Help! Rakes and Keels! ugh!

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C

Chris

Hello fellow sailors: After a 20 year hiatus of no sailing I decided to jump back in the boat. However, owning a 27 year old 22 footer (compared to my previously new 16 footer) is a challenge. I have a couple maintinence questions about my old Catalina 22: First: What is rake? I've heard it refered to when tuning the mast, but what does it mean exactly. Moreover, is it absolutely necassary to use a gage to meter torque when tightening my turnbuckles? Or will eyeballing the mast position be suffice? Second: With my boat on a trailor is it possible to raise the boat with a hydrolic jack? I need to inspect my keel pivot bushing and the only way is to raise the boat. However, I don't have access to a hoist and thought it possible to lift the vessel in a direct spot so as to allow the keel to drop when I undo the four mounting bolts. Can anyone tell me if they have done this or if the structure of the boat will be damaged?
 
F

Frank

Mast Rake and lifting

Mast rake is the amount the mast leans backwards from perfectly vertical. Mast rake shifts the center of effort back developing more weather helm to point higher. With your boat floating on her lines disconnect the main halyard from the main sail. Tie a weight to it and measure the distance from the line to the mast. You want 2 to 4 inches. I have raised my C22 using a hydraulic jack. Use a 2"x6"x2ft board between the hull and jack to spread the force out. Raise one side up a few inches and crib (put 2X4 pieces betwen hull and bunks). Then work the other side. Work each side untill you are raised where you want it. Insure the hull wieght is not supported by a narrow area at any time.
 
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john renfro

keel

hello chris, adding to what frank tells you, remember, the keel weighs 600 lbs. and when you drop it,it will fall like a ton of bricks ( 600lbs-2000lbs, its all the same if you are under it) good luck john
 
C

Chris

Thanks.

Thanks to you all for your support. Your answers (even the rhetorical one) were a help. thanks...
 
E

Eric

let your mouse do the walking here

This is a great site for info on a Cat 22...http://sites.netscape.net/stevek47usa/c22project
 
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