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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Keel paint

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LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Initially Posted - 03/05/2002 : 15:35:20

We are proud new owners of a 1985 C25! Unfortunately the weather in MI is snowy and cold, but when it warms up I think I will need to repaint my new keel. It looks rusty around the edges and a bit banged up. The bottom of the boat I think is OK (like I would really know at this point!) Would I have to remove the keel to paint it, or can I do it as it is on the trailer? I think I have pretty good access to it - it's sitting in my driveway with snow on it right now! What kind of paint would I use? Thanks!

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2002 : 16:07:24

Congratulations on your "new" Catalina 25, and welcome to the club.

We will be much better able to answer your questions if you always remember to include a specific description of your boat. Over the years there have been a bewildering number of factory options offered by Catalina. In particular, there have been several very different keel designs.

What year is your boat? Does it have a swing keel, fin keel, or wing keel?

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2002 : 18:14:19

Obviously I'm new at this, so sorry about the lack of information. It is a standard rig, 1985 Catalina 25 with a Swing Keel. The hull is in great shape and the boat itself, I think, is in good shape. I have some repairs to do on the antennae and electrical connections, and I think a fair amount of the rigging needs to be replaced - but all in good time.

The keel is rusty and I think needs to be sanded or something, hence my original question. I also think I need to replace the keel cable, and I just don't even want to think about replacing the keel pin yet. Any information you can give me would be appreciated!

Edited by - on

Leon Sisson
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1893 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2002 : 21:44:19

I encourage you to find the time to search or browse the archives on this message board, and also the old Catalina 25/250 archives on the Trailer Sailor website. (I don't think they're still visible on any of the obvious menus, but they're still accessable on Todd's servers if you use the search option.) For a "new" Catalina 25 owner, there's more there to be learned from other owners than you can probably imagine.

Here's a link to a response I posted to a question about swing keel rust on another board:

<http://trailersailor.com/forums/tsarchives6/index.cgi?read=154102>

As for working on the swing keel out of the boat, I had my swing keel removed at a marina. I reinstalled it myself at home in my driveway. It's not child's play, but it can be done. Here's a link you might find usefull:

<http://www.cadvision.com/smithb/tellme/swkeelinstall.html>

I suggest you take special note of the photo near the bottom with the keel hanging from threaded rods. That may hold the key to servicing your pivot pin hardware with the least expense and effort. I hope you find these links helpful. Let us know of you have other swing keel maintenance questions, or any other Catalina 25 questions.

If I may presume, I get the impression you've just acquired a Catalina 25, and you've got it out of the water, and you're fired up with enthusiasm to take care of any safety and reliability issues that have to be done with the boat hauled out. (If so, then good for you!)

My short list might include:<ul><li>Swing keel system preventative maintenance (a weighty topic<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>).</li>
<li>"To-hull" to thru-hull w/seacock upgrades.</li>
<li>Blister repair/barrier coat/bottom paint.</li>
<li>Rudder gudgeon servicing (at least the lower one).</li>
<li>Bow eye inspection.</li>
</ul>

Things to consider while the rig is down:<ul><li>Very detailed inspection, especially standing rigging.</li>
<li>Upgrade aluminum spreader bases to stainless steel.</li>
<li>Upgrade 4-bolt bow fitting to newer 6-bolt stem fitting w/roller.</li>
<li>Upgrade lower "chainplates" (eye-bolts, really) from 3/8" to 1/2"</li>
<li>Take a long hard look at the mast electrical wiring.</li>
</ul>

Not all of the tasks listed apply to any one boat (well, except mine<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>), but they're all worth checking into, in my opinion.

Good luck!<img src=icon_smile.gif border=0 align=middle>

-- Leon Sisson

Edited by - on

Bristle
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
834 Posts

Response Posted - 03/05/2002 : 23:40:53

<BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>quote:<hr height=1 noshade id=quote>
My short list might include:<ul><li>Swing keel system preventative maintenance (a weighty topic<img src=icon_smile_big.gif border=0 align=middle>).</li>
<li>"To-hull" to thru-hull w/seacock upgrades.</li>
<li>Blister repair/barrier coat/bottom paint.</li>
<li>Rudder gudgeon servicing (at least the lower one).</li>
<li>Bow eye inspection.</li>
</ul>
Things to consider while the rig is down:<ul><li>Very detailed inspection, especially standing rigging.</li>
<li>Upgrade aluminum spreader bases to stainless steel.</li>
<li>Upgrade 4-bolt bow fitting to newer 6-bolt stem fitting w/roller.</li>
<li>Upgrade lower "chainplates" (eye-bolts, really) from 3/8" to 1/2"</li>
<li>Take a long hard look at the mast electrical wiring.</li>
</ul>
<hr height=1 noshade id=quote></BLOCKQUOTE id=quote>

From what I found on my '85 standard rig fin keel model, some of these upgrades were standard by then. The '85 has thru-hulls (flush to the exterior), stainless spreader bases, and a stem fitting that bolts to the hull (although no integral roller). I can't say about the lower chainplates--don't know the dimension on mine, but they seem pretty stout.

The frames around my upper chainplates needed rebedding--a very easy task. Replacing the lower gudgeon was simple, but the "heavy duty" model is overkill.

I recommend ordering the C-25 Handbook from Catalina Direct for a few bucks. They're a great source for parts and upgrades for our boats (as the handbook points out), and a fine organization to do business with. Check out catalinadirect.com. And stick around this board... Many dozens of owners ready to share their knowledge and experiences with every aspect of your boat: PRICELESS!

BTW, I don't have a swinger, but just keep in mind that the rusty thing you're looking at weighs 1500#, so removing and replacing is a serious undertaking. I'm sure you'll get some ideas here about how it should be coated.

Spring is near!

Dave Bristle, 1985 C-25 SR-FK #5032 "Passage" in CT

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2002 : 10:04:03

If you're not up to the task of removing your keel for transport to a sandblasting facility - here's a compromise. My Trail-Rite trailer had a channel welded to the frame under the keel (I don't think the EZ-Loader has this.) I cut this channel off and simply lowered the keel down onto the axles. This gave me access to the trailing edge of the keel. I left the winching cable attached and the profile on the top of the keel stayed inside the keel trunk - BUT I STILL MADE A PAIR OF BRACES WHICH I CLAMPED TO THE TRAILER FOR AN ADDED MARGIN OF SAFETY. I used a 4.5" angle grinder on the entire keel. There's a whole host of products for painting the keel - I would recommend an epoxy water barrier product like Interlux System 2000.

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ(Ode to Joy)

[url="http://catalina25-250.org/photo0.htm/"]<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/photo/ode075.jpg" border=0>[/url]

Edited by - OJ on 03/06/2002 10:05:28

Edited by - on

LeighMarie
Navigator

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USA
188 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2002 : 11:41:47

WOW! After reading what you all have gone through, maybe my old 14 foot Rebel was enough for me! Seriously, the information is very helpful and is greatly appreciated. I did follow the links for the keel and even though it seems to be a very daunting task, it doesn't look unsurmountable. However, as there are many, many other things I need to learn and fix on the boat, I'm not going to tackle taking the keel off yet. If something happens this first year because of this decision, then you all are witnesses and can come back and say "I told ya so!"

Steve's (Ode to Joy's owner) is probably the most practical for what I think I can do with the keel yet this spring. I also have a Trail-rite trailer with the channel. The guy I bought it from didn't get the keel into the channel and so it's setting off to the side on a supporting bar (which I don't think is the axle), but it allows me to get to almost all of the trailing edge also without doing anything to the trailer. (I think there's plywood in that channel that is all rotted anyway) So, I think I will just sand it all down and recoat it.

My winch cable is frayed a bit so I may look at replacing that. People refer to Catalina Direct. Does anyone have that number? I hope that process wouldn't be too difficult to do. In fact, the winch under the stairs is hardly bolted on and so I need to repair that anyway. Someone else referred to a manual I can get from Catalina Direct so I think that would be helpful in securing the winch housing also.

Thanks for your help!

Dave & Sharon on "LeighMarie"
Hull #5128

Edited by - on

John Mason
Admiral

Members Avatar

USA
687 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2002 : 14:36:32

Here's the website

http://www.catalinadirect.com/index1.html

and here's the phone numbers

Order Desk 1-800/959-SAIL (7245)
Monday - Friday 8:30 - 5:00 Pacific tine

Technical Support 916/843-1971
Tuesday - Friday 10:00 - 5:00 Pacific time

John Mason - Ali Paroosa
1982 - FK/SR #3290

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 03/06/2002 : 15:57:58

Dave, I didn't want to share too much detail while offering my suggestion - but if you're inclined: I lowered the bottom end of the keel with the winch cable of course. I lowered the top end with a hydraulic car jack. Again, even when you lower the top end - part of it will remain up inside the trunk. Remember the braces.
I think you will find that even this "compromise" method to be pretty ambitious. None of it is rocket science - just time consuming.

Steve Madsen
#2428
OJ(Ode to Joy)

[url="http://catalina25-250.org/photo0.htm/"]<img src="http://www.catalina25-250.org/photo/ode075.jpg" border=0>[/url]

Edited by - on

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