Hello, I have a Catalina 22 with swing keel. There are some rust bubbles on the keel. What is the best way to fix the keel? The boat is on a trailer. How can I raise it high enough to remove the trailer and lower the keel? I have lots of automotive jackstands, but they won't go high enough. Do I need real boat stand at $120 each or is there something cheaper? Should I paint it now, wait until the end of the season, or wait until next season? Finally, how much would a boat yard charge if I just towed the boat over there? The bottom paint is in good condition, just the keel needs to be redone. Thanks, Barry
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Iron Keels
Let's put this into perspective. There are numerous posts in the archives which address ways to keep iron keels from rusting. Thousands of dollars spent to little or no avail. Unless you are racing, there is no such thing as a keel beauty contest. This last week I had to do some plumbing repairs at home. Leaking copper pipe. The cast Iron waste drain from 1912 is working just fine and there is a lot of corrosive stuff going on there. Scrape it, paint it and forget it. Unless there is a major electoysis issue going on your keel will outive you.
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Let's put this into perspective. There are numerous posts in the archives which address ways to keep iron keels from rusting. Thousands of dollars spent to little or no avail. Unless you are racing, there is no such thing as a keel beauty contest. This last week I had to do some plumbing repairs at home. Leaking copper pipe. The cast Iron waste drain from 1912 is working just fine and there is a lot of corrosive stuff going on there. Scrape it, paint it and forget it. Unless there is a major electoysis issue going on your keel will outive you.
.Keel Pin
I agree that the Iron keel will outlast us all, but, the main concern should/will eventually be the pivot pin. On my '86, the keel had very little rust thru when I got it, but the pivot pin thru hole had worn way beyond the one inch diameter it was supposed to be. I removed it and had a bushing installed, applied rust proof, fairing compound to the proper shape, barrier coat and bottom paint. Yearly inspection have shown no problems for the last three years, but I'm expecting them anyway. The swing keel is the only problem with the boat, you just have to keep up with it. Removeing the keel is another story, I made a sled that went under the trailer and jacked the boat carefully up off the bunks supported by blocks of wood until the boat was high enough for the keel to clear the hull. With a little imagination you can figure a way to get it out. Good luck.
I agree that the Iron keel will outlast us all, but, the main concern should/will eventually be the pivot pin. On my '86, the keel had very little rust thru when I got it, but the pivot pin thru hole had worn way beyond the one inch diameter it was supposed to be. I removed it and had a bushing installed, applied rust proof, fairing compound to the proper shape, barrier coat and bottom paint. Yearly inspection have shown no problems for the last three years, but I'm expecting them anyway. The swing keel is the only problem with the boat, you just have to keep up with it. Removeing the keel is another story, I made a sled that went under the trailer and jacked the boat carefully up off the bunks supported by blocks of wood until the boat was high enough for the keel to clear the hull. With a little imagination you can figure a way to get it out. Good luck.
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