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 Bow Sitting Low - Cause for Concern?		  New Topic  Reply to Topic
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SneakyP77
Deckhand

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5 Posts
Initially Posted - 07/31/2026 :  09:55:27  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hey all, I have had my 1985 Catalina 25 (Hull #5008) for a little over a month now. One of the first things I noticed when first looking at the boat was the bow sitting low in the water, made especially obvious by the boot stripe being partially submerged at the bow. I guessed it was from the anchor or all of the stuff that the previous owner had stored away in the v-berth when I was originally looking at the boat.

Well a month later, the bow is still low. I've removed basically everything from below deck. Dried out all the bilges. Removed all cushions and everything else, and even took the anchor out of the locker in order to fully assess the situation. But the forward lean remains. Any ideas? Could it be the core is saturated? Is this something to be concerned about? You'll also notice the mast is (very slightly) leaning forward in the picture. I've tightened the back stay tensioner to get the mast standing up and that also had negligible impact on the issue.

Should I be concerned?

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5925 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2026 :  10:50:24  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Does your boat have a swing keel? If so, there's an easy explanation. When a swing keel is retracted, the center of gravity moves aft. When the keel is down, that weight moves forward. When there are two people in the cockpit, the boat will float level on it's waterline. Generally, when the boat is in the water, the keel should always be down. If it's a swing keel, there's nothing wrong with it. It's just the nature of the boat design.

The C25s hull is not cored. It's solid fiberglass. Only the decks are cored.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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SneakyP77
Deckhand

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5 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2026 :  11:00:08  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Yes, it has a swing keel and yes it is down. I was wondering if the lean was related to the keel. That's a bit of a relief!

I've spent more time than I'd like to admit scouring the internet for another C25 with a similar condition but couldn't see any examples. Is this something that occurs with all swing keels, or just some? From my searching, it doesn't appear that this phenomena is well documented. Or maybe everyone else just knows to not be concerned about it.
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5925 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2026 :  11:11:29  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
It's common to all C25 swing keels. It has been discussed several times here. Here's a link to one. https://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?ARCHIVE=true&TOPIC_ID=18292&SearchTerms=swing,keel,bow,down,waterline

Always use our "search" feature when looking for info on C25s. Scroll up to find it. When you do a search, always check "archived posts" to get the most comprehensive information.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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SneakyP77
Deckhand

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5 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2026 :  11:37:02  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Hi Steve, thanks for the info and searching advice! I had tried the search function and also had the "archived posts" box ticked, can't remember what my key words were and what other settings I was using but they obviously didn't work. I appreciate your patience
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OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3517 Posts
Response Posted - 07/31/2026 :  21:39:12  Show Profile  Visit OLarryR's Homepage  Reply with Quote
In regards to the mast seemingly leaning forward, there have been postings of some owners purposely leaning the mast forward. Tightening the backstay tensioner would have little effect on the mast if the forward stay is not also adjusted. The furling rig at the bow, perhaps a small fastener needs to be added effectively lengthening the forward stay an inch or so, then readjust the backstay tensioner.

I tried blowing up your boat image to get a better look at your bootstripe. Even so, it was hard to determine if it was the original bootstripe or if sometime in the past it was replaced. It was especially hard for me to get a real good look at the bootstripe at the bow, however, that area looked like something or maybe a shadow slightly above the bootstripe. Just an outside chance the bootstripe was replaced and a bit off?
Larry
'89 Robin's Nest#5820, Potomac River/Quantico, Va
http://catalina25.homestead.com/olarryr.html
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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5492 Posts
Response Posted - 08/01/2026 :  07:04:55  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
Welcome Sneaky P77!
Congratulations on your purchase of a C25!
While the bow at waterline might seem a bit low (almost imperceptible to my eye), the hull-deck joint at the gunwales looks perfectly level.
I have an ‘85 fin keel boat, and yours appears to float at about the same attitude as mine.
Regarding your headstay-backstay ratio for raking the mast back a few degrees, you should have a turnbuckle on the forestay beneath or inside the furler.
It looks like you have a Hood Furler like mine.
If you can bring your bow up between the slip and the main dock, stand or kneel on the dock to try to peer up underneath, or try raising the furler a little bit using a halyard to see whether you’ve got some more bolt threads left on the turnbuckle so you can ease it somewhat.
Make sure that all four of your lower shrouds are loosened before hand, else you’ll be fighting those too. Then tighten the backstay and shrouds.
Is that an 8 or 9.9 HP four stroke outboard? If so, it should weigh about 100-110 pounds. The 6HP or older 2 stroke models weigh a lot less.
Regarding your anchor, always keep an 8-12 pound anchor with 20 ft of chain and 200 ft rode in the anchor locker. Besides having it as a lunch hook, it’s a good emergency brake when all else fails!
Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain — Milford, CT
Edited by - Voyager on 08/01/2026 07:17:53
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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5925 Posts
Response Posted - 08/01/2026 :  13:07:05  Show Profile  Reply with Quote
The rake of the mast is very important but easy to remedy. The amount of rake determines the amount of weather helm. If the mast leans forward, the boat will have a lee helm, which is not desirable. If the mast leans back too far, the boat will have a strong weather helm, and the pressure you'll feel on the tiller will make you arm-weary. By alternately adjusting the forestay and backstay, you can rake the mast aft very slightly to achieve a comfortable, light, weather helm. I'd guess that, if the masthead leans aft about 1 1/2 - 2", that would be about right. You'll know for sure if it's right by sailing the boat to windward in 10-12 kt winds and take notice of how hard you have to pull the tiller to keep the boat going straight. There should be a light pressure.

Since you have a backstay adjuster, before you begin to adjust the rake of the mast you must first adjust the backstay adjuster to take the sag out of the forestay and backstay, and then mark that adjustment with a piece of tape or an indelible marker. After you're done adjusting the rake of the mast, that will be the adjustment you'll use to sail to windward. Notwithstanding anything you may have read about backstay adjusters, the tension should never be more than that mark. Catalina has a masthead rig, and backstay adjusters work differently than on fractional rigs. A backstay adjuster on a fractional rig bends the mast and moves the draft forward, flattening the sail. None of that happens on a masthead rig. When sailing downwind or in light air, ease the backstay adjuster, and that will induce headstay sag, which will power up the jib. That's the benefit of a backstay adjuster on a masthead rig.
Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore
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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.