A boat load of keel questions

[Matt]

Anyone with keel re-finishing experience on a C-22?I purchased the Catalina Direct Video and see some problems.1. My dual axle trailer has three cross members aft of the keel. The video trailer has none. On my trailer, the sled won't just roll backwards unobstructed. Any ideas?2. My keel has a worn out zinc anode. Any reason to install a new one since the keel will be epoxied and painted?3. My keel has an attached grounding wire. Is this needed?4. Does fairing out the keel make a noticable improvement in performance? My keel looks pretty flat now.Thanks for your responses!

 

[john renfro]

keel

hello matt,with out seeing your trailer, i can only suggest laying the keel over on its side and dragging it out, but putting it back inwould be real tough (500 lbs. trying not to chew it up ), maybe you can find some one to temporarily swap trailers while you over haulthe keel. i followed the cat. video and it worked ok, but i would never do anything more than a patch and repaint on the next one. it took 3 weeks of spair time and 4 gals. of fairing material (smear it on let it set, smear it on, let it set,match the contour template grind it down, smear it on ect.ect.)unless you are a die hard racer,it was a waste of time. just use a 4 inch grinder to remove the old stuff, prime it,spread the filler and sand smooth. after you remove the old stuff, you will probably find a swiss cheese surface, it is a casting flaw found in many of the 22 keels. my keel was quite ugly. good luckjohn

 

[Brian]

Anyone here, at your service

I am doing mine right now. I havn't seen the video you mention but I know how I am doing mine. I would be glad to share pics and story with you but first, your questions.1) May not matter if you will also be stripping and painting the bottom.2) No, however to a certain extent it depends on where you keep it.3) Is it grounded or is it the ground? (this may explain the need for a zinc)4) Yes it does make a difference. Wait until yours is sand blasted, it may not be as flat as you think, especially if it is cast iron.Good luck

 

[Ted]

Here are some answers . . .

The best way to get your keel out with the boat on the trailer is to raise the boat and block it up on the bunks about 4-6 inches. This will give you full clearance when you lower and detach the keel. I assume you know how to take the keel out without injuring yourself. If not seek more assistance and advice.The keel will have to be lowered onto its side and then removed from underneath the boat/trailer laying flat. The installation process once it is re-finished will be about 4 times more difficult that the removal.You could use a zinc rich compound instead of attaching a zinc, but some form of Zinc is needed to reduce electrolysis. The ground wire to the keel would only serve as lightning protection if it were wired up to the mast/rigging. Otherwise it would not serve a purpose.Fairing the keel smooth will give the boat better performance (1/2) knot +/-, and it should sail up wind better.I hope this helps. You can go to my web page at the link below. I have a few pages on the keel re-furb that I did two years ago.Regards,Ted