On a swing keel Catalina 25 does anyone know of a keel that has fallen off due to corrosion as the boat is kept in salt water? It is an older 25 and it was suggested I haul the boat to inspect the bolt? thanks
The swing keel on a Cat 25 weights 1500 lbs. so be careful when working around it. The keel is bolted up through the bottom of the hull, so the only way to drop the keel a foot to inspect the pin is out of the water. The raising cable can be damaged from use and should be inspected, also where this cable goes through the hull below the winch is a turning bearing that can wear out. It only can be inspected when the hull is out of the water and is assessable under the black rubber tube that the cable goes through. New parts can be ordered from Catalina Direct.
Friend has sailed trailer boats and maintained trailer boats for 50 years, here in the mountains of western Pennsylvania. Over the years he has maintained a couple boats in which the bolts will work loose mainly from trailering vibration.
If you drop the keel, check the bolts often when trailering or after in the water a couple months,
check tightness of bolts a couple times for safety.
Thanks again. This boat has been in salt water for over two years and has no trailer.
Sounds like a keel coming off while in the water does not happen.
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