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 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Swing keel in large waves		  New Topic  Topic Locked
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JoergK
Navigator

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USA
140 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/12/2005 :  12:17:59  Show Profile
When I come in from the ocean thru Manasquan Inlet, often there's a formidable swell built up in front of the inlet - when there's a distant storm anywhere in the Atlantic it gets to be a real roller coaster ride. I wonder, if a wave catches me in the quarter or, heavens forbid, broadside, could the keel "collapse" (i.e. fold back), with potentially severe consequences?
Joerg
2002C250 WK "BerLyn"
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Brooke Willson
Admiral

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USA
983 Posts
Response Posted - 07/12/2005 :  17:39:07  Show Profile
I've crossed the Chesapeake in 5 foot waves. The swing keel never moved.

Brooke
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Gary B.
Admiral

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USA
969 Posts
Response Posted - 07/13/2005 :  03:30:33  Show Profile
My swing keel has been steady as a rock in up to 7' waves on one occasion. Made me very nervous, though. I have heard a horror story about a swinger in VERY rough offshore seas that was actually dropping off big waves and the keel began to shift around in the trunk. He called for help.......then NOTHING..GONE......could be an urban, maritime legend, but it gives me pause when I am tempted to take my SK off the coast here in Washington State. It can get really nasty very quickly and shelter can be a long ways off. I feel lots better in relatively protected water with a swinger.....

Gary B.
s/v Encore! #685 SK/SR
Fleet 94 Captain
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts
Response Posted - 07/13/2005 :  12:19:26  Show Profile
IMHO, the circumstances that you describe are the most dangerous for a swing keel boat for the reasons that you suggest. The best idea is to avoid it, as Gary suggests, but, if you get into such a situation and have sea room, I think it would help to lower the sails and deploy a drogue to keep the stern to the seas and to discourage the boat from racing down the faces of waves. What you want to avoid is having the stern slue off to one side, and then have a second wave roll the boat.

Also, when you know that the inlet might present serious risks to your boat in certain circumstances, you should consider the alternative of staying out until the conditions abate.
Edited by - Steve Milby on 07/13/2005 12:31:04
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Esteban
Navigator

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139 Posts
Response Posted - 07/13/2005 :  12:37:40  Show Profile
Ditto on everthing said thus far. I will add that last Memorial Day Weekend I got caught by surprise, on the Chesapeake, in a thunderstorm pushing 40kts winds and easily four foot waves. The swing keel did just fine and never moved. It was that sight and sound of the outboard getting submerged momentarily that really scared me. We took a good hour and a half of this stuff before we made it to the nearest creek. A Catalina 30 that was with us got almost knocked down - albeit he still had sails up. Swing keel did just fine.
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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.