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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Is There Such A Thing

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dbehling
1st Mate

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USA
68 Posts

Initially Posted - 10/12/2004 : 01:49:46

Hello all,

I was showing some pictures of our boat to a fellow Catalina owner, a Catalina 22 owner. He also has a swing keel. As we were talking he mentioned something that caught my attention. A keel lock. He said his 22 has a hole in the keel, under the cushions that you put a bolt thru to lock the keel. He assumed our boat would also have that, being a Catalina swing keel.

Now, I have examed closely the keel area that is viewable. I have not seen any holes a bolt whould go thru, or even seen any threads on this website that there is such a bolt.

I know there is a HUGE weight difference in the keels of a 22 verses a 25. But...I thought I would put it out there to see if I was missing something?????

1979 SR/SK L-Dinette "Windy Britches" Sail #1205

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5913 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2004 : 09:47:49

There is no similar device on the C25. The keel weighs nearly three times that of the C22. Its weight alone should hold it down. The only way that could be a problem is if the boat turned turtle. It's extremely unlikely that a C25 would turn turtle while being sailed in the conditions for which it was designed. Wind alone can knock the boat down, but it probably can't roll it over. It would take a big wave to roll the boat over the rest of the way. My best guess is that Catalina couldn't figure out how to engineer a functional locking device for the C25 swing keel that could take the stress of a roll-over, but, if you stay out of big seas, there should never be a problem.

Truth be told, I used to have a 1970's vintage C22, and don't believe the locking device on it was strong enough to prevent the C22 keel from collapsing in a roll-over, and it comforted C22 owners into thinking that the keel wouldn't collapse in a roll-over, when it really wouldn't work. So, Catalina had a choice. Is it better to put a non-functional locking device on the C25 that would give the owners false assurance, or, is it better to leave it without such a device, so you don't give the owners a false sense of assurance? I think they made the right choice. When you look at the swing keel mechanism, it's obvious that the boat must never be allowed to turn turtle. Once you understand that, you know you should use good judgment and stay out of big seas.

Edited by - on

ClamBeach
Master Marine Consultant

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3072 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2004 : 09:48:16

Not missing a thing... there's no keel lock on a 25. The top of my 25's keel fits very tightly into the keel trunk when lowered. Doesn't seem to be inclined to swing 'up' without a substantial amount of help from the winch.

Edited by - on

Lightnup
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1016 Posts

Response Posted - 10/12/2004 : 19:52:43

Not bad...less than 30 secs apart in posting responses.

Edited by - on

sweetcraft
Admiral

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USA
816 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 00:14:48

The lock for a 22 keel does work as several 22's on Eagle Lake, CA have had knock downs with no problems other than upseting the crew but an older 22 had the problem. Its been several years but a 22 did knock down with 3 men aboard doing everything wrong and after the knock down they all heard the keel return to the hull while they were in the water and it rolled over and turtled. It floated for several minutes before sinking stern first. They all survived thanks to the ice chest and a passing fishing boat. Later after some discussion the skipper when asked about the keel lock said he never knew the boat had one, he's a lawyer too.

I have knocked down 3 times with my C25 #1490 during races, 2 on Folsum and one on Whiskey Town Lake. The first two were with spinaker during gusts and we still won the race. The other was with a 155 and in gusts again while racing. No problem with the boat as it again righted itself and we were able to continue. As the skipper I would end up on the low side in the cockpit and no water ever came into the boat and I never got wet, only one of the crew in all knock downs ever got wet and the life line kept him with the boat. Our confidence in the boat is very high and the crew has high praises for the design.

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 10/13/2004 : 00:51:21

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by sweetcraft
 he never knew the boat had one, he's a lawyer too.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Go figure . . .

Not suprised the stern went down first. Experienced one knock down with my 22 and took on several gallons of water very quickly through the deck mounted stern vents.

Not sure I'd bet money on the 22's keel lock in the event of a roll-over.

Edited by - OJ on 10/13/2004 00:54:32

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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.