Removed the keel hangers from my Boomaroo 22 (Australian made Catalina) to check if the PO had maintained it only to discover the hangers are completely different from the ones I received from Catalina Direct (See pics). I was under the impression the boat was 1982 model. Does any one here know why the hangers are so different. Is it an older model ? I found the hangers were in good condition and the pivot pin was stainless steel and a stainless steel tube to support the pin had been welded through the keel. All professionally done by the look of it. I cleaned the parts and mounted them all back onto the boat except for the st/st bolts which I replaced. Hoping someone here might know what's going on.
Different Style Keel Hangers
- Thread starter Guardian
- Start date
two versions of keel hangers
I believe you are correct in thinking that the longer, thinner castings are the older castings; just like mine on my 1973 C22.
I believe you are correct in thinking that the longer, thinner castings are the older castings; just like mine on my 1973 C22.
Thanks for that Paul, I had my suspicions. If I have a problem in the future are there replacements I can purchase ? I have not seen these on CD web site.
Those new castings are thicker so that you can cut them to fit. The object is to remove the gap that allows the keel to travel from side to side, which causes the keel hole to wallow out.
After you measure what your gap should be, put them in a vice and cut the excess with a 4 inch grinder from Harbor Freight. I think it's a brass alloy and cuts easily.
Add the shim kit on the top end of the keel and that will keep your keel straight.
I did all of the above and my keel is snug with no keel thunk when lowering.
After you measure what your gap should be, put them in a vice and cut the excess with a 4 inch grinder from Harbor Freight. I think it's a brass alloy and cuts easily.
Add the shim kit on the top end of the keel and that will keep your keel straight.
I did all of the above and my keel is snug with no keel thunk when lowering.
Nahart51 nailed it. The new hanger hardware is deliberately thicker. Your original sides look the same as the ones I had. Just do whatever you have to in order to make the new ones fit. I had to bore out the holes, shave the corners and sand down the width. The brass is soft and easy work, I used a belt sander instead of a grinder for my modifications.
Thanks for the advise. I have the shims from CD so I'll put them on. The old hangers are in good condition so I won't replace as yet with the new. Though I still can't get my head around fitting the new hangers. I get the idea of the width of the new hangers to close the gap to the keel and cutting and sanding to make fit. But in using the new hangers I would think the keel would hang lower (or maybe it doesn't sit flush with the hull) and there would be a gap between the top of the hanger and the weldment the bolts screw into. It wouldn't be a snug fit and I can imagine marine growth filling the void. Is my thinking off or is this correct ?
The old hanger could last forever but that is not the point of replacing it. The wider hanger is meant to prevent this. The keel will hang a little lower, perhaps by an inch. It will fit snug to the glassed in threaded weldments but it will need to be machined with a grinder or sander until it does. Try chip ford's website, he may have taken a picture of the final result of what the hanger looks like once modified and installed.
The pic gives a good understanding of what is being achieved by the wider hanger. Now I'm thinking I should have changed them. I'll leave them for a year so then drop the keel again and change them.