Keel conversion

[SSmith]

With all the issues in this forum about swing keels, I'm wondering if a conversion kit exists for a C22, changing from a swing to a wing. I've had a 1987 C22 for about a year. No problems so far with the keel. But would it be a smart move to make the change to a stationary wing keel? Seems like it could simplify things and head off potential problems. I haven't seen anything in the Catalina Direct catalog about it. Thanks for any info.

 

[Ran]

hear tell

Somewhere I heard someone talking about a retro fit kit to do just what your talking about, now about the trade off....the wing will drift a little more than the swing and wont point as well.... I prefer a fin but thats me...Good luck in your search.....

 

[d rubin]

wing keel conversion

check with catalina- we did a conversion on our Cat25. we liked it. not too expensive. check the Cat25/250 site for more details about the conversion - i think under owner upgrades

 

[Aldo]

I Recommend a Test Sail

S: I recommend that you find a winged keel and sail it, before you do anything drastic. I know some people who would probably trade their winged keel for a swing keel, if everything else was equal. From what I saw, the winged keel couldn't point as well, and also pitched up and down in the waves MUCH more than the swing keel. One of the really good things about the swing keel is that it is thick at the bottom. This puts the weight where you want it, deep in the water. I think that a lot of the problems that people describe with their swing keels are a result of them not having zincs near the pivot pin. Disimilar metals will always corrode the lesser metal, and in salt water, this will happen even faster. Zincs are a must. I always have 2 sets near the pivot pin. Aldo

 

[mg]

dont know you guys

i have sailed both boats and sure think the wing is a bit stiffer and has a better helm feel. i found that the wing pointed better and doesn't "clunk" in the trunk , but that could be sail shape too i suppose. other than being harder to trail i see little to recomend the swing over the wing keel. now the 22 national champ may disagree but but i'm sure that his keel is nicely faired epoxied and wet sanded between races. every swing keel i've ever seen appears to be slightly bowed or curved to starbard. look at them real close , sure looks funny to me . although to be honest i did not put a 2x4 up against it the check the camber that i thougt i was seeing. anyway thats another issue. if you are going to trailer it go swing. if not much trailering go wing. bty the capri 22 is a racier model and isnot offered in a swing keel model, and phrf'd considerable lower than the 22 good luck mg

 

[Jim]

ITS UNFAIR

I get a chance to sail against a national champion C22 skipper in my fleet occasionally (Pete Harper). He does have a nicely faired (swing) keel and he did wet sand it before the nationals this year, his (boat's) bottom is smoother than a babies behind. My cast iron (swing) keel (Hull 10448) is not faired and has a few rust blossoms in spite of a coat of rust oleum primer and two coats of bottom paint.My boat can point as high as Pete's but he just run's off from us with his boat speed (and better sailing)I looked at my Keel pivot pin this year and it is just like new. Was well packed in grease and showed absolutely no pitting or wear. I leave my boat in fresh water year round as it has been for the last 20 yr. My guess is the keel pin was replaced at least once in the boat's life but not less than 5 yr ago judging by the number of coats of bottom paint on the keel hanger bolts.Good pointing in a C22 requires inboard jib tracks, a well tuned mast and properly trimmed sails.