25 wing keel

[R.W.Landau]

Can anyone tell me about the wing keel Cat 25? When did they start producing them? Are the wings effective? Do they come with diesels? How do they compare in preformance to the fixed or shoal keel?Does the wing keel provide enough ballast to maintain a stable seaworthy boat?r.w.landau

 

[Brad Williams]

R.W. Wkhere do you sail in the "burgh"

I lived there a decade and a half ago...just wondered.I think the Cat 25 wing came about with the rest of the winged Catalina line -- I think that was about Nov. 86 or so.IMHO, the winged 25 is the best of the fleet -- but I don't think they made as many of the wings as they did the fin or swing. Yes, there are diesels -- again the wing PLUS the diesel are rare, considering the total post 86 population of 25s.I doubt that you'll hear anyone say it isn't as seaworthy -- certainly the wing won't go to weather like a fin or swing -- but life is a compromise. Another configuration to consider in your thoughts is tall versus standard rig. It would probably depend on how and where you sail but with the wing, I'd be inclined to stay with the standard rigging -- some may argue that point.Those are my thoughts/opinions. Maybe someone will provide some facts on numbers produced, etc.Regards,Brad

 

[R.W.Landau]

Brad

I sail Lake Arthur.(sold 23 Paceship this October, looking for new 25) It is about an hour north of the Burgh. I get up to Erie (a friends 27 Cat) a couple times a summer and a week to 10 days coastal cruising (32 Allied Seawind).Originally I was a power boater on the Alleghany for 30 some years. When my dad bought a 45 Columbia and started cruising, that changed my view of boating.You say the wing won't head up like a fin or a shoal. I have never heard that about a wing. There is one 22 wing that is not only fast but heads up pretty good. I was asking about the wing because I didn't care for the way the shoal keels are #1 faired #2 connected. The fin keel has a bit to much draft and trying to find a trailer is ...... Thanks for your input on the 25 wing.Stop back in the Burgh.r.w.landau