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Need Advice on Catalina 25 Swing Keel

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MWitte02
Deckhand

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3 Posts

Initially Posted - 09/17/2003 : 23:49:27

Hello - posted this in general area then saw this specific area -writing for your collective insight and expertise. We have the opportunity to purchase a Catalina 25 with Swing Keel at a very reasonalbe price and would like your help. We are new to sailing and are wondering is the Swing Keel a help or hindrance when sailing, we will be sailing the Long Island Sound. We plan to purchase mooring for the season and dry dock for winter storage - is it okay to moor a swing keel? So, in general looking for your expertise on the Catalina 25 with Swing Keel and how friendly it may be to new sailers. Thanks for any help...

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bnpirate
1st Mate

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33 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2003 : 09:38:32

Welcome,
I bought my 84 swing keel in june and have had it moored ever since.
I am on a mountain lake so it is fresh water. The only concern I see is corosion to the keel cable in salt water.
the boat itself is a great one to learn on I would recomend it.

Brian

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La Dolce Vita
1st Mate

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USA
86 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2003 : 13:03:49

I am now on the South Shore but before buying our C-25 we kept our C-22 at a mooring in Oyster Bay for many years. When tied to the mooring I cranked the keel all the way up to prevent any slapping. We absolutely love our C-25 S/K and I think it is very beginner friendly! I also recommend drilling the keel and putting on a zinc if the boat doesn't have one.
I don't know where you are located but you may want to check out the South Shore. There is always a breeze and with the swing keel you can stay out of the channel.Whenever I run aground I just crank up the keel a few turns and I'm on my way. There are plenty of places you can go to over on Fire Island for either day trips or over nighters.

Good Luck!
Ed - La Dolce Vita

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Steve Kostanich
1st Mate

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88 Posts

Response Posted - 09/18/2003 : 13:09:22

MWitte02,

I am the original owner of Cat-25 1119, '79 model. It has been moored in the saltchuck every summer since 1983. I have done the regular suggested maintainence on the keel/cable/winch/ and all else. I used to moor with the keel up, but after following this forum, I now keep it down. If you keep on top of things, a lot of major problems can be eliminated, or at least greatly reduced.
Have the boat surveyed before you move on it. It is interesting what a little TLC can do for a boat. There are 6 C-25's moored on my dock in Olympia, WA. and my 24 year old boat looks as good as any of them simply because I take care of it! Hope the one you are looking at is a good one too.
Steve Kostanich C-25 Equinox sr/sk

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mdh347
Deckhand

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USA
16 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2003 : 20:17:49

I have a swing keel in Quincy Bay (Boston). I keep the keel up moored, since the current/tides may not push the boat in the same direction as the wind, and I figure the two will fight each other less in bad weather. Anyone have any idea if this is a real effect?

Mort Hoffman

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timpky
1st Mate

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USA
41 Posts

Response Posted - 09/19/2003 : 22:04:04

I have a 1978 swing keel that I keep moored. It is my first sailboat. It was moored for at least five years before I purchased it (just this year). I just had a bottom job done and all looked in great shape. It is a great boat. Very sturdy and well built. As with any boat there is always something to fix. But it sails very well and is a very secure boat. I would not be concerned with keeping it moored. I personally keep my keel up when moored due to shallow water and less strain on the keel. That seems to be a matter of personal choice with swingers.
Hope you enjoy yours as much as we enjoy ours.

Tim Peoples
Sarasota, FL
78 Catalina 25 SK Hull #875

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 09/20/2003 : 17:57:40

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote><font size=1 face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
I have a swing keel in Quincy Bay (Boston). I keep the keel up moored, since the current/tides may not push the boat in the same direction as the wind, and I figure the two will fight each other less in bad weather. Anyone have any idea if this is a real effect?

Mort Hoffman
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote></font id=quote><font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica" size=2 id=quote>
Hi Mort... There are several competing issues: (1) As I recall, when up, your keel is about half exposed, so pulling it only reduces its effect in currents. (2) Having it down probably increases the chances of getting the morring line wrapped around it. (3) When it's up and the boat is rocking and pitching, the cable attachment point is being worked constantly by most of the 1500#.

As you may have read in this forum, if the cable, its attachment, or the winch fails, the forces of the free-falling keel crushes the forward end of the trunk and very likely sinks the boat. So, wrap the keel or sink the boat? I'd rest easier if I eliminated the latter possibility by leaving the keel down on the mooring. But that's me, and it's hypothetical. Going along with Arlyn's posts on this same thread on the General forum, I chose the fin for keeping in salt water.

Dave Bristle - 1985 C-25 #5032 SR-FK-Dinette-Honda "Passage" in SW CT

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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.