Heeling

[jho11381]

How far will a Catalina 22 with a swing keel heel over before it will capsize? Or when does it become dangerous? How can I confirm your answer? I'm new to sailing.

 

[Stu Jackson]

This is not an unusual question from new owners. We had the same one in 1983 for our 81 C22.

The answer: the boat is designed so that no matter how far over you try to make it go, it will round up first.

 

[jho11381]

This is not an unusual question from new owners. We had the same one in 1983 for our 81 C22.

The answer: the boat is designed so that no matter how far over you try to make it go, it will round up first.

Ours is a 1989. It went so far over it seemed like water was about to come into the cockpit. It just got my attention real quick.

 

[LooseDiamond]

The above advice is indeed true. To confirm these answers, as you wish, try this (it worked for me): Sail on a day with thunderstorms. Wait too late to drop sail as one approaches. When that first gust hits you, do not release the mainsheet (in my case, it was too tight). The boat will heel massively, everything unsecured inside the boat and cockpit will suddenly be piled up on the lee side, and the boat will round up into the wind! As others have said many times, the boat can handle more than you...

 

[caguy]

The boat will not capsize when it rounds up but there is a real risk of getting tossed overboard.