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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

keel depth

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stan
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Initially Posted - 06/09/2004 : 15:10:37

I know this may sound like a silly question but here it goes.
I bought a catalina 25 swing keel. It is in the water 200 miles from home port.

I am builing up the trailer I just purchased. The question is how far below the hull will the keel hang down when full retracted.

Knowing that, I will purchase bunk board brackets to support the hull.

I have found off the shelf brackets which are 12", 18" and 24" in length.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2004 : 16:12:23

this thread is still on the front page.
http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=6762
This is in the brochure section of this site.
http://www.catalina25-250.org/manbro/pictures/bro79-5.jpg

Edited by - Frank Hopper on 06/09/2004 16:14:27

stan
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2004 : 21:05:00

Thanks for your input. I spoke with Catalina tech support this afternoon. I talked about the diagram you e-mailed.
The swing keel model has a total draft keel retracted of 32 inches.
The draft is measured from the waterline and the bunks are under the boat. Therefore, the bunk tower shouldn't begrater than 32".

I really need a swing keel model's measurement from the bottom of the hull to the bottom of the keel retracted.

Anybody out there with a swing keel boat and a tape measure is greatly appreciated.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2004 : 22:48:21

The shape of the hull is pretty 'complex'.. as is the shape of the keel. I can send you some photo's via email.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/09/2004 : 23:43:02

Stan, make sure you leave enough room under the retracted keel to float on and off the trailer at the angle of a ramp. The horizontal width between the bunks is also critical and provided in the drawing. The drawing seems to measure to the ground rather than to the keel rest. If you have adjustable bunks/pads then you should be able to fine tune while you have the boat on the trailer. The difference in drawing measurements and the deduction you have made can easily be made up for with a couple 2x8s stacked as a keel rest. I recommend three supports per side for a multitude of reasons having to do with hull maintenance and weight distribution. The drawing only has a forward and aft horizontal measurement. You could ad the middle supports while the boat is on the trailer. You are not going to drag a perfect fit down there and just float on and go. You will have to do some fine tuning after you get there. I would say having adjustable pad stands that are in the middle of their adjustment at the drawing heights would serve you well.
You have not provided any details as to what "build up a trailer means", I hope you are starting with one heck of a trailer, most 25s are on marginal trailers, Do not try to go under the dual 3500 lb per axle spec. We should be on 5000 lb per axle trailers. Some people use flatbeds with cradles attached to them, I would be afraid of using a rig like that for anything but moving around a boat yard, but people have transported 25s with them.

Edited by - on

dbehling
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2004 : 02:46:30

We just purchased a Triad trailer for our Swing Keel. We are also in the middle of making adjustments to it. Luckily it was a sailboat trailer to start with pretty beefy with plenty of load capacity. It came with six adjustable bunks. We plan on adding two additional bunks toward the middle for extra support. Long bunks. The plans that have been on this website have been very helpful. We plan on doing some measuring this weekend. Also, lucily we have access to 25's being on their trailers so we can study the hull pattern too. But, we know that we will have to make adjustments once it is on the trailer. After reading a few threads, biggest concern was to make sure we keep weight off the swing.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2004 : 10:23:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by dbehling
 biggest concern was to make sure we keep weight off the swing.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Once you are on the trailer you must lower the keel onto its support to reduce the weight on the pads and to reduce forces on your keel lifting system.

Edited by - on

Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2004 : 11:11:46

I am not sure that anyone really answered the first question. Unfortunately, Encore! is in the water, with her keel in the down position where she will stay unless I run aground, or come out of the water. I THINK the answer to your question, "How far down does the swing keel come, under the hull", is (totally from memory here) something around 14" or so......I cannot give you the exact measurement, sorry. I suspect you would want 1 1/2 to 2" under that for clearance to the keel support, so that you can lower down the keel for transport.....

Wish I could be more help....

Gary B.
Vice Commodore
s/v Encore! #685 SK/SR

Edited by - on

stan
Deckhand

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USA
21 Posts

Response Posted - 06/10/2004 : 12:53:47

Thanks Gary,
The guess of 14" seems resonable. ClamBeach will be sending me an e-mail photo with a ruler next to the keel.
I'll keep all informed
Thanks again!!!

Edited by - on

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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.