalina replacement for +/- $40. Question: Which side of the ball, fore or aft, does the cable come up through, in terms of the little grooved ball? Also, I lubricated the ball and it spins perfectly; why are some of you folks talking about replacing it? Anything I should know?

Stephen Z

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steephen
Navigator

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100 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2003 : 11:18:38

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77Gypsy
Captain

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USA
356 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2003 : 13:39:59

get the part from CD, you don't want to have it break and have to replace the keel. i try to be economical on my boat wit5h everything but safty issues. i did the replacement chainplates and spreader brackets. yes it is a little inconvinient, my masdt is still down and i've not sailed yet this season, however, when i do, i know she will be sea worthy.

Steve
78 C25 SR/FK - Gypsy

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

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USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2003 : 14:57:26

Question: Which side of the ball, fore or aft, does the cable come up through, in terms of the little grooved ball? Also, I lubricated the ball and it spins perfectly; why are some of you folks talking about replacing it? Anything I should know?

Last month I replaced the cable and the turning ball...The cable fit the keel perfectly and the turningball came out easily...the big deal was removing the hose. As anyone who hase ever replace a automobile cooling hose will tell you, you have to cut it off. The problem with cutting the Catalina 25 cable hose is the stainless steel reinforcment. UGH...but it makes a tough hose for a critical part of the boats floatation.
The turning ball spun freely...once I removed the nut and the screw that fell down the hose. (complimsents od a PO) The valley of the grove was shaped like a pentagom...it was being sawn in half by the cable....I got here just in time.
One suggestion I saw (after the job was done) was to have someone ubnder the boat while replacing the cable.(you must do this on the 'HARD' or the boat will sink when you remove the hose). After removing the old cable, thread the new up from below, on the aft side of the ball. Fit a new hose and attach the new cable to the winch.
Have the other person hang on to the cable while you crank it up. This lets the cable lay up smoothly. As the fitting approaches the keel attaching point, hook it up.
I did it the hard way and won't go into the stupid details.
Good Luck....

Bill Jaworowski
Moonbeams C25 SR/SK #4953 Slipped on Lake Carlyle, IL.

Edited by - on

jncarlin
1st Mate

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USA
45 Posts

Response Posted - 05/13/2003 : 20:30:24

Bill -

You mentioned replacing the hose (after cutting the old one) - what hose do you use? Is it a stock CD part?

Edited by - on

NuNees
Navigator

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USA
125 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 00:22:39

JN Carlin,
I bought all of the parts from Catalina Direct. The service was good and the parts arrived quickly. The hose is one tough piece of rubber. Had the turning ball not been screwed up I would have been tempted to ignore replacing the hose. Everything I have read about the cable replacement suggests replacing the hose at the same time...if I remember correctly the hose was about $12.00...and it keeps the boat from sinking. Good Luck

Bill Jaworowski
Moonbeams C25 SR/SK #4953 Lake Carlyle, IL

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 08:32:14

Buying the kit also comes with a new turning ball - you won't get that at the hardware store...

dw

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

Dave
Deckhand

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16 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 14:16:54

I ordered the stuff from CD and it might arrive as soon as today. Thanks everyone for your posts.

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markolito
1st Mate

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Italy
95 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 14:54:45

dwane,
you mention a kit.. does the kit include every component for the keel for less $$?

<img src="http://www.response-marketing.com/beta/plaa.jpg" border=0>
1980 SR/SK "Wet Pretzel"

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 16:36:20

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
dwane,
you mention a kit.. does the kit include every component for the keel for less $$?

<img src="http://www.response-marketing.com/beta/plaa.jpg" border=0>
1980 SR/SK "Wet Pretzel"
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

Not exactly positive since I did this a few years back, but I know it included more than the cable itself.

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>

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John V.
Admiral

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USA
559 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2003 : 08:45:21

Hi all, regarding the turning ball, the keel cable goes on the aft side of the ball. since the angle of the cable turns forward as the keel descends that becomes the pivot point for the cable. If you put it on the other side it will gradually cut through the fiber glass and sink the boat. Always get Catalina parts either from Catalina or from Catalina Direct. The rubber pipe will not be safely replaced by "radiator hose" because this is a critical item use the parts designed for the boat.

John V. Nin Bimash II
77 C25 sk/sr #153

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Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2003 : 08:27:09

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
The rubber pipe will not be safely replaced by "radiator hose" because this is a critical item use the parts designed for the boat.

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

Essentially, what they will send you is a Marine grade radiator hose!

dw

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>

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