HELP 1980 Catalina 25 Swing Keel

[Marcus]

Hello - writing for your collective insight and expertise. We have the opportunity to purchase a Catalina 25 with Swing Keel at a very reasonalbe price and would like your help. We are new to sailing and are wondering is the Swing Keel a help or hindrance when sailing, we will be sailing the Long Island Sound. We plan to purchase mooring for the season and dry dock for winter storage - is it okay to moor a swing keel? (I believe the swing keels do not have fixed ballast but I could be wrong, forgot to ask our sales rep but will follow up with him tomorrow on more specific questions). So, in general looking for your expertise on the Catalina 25 and how friendly it may be to new sailers. Thanks for any help...

 

[Tom Soko]

A Good Thing

Marcus,I believe that a swing keel C25 would be a great boat for beginning sailors. If you run into some 'skinny' water (and you will!), you simply crank up the keel, turn around, and head out to deeper water. When the boat is at the mooring, remember to crank up the keel, so as to minimize the wear on the keel bolt. Also, swing keel boats are easier to trailer. You might get more replies if you post this in the Smaller Boats Section. Just a few thoughts.

 

[Mike Turner]

A Great Boat!

I had a C25 for a year on the Potomac River in Washington, DC, it's a great boat -- a cross between "small boat simplicity" and "big boat feel." The swing keel actually is the ballast, and as noted, once you get into "skinny water" you can pull it up. Also as noted in the earlier post, remember to pull the keel up when on the mooring. In the winter during storage you'll want to lower the keel to take the weight off the pendant and winch. I can't say how she'll handle in Long Island Sound, as I haven't sailed there yet, but others can advise you on that score. Good luck!Mike TurnerSailboat "Fiddlestix" (Rob Roy 23)San Diego Bay

 

[dan]

sailed a C25

with a fixed keel for 5yrs and loved it. I always felt she was the very most boat for the money. contary to what the 2 previous posters said, I have always heard leave your keel down while docked. the reason given was if your keel accidently "free fell" it would damage the bottom when all that weight hit bottom. there are some real devoted C25ers over on the C25/250 national assc web site with lot of knowledge and helpful suggestions.