Catlina 22 Swing Keel

[Gary Hansen]

I am considering the purchase of a 1978 Catalina 22. The boat appears to have been well maintained. Having read quite a bit on your website, I have found that the swing keel in these boats is a source of some aggravation and can in fact result in sinking the boat. I have no way to know if the swing keel has been replaced or even checked, nor do I know what to look for when inspecting the boat.Wouldn't it make sense to play it safe and simply replace all the necessary parts involved with the swing keel assembly?? What kind of money would that involve?? The boat would have to be pulled and I would have to pay someone to do it.Thanks for any advice. I was ready to make a deal tomorrow, but the swing keel business has made me back off. Gary

 

[MArk]

Falling-board syndrome

Hey Gary,The biggest potential problem with the Cat 22 swing keel is a failed pendant (pennant?). (see related link) If the pendant is more than 10 years old, I'd definitely replace it. If there is any slop in the pivot, this would be a good time to repair/replace the pin and bushing too.Happy sails _/), (and Happy New Year!)MArk O'Day 20

 

[John]

Replaced mine.. easy

Hi Gary,I bought a 1974 Cat 22 last summer and, like you, was a little nervous about the swing keel. First check the winch, if the drum diameter is less than about an 1" or 1 1/2", it is the original part and should be replaced.I replaced the whole assembly from the keel eye bolt to the winch itself. Catalina direct can set you up in parts for about $200.00 for everything.Let me tell you on a handiness scale I'm about a 5, and I did the job myself in about 2 hours. The most difficult thing is getting the boat off the trailer so you can drop the keel, and get at the eye bolt. There are a variety of ways to do this, look at past forums. I was fortunate enough to have access to an A-Frame.Incidently the marina near my house wanted $500.00 to do the job, too much!Good luck! John

 

[Dick of Sylvan]

Swing Keel

Gary: If you can't do the work yourself, best you get an estimate from a marina before you make the purchase. If the pin has never been replaced, its probably overdue. Likewise the cable and maybe the winch. Also, there is a good chance if the boat has been on a mooring much that the hole in the keel thru which the pin goes, may be worn oblong, requiring a bushing. Catalina Direct will sell the parts at a decent price, but the labor will be many hours at a steep price. I would sure factor such costs into the purchase price or negotiate a deal where such costs are deducted from the selling price. You also might consider that there are likely many other needs besides the keel that require maintenance on any boat of that age. Dick K.

 

[tom]

question for you...

are you planning on trailering the boat...?? if not, why bother with a swing keel.. although it is kinda nice in shallow water i've been told..i bought a 74, and am in the process of restoring the things that need it..the keel included. but then im kinda lucky in the fact that i have somewhere to drop it. i havent heard of anyone talkin about it leading to sinking the boat tho..i.e. the swing keel..i also lucked out and bought my boat really cheap so i expected to do some work. whatever you buy, good luck..

 

[Pete Staehling]

Swing Keel

If you plan to keep the boat in a slip or on a mooring and not trailer it, I would consider a fin keel model C22. There are usually a few on the market at any given time. I bought one and definitely am happy with the choice.If you plan to trailer the boat much I don't particularly recommend the fin keel, but a wing keel would be a nice option in that case (kind of the best of both worlds to some extent). There aren't many on the market around here though.I am not knocking the swing keel, just pointing out other options.Pete