Catalina 25 Swing keel

[Mikem]

We now have a 1980 Catalina 25, swing keel in the family. We do not have a trailer for it. Two questions.

1. Where might a trailer be available?
2. Can the boat rest on the keel in the retracted position? We have a rail way at our facility to haul boats but the boats (power or sail with fixed keels) rest on the keel and are stabilized by by amas. Looking to paint the underwater hull and want to make sure that we don't damage anything.

Thanks

 

[Joe Diver]

Congrats on the new boat Mike!

Come on over to the C25 Association Forum and introduce yourself. You can register your boat, join the Association, and meet some great folks who know EVERYTHING about our boats!

C25 Association

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, you can get a trailer. Rarely they come up for sale, but they do. You may have to drive across the country to get it, and it'll probably be $2500. Or, you can have a new one made. Pretty pricey though!

2. The swing keel model should NOT rest on the keel. Support it by bunks and rollers, properly positioned. Then, lower the keel until it rests on some boards or something, taking the weight to the ground and off the cable.

 

[Mikem]

Congrats on the new boat Mike!

Come on over to the C25 Association Forum and introduce yourself. You can register your boat, join the Association, and meet some great folks who know EVERYTHING about our boats!

C25 Association

To answer your questions:

1. Yes, you can get a trailer. Rarely they come up for sale, but they do. You may have to drive across the country to get it, and it'll probably be $2500. Or, you can have a new one made. Pretty pricey though!

2. The swing keel model should NOT rest on the keel. Support it by bunks and rollers, properly positioned. Then, lower the keel until it rests on some boards or something, taking the weight to the ground and off the cable.

Joe, thanks. So without a trailer I'd have to sling it and put it on jack stands.

You are right about having a trailer built. I received a quote last week f0r $4900 and with some upgrades, $6,000. Then I have to get it from Ohio to Bremerton, Wa. Yikes.

Mike

 

[Joe Diver]

Even the $2500 jobs are older, with some wear and tear...should have good axles, bearings, tires and wiring for that though. If you come across something really inexpensive, le $1k....it's either junk that needs to be completely rebuilt, or the person has no clue what they've got.

Fins and Wingers are designed to sit on the keel, balanced by bunks.

The swingers need to sit on the bunks, and drop the keel to the ground.

 

[jrowan]

Be careful of the cheap trailers. My old C 25 came with an OLD trailer that looked O.K. but broke one of the wooden bunk boards in half from unseen rot when I was launching her. I was lucky that she was going in the water at the time, not down the road. Could've had a real disaster on my hands if the bunk broke while towing!

 

[Mikem]

Be careful of the cheap trailers. My old C 25 came with an OLD trailer that looked O.K. but broke one of the wooden bunk boards in half from unseen rot when I was launching her. I was lucky that she was going in the water at the time, not down the road. Could've had a real disaster on my hands if the bunk broke while towing!

I'm searching for a trailer manufacturer at least somewhere on the west coast. Delivery cost will be an issue with fuel the way it is going. Thank goodness for sails.