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 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Keel trunk damage/defect? I would like advice.		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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cdscott
Deckhand

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USA
15 Posts
Initially Posted - 03/29/2002 :  10:31:24  Show Profile
It is that time of year again. I am painting the bottom. I have decided to move Free Indeed ('79 sk/tr) from her trailer mooring to a mooring in Pensacola Bay. Well, really in a cove off East Bay at Peterson Point.
Enough small talk.

While sanding around the front of the keel trunk I discovered several hairline cracks in the fiberglass. None more than 1.5 inches long. However, I also discovered something else. About .5 inches aft of the keel bolt mountings I discovered a hole about the size of a dime. I poked the blade of my pocketknife in the hole and found that it was over 1.5 inches deep. With a little prying, I started getting old bondo-type filling to fall out. I took my grinder and when I finished opening up the void I found what appears to have been a bubble in the original fiberglass that is about 1.25-1.5 inches ling, as much as .75 inches wide and as much at 2 inches deep.

I say “appears to have been a bubble in the original fiberglass” because I am no expert in these matters. However, the inside edges are smooth and do not have the fibers protruding one would expect if a crack or gouge had occurred.

Two questions:
1. How do I fill it to insure maximum strength around the keel bolts?
2. Has anyone ever heard of this type of “defect” from the factory?

I have another question that Val will probably like to hear; has anyone ever converted the swing keel to a fixed keel using the existing keel mounted in the “up” position? I have sailed many times with the keel up due to ignorance and/or laziness. The first when I bought the boat and did not know about the keel, (stupid me), and the other because the weather was semi-calm and I did not have a lot of time to sail, (stupid me).

My first sailboat was a Compac 23 with a full length fixed keel. It seems the C25 swing keel could be used to create the same configuration. I don’t use the boat to race in a C25 class, so I am only concerned with the safety and sailing characteristics of such a conversion.

Any thoughts or suggestions?


Douglas Scott, Brandon MS
dougscott@cmams.com
#1459 - Free Indeed, 1979 Tall rig, Swing keel
"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be FREE INDEED." John 8:36
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tinob
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1883 Posts
Response Posted - 03/30/2002 :  08:52:33  Show Profile
Doug,

Good morning..begging your indulgence, but I'll pass on the keel question except to say it's doable. Now that factory blemish that you speak of sounds very much like a to-hull outlet. On my boat the forward sink outlet is further forward than the hole you are concerned about. Just to the rear of the speedo/debth sending units. The only holes in the area of which you speak are the four recessed bolt holes for the keel bolt hangers. At least that is my experience with one '83 Cat 25.
Val on the hard DAGNABIT

Val Bisagni
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BCain
Navigator

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USA
103 Posts
Response Posted - 03/30/2002 :  15:13:14  Show Profile
Doug, I cannot answer your question about the hole in your hull, but, I often sail with my keel up, Wind Shadow does not point quite as well and is slightly more tender until she stiffens up when the wind is up. But, overall, I have not noticed any other problems and besides, Gentlemen do not go to weather.
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Derek Crawford
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3321 Posts
Response Posted - 03/30/2002 :  16:39:06  Show Profile
Doug - "This Side Up" has a fixed keel. We chose it because the C22 we owned had a swing keel - racing one day with the keel DOWN, but not locked, we broached, the keel collapsed and the boat turtled and then did the ultimate bottom job...be very careful!
Derek
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Tim Colbert
Deckhand

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USA
23 Posts
Response Posted - 04/06/2002 :  08:39:49  Show Profile
As I as repairing my keel trunk last season I came across several "bubbles" in the original fibergalss of varying sizes. I used my Dremel to to rough up the surface and packed them full of thickened epoxy.



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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.