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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Keel Winch Assembly

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jtbarrett
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/11/2003 : 14:13:19

Ok, I seem to be having a problem with my swing keel. I am able to crank it up, but when I try to lower it, it almost took my hand off. Basically the cable it still attached but the keel falls down instead of cranking down. I tried to find a diagram of the assembly but was unable to find it. Does anyone have a diagram, or has had this happen before and can shed some light on it.

thanks much...
Jonathan Barrett
1982 sr sk #3047
"Hang Loose"
www.ypyc.org

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 08/11/2003 : 14:31:49

Jonathan,

Sorry, I don't have a diagram, and haven't experienced the problem you describe. (Well, I'm not too sorry about that second part.<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>) At the risk of stating the obvious, it sounds to me like you have a problem either with the ratchet pawl sticking (rust or other friction on pivot, damaged teeth) or the disk brake not staying engaged (maybe stripped threads). Be careful when lubing the winch not to get oil or grease on the brake disks.

For the difference in cost between replacing the winch vs. the sort of damage one can cause by failing, I wouldn't screw around with it very much before calling the Catalina Yachts parts department and getting a new one sent. Maybe get a cable and turning ball too, while you're at it. I replace mine as preventative maintenance every 2 or 3 years (as soon as the winch drum gets rusty here on the coast).

-- Leon Sisson

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Todd Frye
Navigator

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USA
222 Posts

Response Posted - 08/13/2003 : 17:36:32

My first boat was/is the 86 C-25 SR/SK I currently own. When I went out for the test sail with the PO, he demonstrated how you place your finger back up in the winch mechanism and hold the pawl away from the drum, while lowering the keel with your other hand. There were so many other upgrades I wanted to do to the boat, and had never had anything go wrong with lowering the keel, I eventually disregarded the persistent prompting to look into the whole proper SOP of winch/keel maintenance. Then while trying to share on board duties with an anxious sailing friend, the winch handle slipped off while he was lowering the keel (and yes, his finger was up there in the winch mechanism). Luckily, no body parts were mangled or lost, but the resulting jolt when the pawl kicked in, shook the whole boat. It was really scary. I pulled the boat out of the water and didn't put it back in until winch, cable and standpipe were replaced. I now have peace of mind. My new winch has a brake that controls the lowering process as you turn the crank handle counter clockwise. CD has them. Todd Frye

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wa4htz
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2003 : 18:55:35

Jonathan,
Leon's advice is very good. The winch on a swinger is nothing to fool aroung with. Remember, the keel weighs about 1500 pounds so, if it gets loose, it can come down hard enough to take out the back of the raised trunk piece and SINK THE BOAT. The winch is a Fulton K1550 which is a friction operated winch; there are no pawls like a boat trailer winch. You have to crank it down and it should offer some resistance. Mine does. It also groans a bit as you are cranking it down but everything stays nice and controlled. Go to the Catalina Direct web site and look at the winch, winch cable, turning ball, etc. for the '25. You will see a book for the C-22 mentioned on their home page. They also have one for the C-25 and it is excellent. When you replace the turning ball and the hose the winch cable runs in, you must have the boat out of the water or, as the book says, "If you remove the hose with the boat in the water THE BOAT WILL SINK." or words to that effect. If anyone has figured out a way to do it in the water, I'd love to know about it. Catalina Direct seems to be pretty emphatic it can't be done.

Best of luck with your boat and please get the winch fixed soon.

Ken
"Bolero" - TR/SK #4357

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cch
Navigator

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202 Posts

Response Posted - 08/17/2003 : 22:38:09

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
When you replace the turning ball and the hose the winch cable runs in, you must have the boat out of the water or, as the book says, "If you remove the hose with the boat in the water THE BOAT WILL SINK." or words to that effect. If anyone has figured out a way to do it in the water, I'd love to know about it. Catalina Direct seems to be pretty emphatic it can't be done.

Best of luck with your boat and please get the winch fixed soon.

Ken
"Bolero" - TR/SK #4357
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>

I did replace the swing keel cable, turning ball and hose with my boat in the water. It was not fun and although the boat did not sink, we took on alot of water. It was quite scary. Our cable broke and we were unable to get the boat out and on the trailer. Fortunatley I found a local guy with scuba gear and he went down and attached the new cable and we worked together. We worked out a code banging on the boat bottom to communicate.

I would only suggest this under emergency circumstances! From personal experience I would guess the boat would take on enough water to sink in 2 or 3 minutes if the hose is removed. Good reason to make sure that hose and clamp are in the best of condition.

Chris Hunsicker
Panama City FL
Moonglade
80 C25 #2126 sr/sk
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d636b3127cce8c9d4c83e7890000002010" border=0>

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jtbarrett
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2003 : 17:02:52

All the parts for the keel were replaced a year ago..There is a spring like thing that holds tension on the paw. It is curently attached to one hole on the face plate covering the whole assembly. Is this spring/clip supposed to be cliped into the top hole as well. If anyone can take off there wood cover under the step and tell me if the spring clips in 2 places or one would be helpful..

thanks Jonathan

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jtbarrett
1st Mate

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USA
60 Posts

Response Posted - 08/18/2003 : 17:03:36

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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.