Keel System Maintenance

Bilbo · Mar 23, 2009

Hi,I'm not affiliated with CD but the CD site is offering all of the replacement parts for the lifting hardware for about $80 as a special for their "email subscribers" right now. This includes, hose, 2 very good clamps, turning ball and pin, and the type 316 SS cable. C-22 Keel Lifting Hardware Maintenance Kit (#D2186)

It is my opinion that these are the sort of parts that should be factory replacement things as one shouldn't compromise on quality when sinking is the issue.

Bilbo · Mar 23, 2009

philwsailz said:
Agreed. CD was my source for the repalcement parts, and I bought it all. Unfortunately, I bought it all about Christmas time, prior to the consolidated hardware kit!

Nobody should be intimidated by replacing all the parts. It took, what 30 minutes? More like an hour probably, but it was real easy.

30 mins. is about right actually. The hardest time I had was changing the turning ball until I wrapped a line around the groove so that it wouldn't fall through.
Of course everybody knows enough to not do these replacements in the water....

coxjam · Apr 4, 2010

Phil, I bought a 1982 Cat 22 a few months ago and took it out this easter weekend on Galveston Bay. Had a great time!!! My concern is my Keel Cable, ball, thru hull hose etc because I have now idea at all when this was done to my boat. I would love to change this on my boat and my boat lives on the trailer in my driveway at home. I don't know how to where to begin. Sounds like raising the boat (how I don't know) up on the trailer to allow the keel to be lowered some amt is the place to start. Once I lower the keel, will I look up into the hull and see what ya'll are talking about? There is no access to any of this from inside the cabin correct? Thanks, James

OldDedHed · Apr 4, 2010

I'd also be interested in how to locate this item on my '87, since I have not had this boat in the water since I bought it. I'd rather not have it go to the bottom when I launch it :cry:

Bilbo · Apr 4, 2010

Ripple
Catalina 22 Sail Number 13850

Our boats are similar:
Sea Dog
Catalina 22 Sail number 13971

This item on the 1987 is located beneath the companionway. >You have to remove the step/cooler to see it. If you change the hose, you have to disconnect the keel cable from the winch (easiest) or remove the cable from the keel and then also remove the "turning ball" temporarily. If your cable has been used some or if you don't know....I'd suggest getting the kit with the parts from C/D.
http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=1623

It appears expensive but these are the correct parts but as a suggestion, some people have considered replacing with similar items but these parts are solid quality in a critical area of safety. Until you are sure of replacement parts of equal or better quality that may be cheaper, I'd not opt for discount solutions. For example, The clamps in the kit are much better that the general hose clamps that are found in auto stores.

If the boat has been resting in the water (Moored or anchored) these parts could be worn. If not and the boat has been a trailer sailor type, the 4 keel pin bolts could need replacement more often as they can get stressed on the trailer while driving.

To replace these parts in the kit, the boat should be up on a trailer or some solid supports and the keel would need to be down a bit to get at the cable fitting on the keel. You need to check the cable for weakness all along the length and check the turning ball for flat spots in the groove area. If you are going to check these things, I'd simply opt to replace the hose section with the kit piece (It's steel reinforced hose section) and then that hose would be good for several years of service.

coxjam · Apr 5, 2010

is this the same kit for 1982 Cat 22?

Bilbo · Apr 5, 2010

Weird as it is, I don't think that this part is different for all the years.
C/D/ tries to be accurate in their descriptions and they mention nothing.
I'd assume that the only boats that are different are ones that have been "back-yard modified".

OldDedHed · Apr 6, 2010

Thank you once again for the information, Bilbo. I'll have a look at it today. The boat sits on a trailer with keel up over the winter but in the water during the summer. Trailering is pretty much just to the marina at the beginning of the season and then home at the end, and has been like that since the boat was originally purchased from what I have been told. So I guess the bolts you speak of are probably in pretty good shape.

Have a collection of stuff coming from CD today and thought I was done for now. Maybe not.

Bilbo · Apr 6, 2010

The 2 biggest issues with my 87/86 were that 1)the wood bulkheads were rotten because the upper shroud chain plates were leaking rainwater and 2) the keel cable/turning ball. I'd say that the cable hose was actually good but the turning ball stopped rotating because the keel was left in one place while in the water. Because of this the cable sawed a flat spot in the turning ball and almost cut through the cable as the boat was rocking. So, (If you can) when the boat is in the water, the keel should be down. This is good to reduce the rocking all the time at dock/mooring for the cable/lifting hardware and better for the mast shrouds.

Also if you have not found this out, check the compartment under the V berth in the very bow for water. The anchor locker has a drain line. This drain line runs out the bow near the U bolt for the trailer winch but can get clogged with mud, debris or it can leak. The water ends up in that very most forward locker inside the cabin.

OldDedHed · Apr 6, 2010

I'm lucky I guess--this boat has no real problems that I have found so far other than lack of most maintenance. I just finished compounding and polishing the hull, refinished the tiller/rudder and companionway hatch boards, and am getting ready to reave new halyards through the mast and refinish the handrails and eyebrows. There are a couple of turnbuckle t-bolts that are bent and I'm installing new shroud and stay covers. It appears watertight from above. The drain line in my anchor locker is clear, but when I opened the locker hatch this spring I found a brown mouse in his cozy little home. He'd chewed 2 of the three strands in my anchor rode just about halfway down it's length. Guess I'll be metal-taping that hatch closed this fall.

The ice is out on Sebago now but it's so early that the marina doesn't have it's docks ready yet. Just as well--I need more time to get her ready anyway.

Bilbo · Apr 6, 2010

There are a couple of turnbuckle t-bolts that are bent...

That happens usually when the mast is raised. The shrouds get turned and the T-bolts can't straighten when the mast is near to being vertical. Watch for this on the 4 shrouds that you leave attached when raising. Don't bend them around much SS loses strength quickly and fractures, I believe.

OldDedHed · Apr 10, 2010

I think the previous owner learned that the hard way--included with the gear that came with a boat are bungie cords that look like they are for holding the shrouds in towards the cabin.

By the by I sent you a PM Bilbo about a possible leaking chainplate. I think maybe the factory was having a run of this problem back in '86/87 as my boat may have the same problem :cry:.

Bilbo · Apr 10, 2010

OldDedHed said:
I think the previous owner learned that the hard way--included with the gear that came with a boat are bungie cords that look like they are for holding the shrouds in towards the cabin.

hese bungees ma be there only for trailering so that the shrouds can stay attached and somewhat neat on the road.

By the by I sent you a PM Bilbo about a possible leaking chainplate. I think maybe the factory was having a run of this problem back in '86/87 as my boat may have the same problem :cry:.

I think that it's just something that needs regular maintenance. The upper shrouds run through the deck and attach to the bulkheads and then to the inner hull liner. Actually the stress from the shrouds is one that pulls the bulkhead against the cabin ceiling.

txtowman · Apr 11, 2010

have you potted the holes in the deck for the shrouds?
It really helps with the leaks, maine sail has a tutorial on potting.

Barry B. · Apr 15, 2010

txtowman, When you refer to potting, are you talking about enlarging the holes than gouging the core out around the hole than filling with epoxy than re-drilling the hole so any leaks can't get into the core?

Keel System Maintenance

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