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 Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums
 Catalina 25 Specific Forum
 Very loose fixed keel		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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Kluane25
Deckhand

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Canada
2 Posts
Initially Posted - 10/26/2025 :  17:04:09  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi there fellow sailors,
I live on and sail in Georgian Bay Canada.
I have owned my Catalina 25 for 8 yrs.
I am completely embarrassed to say I have not ever tightened my keel.
In the spring I noticed water coming into the bilge on a hard port and starboard tack.
A sailing buddy told me my keel was likely loose.
Well sure enough when my girl was in the slings being hauled out for the season last week, the keel was shuddering with every move of the travel lift. She is on her trailer now.

I mean I know how to tighten bolts in general, but not my keel bolts. I don’t even know where to begin other than the right size socket.
I will take any suggestions, tips and direction.

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5413 Posts
Response Posted - 10/27/2025 :  08:59:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
I have that nightmare from time to time. Just sailing along in choppy seas and the boat comes down hard, and POP! There goes the fixed keel while the boat does a 180° capsize!

First things first. Which cabin layout do you have? Standard is with two long settees, port and starboard, with a drop-down table. Mine is a dinette style, with a starboard settee, and two opposing benches on the port side with a table in between.

Access to the 4 keel bolts is easier with the latter. Others can advise you on accessing the bolts if you have the former conventional cabin layout.

Normally, the nuts on the keel bolts do NOT work themselves free. Rather, what happens is the wooden frame of the boat, encapsulated in fiberglass will begin to deteriorate, and the keel will get what’s known as the “Catalina Smile”.

Tho very concerning, this condition is not fatal if you catch it in time. Which you have. The cure is not trivial, but has been managed as a DIY project by many sailors.

May I suggest that you begin by using the forum search tool for “Catalina Smile”, “loose keel”, or “keel bolts”.
You will find lots of information about the Catalina swing keel, which is a high maintenance item, however, that an entirely different matter. You have a fixed keel, not a swing keel.

Good Luck!
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
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Kluane25
Deckhand

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Canada
2 Posts
Response Posted - 10/27/2025 :  17:27:39  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Thank you Voyager,
I have the same layout as you. Just reading your reply has calmed my nerves about this.
I will check out your suggestions.
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5907 Posts
Response Posted - 10/27/2025 :  18:40:55  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The C25's fin keel is attached to the boat's keel stub with bolts that extend into the bilge. Under those bolts is a thin layer of fiberglass. Under that thin layer of fiberglass is a piece of plywood. If moisture gets under that thin layer of fiberglass, the plywood gets wet and disintegrates. Catalina recommends that you cut out that thin layer of fiberglass, remove the plywood and replace it with layers of fiberglass. That is a permanent repair. Here's a link to a thread that discusses it. Scroll down to the last post in the thread and you'll find an engineering drawing done by Catalina that describes how to make the repair. https://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=31969&SearchTerms=keel stub
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
Edited by - Steve Milby on 10/27/2025 18:46:53
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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.