I haven't decided if I want to keep the boat in a slip or haul it out on the trailer. Does anyone have problems with the swing keel being kept in salt water most of the year? Any suggestions would be helpful. (I would prefer to keep it in the slip for ease of use, just concerned with buildup of crud in the keel area)
Cal 22 Swing Keel
- Thread starter GrumpyPawPaw
- Start date
A good number of swing keel owners keep their boats slipped year round. Maintenance depends on the material the keel is made from and what it is protected with.
I've not looked at the Cal 22 swing keel up close so I'm not sure if the keel is lead or cast iron. The Cal 22 is essentially a knock off of the Catalina 22, so I am assuming it is the later. Catalina did not start producing fiberglass sheathed lead keels until 1996 I believe, so pretty much all of us C22 owners deal with the maintenance issues of cast iron.
If you have lead, you have few worries... For cast iron, you need a good epoxy barrier coat under the anti-foul paint. If you look in the C22 forum you will see that a number of us have gone through the extensive project of removing the keel, sand blasting, and then repair/fairing with epoxy, barrier coat, and bottom paint. Once that is done all that is required is typical bottom paint cleaning and recoating every 2 or 3 years (which is way easier and cheaper if you can haul out on your own trailer).
I've not looked at the Cal 22 swing keel up close so I'm not sure if the keel is lead or cast iron. The Cal 22 is essentially a knock off of the Catalina 22, so I am assuming it is the later. Catalina did not start producing fiberglass sheathed lead keels until 1996 I believe, so pretty much all of us C22 owners deal with the maintenance issues of cast iron.
If you have lead, you have few worries... For cast iron, you need a good epoxy barrier coat under the anti-foul paint. If you look in the C22 forum you will see that a number of us have gone through the extensive project of removing the keel, sand blasting, and then repair/fairing with epoxy, barrier coat, and bottom paint. Once that is done all that is required is typical bottom paint cleaning and recoating every 2 or 3 years (which is way easier and cheaper if you can haul out on your own trailer).
I own a Catalina 22, 1984. Live in Puerto Rico and sail only salt water (we don’t have big lake with fresh water). We do not have drastic changes in climate; it is more a constant climate. Leaving the boat in salt water all the time accelerates deterioration. The keel is made of iron and must be given anti corrosion maintenance, including screws and screw whether are stainless steel. Salt water is powerfully harmful to any material. In my case I have the boat on a trailer. If it's a weekend I leave it in water for several days and then take it out. If you live in north of the state where climate changes are drastic, leave it in water for the summer period and once the winter arrive take out the boat and provide the require maintenance. Another consideration or factor is the monthly rent $$$ between Slip and Haul.
The ideal is to always have it in the water. To enjoy it, and use them every day in the afternoons for an hour or two. As long you live near the marina. Good luck with your decision.
The ideal is to always have it in the water. To enjoy it, and use them every day in the afternoons for an hour or two. As long you live near the marina. Good luck with your decision.