Catalina 23 Swing Keel

dLj

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Mar 23, 2017
4,301
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
I looks like there may be wood under that surface fiberglass that has rotted out. You will have to open this area up and rebuild the structure then glass it back over. Without having pictures from further away, I've no idea what you have to work with in terms of where you get the structural support.

dj
 
May 20, 2025
3
Catalina 22 Liberty, Missouri
I'll post some more pictures, these two aren't great.but shows from little further back. The step is where the problem lies under. I have one picture that is from further back. The surface damage is at the base of the companionway entrance, the little step which is the housing and support for the keel winch. I'll climb inside and try to see how the wood bridge is braced. I've never done any fiberglass repair so I'm a bit nervous about cutting into it. I don't want to cut away more than I have to and then I'm a bit worried about it looking like hell when i put it back together. There is Nobody in the area that wants to do the job so it looks like I'm about to learn how to do it myself.
 

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dLj

.
Mar 23, 2017
4,301
Belliure 41 Back in the Chesapeake
That does not look like original design by the manufacturer but I don't really know.

You don't have structure holding that up. Your entire companionway opening is "floating" if you get what I mean.

Since you have a fair bit of work ahead of you. I'd suggest you find a better location for that winch. I'd also look at finding a more appropriate winch. But that's up to you.

You are probably going to have to replace that entire section that is currently broken and tie it into that companionway structure.

You may wish to spend time watching videos on Boatworks Today.. Andy is really excellent.

dj