Changing cable on swing keel

[Mike Kiefer]

I recently purchased an '85 Catalina 25. The old owner told me that I would probably need to change the cable on the swing keel and as it turned out he was right. My question is whether or not the boat needs to be hauled out of the water to accomplish this task or whether it can be done while still in the water using scuba to do the below the hull work. Any informed feed back would be greatly appreciated.Thanks

 

[Nukesailor]

Swing keel cable changeout

I'm not that familiar with the Cat 25 swing keel cable, but if it's similar to the Cat 22, you can change it in the water. You will need a mask and snorkel. The keel end of the cable is attached with a clevis pin and cotter pin (you may need pliers). The winch end is attached with machine screws and nuts on the winch drum. Inside the thru-hull tube is a grooved ball on a pin; note which side the existing cable is on. Find somewhere to anchor with a depth just greater than the keel. Remove the old cable. Attach the new cable to the keel and feed the free end up thru the tube on the same side of the ball as the old cable. Get back on board and attach the free end to the winch drum. Carefully wind the new cable on the drum. If necessary, you can remove the rubber hose attached to the tube and also remove the grooved ball by pushing out the pin (make sure you don't drop the ball in the tube}. I've done this a few times on my Cat 22, and need to do it again.

 

[Leon Sisson]

No! I would NOT attempt this in the water!

On a Catalina 25, the turning ball is several inches up inside the cable thru-hull, and well below the waterline. It would be very tricky to thread the new cable past the aft side of the turning ball from underwater. Removing the "radiator hose" and turning ball would admit quite a bit of water, maybe as much as 1,500 to 2,000 GPH. (Much less if the turning ball isn't removed.)This task is best performed while the boat is on a trailer or hanging from a lift. Remember to thoroughly inspect your keel pivot parts and lifting winch while you're at it. Preventative maintenance is very important with a swing keel. "If it ain't broke don't fix it" is a formula for disaster here.-- Leon Sisson

 

[Dave LaPere]

I think !

Leon is right.I would be doing this from on land on the trailer, lift or hull support jacks.I also believe he is correct about the waterline areaas it relates to the "Radiator hose". After looking at my 22' Catalina 2000 Mark II there is no way I could remove that hose without sinking the boat. Unless someone out there has a very big manhole pump they want to lend me!!! LOLIf in a real bind it could be done while in the water but it will take more than one person.In reality, I would create or borrow a sling to remove the boat from the water.Have it hoisted out, and blocked up while the repair is done, since the keel is swinging feely with no control to it.Orif possible swedge or nicopress a fresh piece of cable onto what remains of the cable that is still attached to the keel feed it up thru the hole and into the hull and cut and swedge or nicopress the new piece onto the good existing old piece still attached to the drum. Then slowly raise the keel enough to load it onto your trailer and do the replacement then.I agree with some of the others when they say preventitve maint. is the key to a sound swing keel. Take the time to check the pivot point, hanger, bushings and bolts.One final thought. Make sure that the nicopress or swedge fittings can take a load of the full weight of the keel. Be it 500lbs or 1000.Happy Sailing Dave LaPere