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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Swing Keel Raising / Lowering

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zviruga
Deckhand

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USA
3 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/02/2003 : 01:28:29

Hi There,

I recently purchased a 82 Catalina 25 SK. It is sitting in the water (San Pedro ca.) and did not come with a trailer, I plan to keep it in the water and sail it to Marina Del Rey. I have never owned a swing keel boat before and was hoping someone could tell me:

1. How is the keel raised and lowered / where is the winch located
2. Has anyone had any problems with corrosion.
3. what type of routine maintanence should I be performing.
4. Issues while sailing to be aware of

Thanks,
Mike

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2003 : 03:19:17

In a nut-shell, the winch is under and behind the companionway steps. There should be a winch handle somewhere about. Raise by cranking clockwise about 30 revolutions. To go down, just reverse. If all is well, a clutch will release the cable smoothly. You'll know she's down when the tension goes away. Go another rev or so, and the infamous keel cable "hum" when underway will probably disappear.

Yes, there surely can be corrosion problems. If I were you, I would leave the keel in the down position until I got her somewhere where you could lift the boat out and inspect and likely replace the cable (the weakest link in the system). You can get a replacement cable, pin, turning ball, etc. from Catalina Direct for little more than $50 or so. It's not a hard fix, but the boat must be on a trailer or on the hard. I would feel a bit uneasy sailing in the ocean until I was sure all was well down there, although leaving the keel down would preclude a nasty cable break temporarily at least.

Check the amount of "slop" in the keel pivot pin as well. These can wear to the point that the swinger will slop and bang around in the trunk, posing the potential for real trouble. Mine never has, but others get loose and the keel needs to be sleeved or rebored and a new pin installed. A sloppy swing keel needs attention.

Remember, too, that the swinger is a great sailer, but only has 1500 # of ballast, compared to hundeds more for the fin. You can get overpowered a bit more easily. Be careful out there. Should you capsize the boat to the point that the mast goes in the drink, the swing keel could fold up into the boat and "horrible things may happen".

Don't panic; I have had a swinger since 1983 and have never come really close, but I am aware that it could happen. I don't do open ocean work in this boat for just that reason, but I have seen plenty of big waves and nasty winds on the Columbia River and in the San Juan Islands and almost always felt pretty safe (but they are relatively "protected" compared to coastal cruising)....Follow this forum; check out the tech tips and you will learn a lot about this boat; I have. G'luck

Gary B.
Encore! SK/SR #685

Edited by - Gary B. on 10/02/2003 03:21:53

Edited by - on

osmepneo
Past Commodore

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USA
1420 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2003 : 08:32:56

<font face='Tahoma'>Mike,

there have alot of discussion over the years about the problems and preventive maintenace steps for the swing keel. You might want to search the archives to research past threads, probably using 'swing keel" as the search variable.

Maintenance is critical. And can not be emphasized enough. Maintenance done, and most of the problems associated with the swing keel will go away.

Good luck with your baby, and take advantage of the association web site. This site is paid for by the dues association members pay; I encourage you to join the association.

Again, welcome.</font id='Tahoma'>

Don Peet
c25, 1665, osmepneo, sr/wk
The Great Sacandaga Lake, NY

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svmoxie
Past Commodore

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USA
331 Posts

Response Posted - 10/02/2003 : 10:18:31

Mike,

When your sailing put it down and leave it down. Once you have inspected it and you feel comfortable with the condition of the system it is better to leave the boat with the keel raised if you are storing in salt water. This will help to reduce the corrosion on the system. I inspect mine a few times a year and automaticly replace the cable and turning ball every second year. Certainly this is over-kill but it is very cheap insurance.

One issue of the swing keel while sailing is "cable hum" if you have tension on the keel cable while sailing the flow of water across it will cause it to vibrate. You will hear and feel this as a hum under the boat that will increase in intensity as you increase your speed. Some people like it, some people don't. If you don't, a simple fix is to crank the winch a few more turns to put some slack in the cable.

I would plan to haul out as soon as you can to inspect what is there. At a minimum you will want to replace the cable and turning ball. You will also want to look a the condition of your bottom paint. If you use shore power or are in a marina you will need to have a couple of zincs on the keel and you probably should anyway.

Let us know how things go with your inspection and your trip.

Clif Thompson
Treasurer C-25/250 National Association.
svMoxie '81 25 sk

Edited by - svmoxie on 10/02/2003 10:21:10

Edited by - on

JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts

Response Posted - 10/03/2003 : 16:29:07

Clif,
you wrote that keeping the keel raised reduces corrosion. Why would that be? And why would I put stress on the cable with the raised keel when the boat is moored or docked? While I'm not with the boat I'd feel better knowing the keel is all the way down.

Joerg
86C25 SR-SK Second Wind
<img src="http://im1.shutterfly.com/procserv/47b3d632b3127cce8cc1e80685990000000010" border=0>

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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.