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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Swing keel inspection

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steephen
Navigator

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100 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/16/2003 : 10:00:32

Stephen Z here again, about a 1980 25. It's sitting on blocks and jackstands, and has been for four years. The keel cable is snapped, which leads me to believe the boat was brought in with keel down, and put away. I have a new cable.
Questions: Is there any way to examine the pivot to make sure the keel hadn't dropped down and damaged the boat? Would the hull be obviously cracked? Does the pivot ever wear out and need actual replacement? Finally, 1500 lbs seems like an awful lot of weight to hang from an eye-bolt; does that bolt in the back of the keel, where the cable attaches, ever pull out?
I've read in these pages that the damage from sudden keel dropage would be significant, possibly sinking the boat. From visible inspection, and scrubbing the bottom, no visible damage.

Thanks,

New owner Stephen Z.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 10:10:43

Take a look at the keel trunk from inside the boat. You should be able to see any large damage that may have happenend. If the cable broke while the boat was on the hard, you may be lucky in that it didn't damage the trunk. (wasn't able to fall all the way)

Feel around in that area to see if the fiberglass is firm and not saturated as well.

As for the rest of the inspection, I will leave that to someone with a bit more experience....

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 - Duane Wolff on 05/16/2003 10:15:46

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Buzz Maring
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1770 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 10:23:43

Hi Stephen,

Welcome to the group!

If the cable snapped and the keel trunk was damaged, the damage will be on the inside of the boat (vs the bottom of the hull) ... here is a photo of what a damaged keel trunk looks like:

<img src="http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/dragn5.jpg" border=0>

You can read about the repair job that Ken Cave did on his keel trunk in the Tech Tips ... here is the link:

http://c25c250.best.vwh.net/restricted/dragn2.html

As for the pivot pin and the keel eye bolt ... I haven't replaced either of those, so I'll let others respond. I have heard that failure of the eye bolt is rare ... what usually fails is the swaged fitting on the keel cable. Since you've already bought a new cable, you're on the right track there.

'Hope that helps ... good luck!

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

Edited by - on

Bill Holcomb
Admiral

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USA
769 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 10:28:06

Hi Steephen,

I don't know that you would say that the keel hanger castings or pivot pin acutally wear out. But, they do wear over time. AND, the pivot hole in the keel itself can become elongated. Keel "klunking" is often a symptom of this wear. Replacement parts are available from Catalina Direct (a dealer in Sacramento) or from the Catalina Yachts factory in Woodland Hills CA.

Additionally, there are spacer kits available that help stabalize the keel to minimize the "klunking".

Finally, the keel eye bolt to which the keel cable attaches was upgraded in the mid '80s to help prevent the eye bolt from turning out of it's threaded hole. That upgrade is also available as a "retro-fit".

Bill Holcomb - C25 Snickerdoodle #4839

Edited by - on

steephen
Navigator

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100 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 17:56:25

DW; Buzz and Bill:

Thanks for the dirt. I think what happened was that when they lowered the boat onto the jackstands, the swage (sp?) got caught at an angle and the cable was sheared off. That is, I saw no fiberglass damage and the keel might never have dropped; the cable might have been destroyed putting the boat to bed. Threaded in the new cable today and will attach the keel fitting at launch. Meanwhile, the boat has been resting most of its weight on the retracted keel for four years.

Stephen Z. C25 "Little Wing"

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/16/2003 : 19:11:45

Stephen,

What is your hull number? My hull number for my 1980 C25 is 2151.

<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 - 05/17/2003 : 03:23:38

With the weight off the keel (trailer/stands/sling) and the keel cranked down a few inches, you can get a decent sense of the pivot pin's condition by grabbing the keel from the lower front edge and trying to swing it from side to side. A good pivot won't allow it to "slop" around very much. A worn pivot will feel somewhat "sloppy". You can probably feel a badly worn pivot pin because the keel will hit the sides of the trunk, etc. My old '78 has the original pivot and very little play. It never "thunks" or clanks while down, etc.

Gary B.
Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

steephen
Navigator

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100 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 09:06:25

Gary:

I'll check that when they lift her. Meanwhile she's still on the blocks so I can't wiggle the keel.

SZ

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steephen
Navigator

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100 Posts

Response Posted - 05/17/2003 : 09:09:20

Don:

The hull number might be 1667, which is part of the serial number? I haven't looked around yet. Is it on the nameplate on the rear wall of the stern, under the tiller? I think the boat is 1980.

SZ

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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.