Keel problems

[Sharon Plezia]

I recently bought a Cat 22 cheap, but the keel is off. It wore through the pin. One welder told me that cast iron could not be welded (if that's what it is), however, another told me that it could, but was hard to weld. I want the repair to last.I've contacted Catalina Direct and they sent me a Owners Handbook that basically has Catalina products to buy thru them, but I still need some sound advice on the specifics.Does anybody out there know the proper way to repair the keel? Is there a way to repair it without welding?Or does anybody know where I can get some good tech assistance?Thanks for any help you can give me.

 

[Charlie on]

You can weld cast iron

Sharon,I redid my keel last year for the same proble, a severly worn pivot hole and also a rather large groove from the locking bolt. The previous owner didn't do much, any p.m.I removed and brought the keel to a locat machine/fabrication shop and they sand blasted the keel clean to bare metal, enlarged the egg shape hole and welded in a stainless bushing that they made. They also filled in the large groove with weld. I then refinished the fairing and installed the keel. She's steady as a rock now, no wobble or movement when tacking.It can be done if you find a shop with expert welders.good luck

 

[Dick of Sylvan]

Fixing C22 Swing Keels

Sharon: Look at www.catalina22.org for info about repairing keels. Also, check out the archives in the Catalina Owners forums since a lot has already been written about 22 swing keels. If the hole in your keel is enlarged, you ought to have a steel bushing pressed in, and the voids welded (cast iron can be welded though it may take a little special skill-- even I used to do it with an acetylene torch, so it can't be too hard). Good luck, your boat ought to be a good one for the shallow waters around Key Largo.