Catalina 22 keel winch

[Bill]

When I bought my Catalina 22, it came with an improvised winch bought from Lowe's in place of the factory winch - i.e. just a one-way galvanized all-purpose hand winch. Well, after a month or so of sailing it froze up because the "axle" (for use of a better word)rusted out and broke. Looking back, I am lucky that the winch froze on itself and didn't completely release the keel from its up position. I replaced it with a similar winch because I didn't know any better, but a year later I am having similar problems again and am ready to fix it correctly. Does anyone know where I might find a used factory 2-way winch? And as an aside, has anyone ever had their keel completely released/dropped from the upright position - I wonder if it would sink the boat . . . Thanks for the help.

 

[John]

Catalina direct

I bought a '74 Cat 22 which had the original winch. I replaced it with an updated version from Catalina Direct. In fact I replaced everything from the winch down to the keel eye bolt. They sell a kit for around $200.00 for everything. On a handy scale of 1 to 10 I consider myself about a 6 and found the job easy. The hardest thing is lifting the boat off the trailer to drop the keel some to get at the eye. Look in the archives for ways to do this. If you have access to an A-frame that is the best way.$200.00 bucks is cheap for peace of mind!Good Luck John

 

[John]

Catalina 22 Keel

I have a 1976 Catalina 22, which I acquired in 1998 and launched in 1999. I replaced the keel cable twice in four years. Once it broke as I was winching up the keel prior to docking (I had a sand bar between me and my slip that required this). The keel swung down into its normal position and there was a considerable "thunk" and shudder, but no apparent damage, no leaks, etc. When I hauled out that year, I could detect no discernable problems.

 

[William Bell]

Winch

Call Catilina Direct...they have the right winch for the boat. The other trailer types can really hurt you if you do not control the lowering of the keel. You can do a search on them to find their address and phone...sorry i do not have it handy for you. They are based on the west coast.Good luck---from another cat 22 owner--Bill

 

[Bayard Gross]

Definately Catalina Direct

It really should be emphasized that you must use the winch that Catalina Supplies with their boats.The winch is made by Fulton. it has a unique braking mechanism that permits you to lower the keel slopwly and safely by lust turning the handle, an option not available on standard winches.Failure to use this winch can mean the winch handle will suddenly spin as the keel drops and it can literally break your arm. Its like the old starting cranks that were on early automobiles which were known to kill people.