I have owned a Macgregor 26 w/trailer and a Buccaneer 24 w/o trailer, never took a sailing lesson (probably should) and would like to get back into sailing with a trailer sailboat. My plan was to store the boat at home on the trailer in the winters and launch for the summer, keeping the boat on a mooring and back on the trailer for the winter. I have been thinking of buying a Catalina 22 with a fixed keel that appears to be in good shape and is within my price range. The boat comes with a home-made trailer that has been sitting for two or three years. The only issue that I saw was that the keel has a little rusty crack on the front top area (about 2” long). Another thing to consider is that the trailer has one of the metal bars that run the width of the trailer higher than the keel, so that if you were launching the boat, as the boat slides backwards the keel will hit this support. I was looking for some opinions from sailboat owners; especially from any Catalina 22 fixed keel owners? Thanks
Catalina 22 fixed keel
- Thread starter Nautical1974
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I have a fixed wing keel, and LOVE IT! I had a swing keel version, and sailer her for years back in the midwest. and I sure don't miss the maintenance. If you look in my albums under my public profile, you'll see a lot of pictures of her on the trailer, and on the hoist. The wing keel allows for easy launching at a ramp vs the fin keel. We keep her at a yacht club with a crane, so I made a 1" rope sling to lift her slightly off the trailer, then pull the trailer out, and lift her into the water. Works slick! We have a large fleet of fin keel Capri-22's at the club and they lift from the keel. I'm working on making an mount to also lift by the keel. I'll sister 4 of the 6 keel bolts. If you only have a small rust stain, I would first grind it out a little and fill it and see how that works. That is as long as you don't get any water in the bildge. Also, check the torque on the keel bolts, look up the numbers, it's not as much as you would think. make sure they are at the proper torque. You're going to like the stability of the fixed keel, but there are draw backs, lauching without a crane is probably number one.
Don
Don
I'm thinking that I could probably do the initial launch myself on the ramp with some type of extension for the trailer, but I will need the crane to get the boat back on the trailer. If you have an email, I can email you some pictures of the boat so you can see what I'm talking about and the condition of the boat.
Don, I just went to your site and looked at the pictures of your boat. Very nice. You have the same motor as we do. We purchased ours a few years back and love it. You have done a nice job with the boat, congrats. Nautical, we have a swing keel, but I think it we owned a fix keel I would launch with a lift. There are to many things that can go wrong the other way, and it is in for the season anyway. Worth the money. Good luck with the boat and keep us posted.
Dale
Dale
Thanks Dale, we really enjoy the boat. The MK-II version has so much more room in the cabin than our old original version had. I'm thinking about installing a full marine head forward, similar to the system I had on my old 1980 C-22. Also, on the list is self tailing winches, new sails, with the main being full batten, loose footed,(I don't race), and charging system on the little Honda.
I would agree with Dale, modify or what ever you need to do to correct the trailer issue, if you can't recover her, don't launch her. It would help if you could post some pictures of the issues your talking about right here on the message's.
Don
I would agree with Dale, modify or what ever you need to do to correct the trailer issue, if you can't recover her, don't launch her. It would help if you could post some pictures of the issues your talking about right here on the message's.
Don
Don & Dale - I've posted a few pictures on my profile of the areas of interest and some extras to review the conditions of the boat. Thanks in advance for your input on my post.
Part of the problem might be that Catalina recommends the fixed keel boats, (fin and wing), that the keel is supported by the trailer, in fact, recommends the keel support 60% of the weight. Possible with the un-supported keel may be the cause of this issue. On that old of a boat, that probably has missed some periodical maintenance, you might want to take the time to drop the keel so it can be inspected, cleaned, sealed, and torqued so you don't ever have to worry about it in the future.
Don
Don
Don -Thanks again for the input, this could be a deal breaker for me because after I fix the keel, I still have to modify the trailer. I would hate to let this one go.
If I negotiate any lower the boat might be free. I will keep looking for a swing that fits my budget.Maybe that can be used in your favor in the negotiation process? Good luck.....
Paphman- did you get a chance to look at the photos I posted about this boat? What do you think? I really like the boat, but the trailer is an issue for me. I looking at a swing keel for sale in my area, but are the fin keel version more solid than the swing keel boats in terms of construction?
trailer mods
The trailer needs some minor modification. this could be done while the boat is on the mooring.
The 2 aft crossmembers could be cut, and a length of 4" channel could be welded in the slot making a u shaped support for the keel.
Some guide posts on the sides and I think it would be a piece of cake.
for a couple hundred more you could replace the axle with a 4" or 6" drop axle and launching would be easier.
boat on a rope method will be very effective on that setup.
Sid
The trailer needs some minor modification. this could be done while the boat is on the mooring.
The 2 aft crossmembers could be cut, and a length of 4" channel could be welded in the slot making a u shaped support for the keel.
Some guide posts on the sides and I think it would be a piece of cake.
for a couple hundred more you could replace the axle with a 4" or 6" drop axle and launching would be easier.
boat on a rope method will be very effective on that setup.
Sid
nautical, we have a swing keel boat, and I have no first hand knowledge with the keel model. I find the swing keel to be very nice, but you have to keep on top of it. Do not let things go if they need replacement etc. If the boat you are going to look at has a swing keel and it looks like it has not been taken care of, then think hard about it. The people that race like the swing keel. If you are going to sail it in salt water, then the fix keel may be better. This is what I have heard many say, but again I have no first hand knowledge of this. The five foot draft of the swing, makes for a nice pointing boat, and is very stable for a boat of this displacement. On the other hand, the people that have the wing or fin keel boats seem very happy with them. If you are not sure about the condition of the keel on the boat you looked at, try and find someone who can help you. There are alot of C-22 boats around, so take your time. I hope this helps alittle.
Dale
Dale
Paphman- The boat that I get will be moored in salt water all summer, that's why the fin keel cat that I saw is very appealing to me. You are correct, I need someone with more knowledge than me to look at this boat. The trailer is another story. I will send an update of which direction I go. Thanks again for your answers.
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