Keel question

[Brian]

I read a "chain" of opinions last week about the pros and cons of swing keel vs fixed keel of either type (wing or fin). There were many words spent on the possibilty of a swing keel "falling" off. Being realistic, by nature, I have to ask.. Has anyone been directly involved with a swing keel Catalina 22 losing it's keel while under way, on the trailer, or even while being serviced? I would like to hear about this as I am about to drop and service my own '76 swing keel 22. If not than I guess this only happened to the same guy that woke up in a hotel room without his kidney.

 

[Gary]

Lost keel

I have had my 81 C22 Ptarmigan for 3 years and have had no problems, but the second season before the first launch I droped the keel down out of the boat and checked the pin and pin hole they were ok but at the same time I replaced the winch cable turning ball & ball pin. I know a fellow sailer who had his keel fall off but it was on a C22 that he kept moored out on northern Lake Michigan by the UP of Michigan. It came off luckily while on his mooring and he thought it was caused by neglect and the constant rocking of the boat on it's mooring.

 

[tom]

whoops,, there goes another swing keel......

hey.. anyone seen my kidney....keep on sailin...

 

[ksw]

keel cable

I know of two catalina 25s where the keel cable broke and cracked the hull. One boat was repaired, but the second boat was a total lost.

 

[JOHN KERSEY]

NO ANSWER TO HELM

GOT AN OLD 76 C22 AND TRANSRERED HER TO A NEW LAKE SAILED HER FOR 6 MO EACH SAT ONCE UP AND DOWN THE LAKE . BUT ONE TIME SHE ACTED REAL WEARD! SO I PUT HER UP EARLY AND WENT HOME . NEXT WEEK I GOT HER OUT OF THE COVE WHERE SHE IS MOORED AND NO SPEED AND LITTLE STEERING.SOME ONE FROM THE DOCK SAID PUT DOWN YOUR KEEL!I GOT BACK CRANKED TO THE END, TILL THE CABLE STOPED. WENT OVER BOARD AND JOST A BIG HOLE.3 MO LATTER A CALL TO EACH COST LOOLING FOR A USED KEEL. A TRIP TO THE SHOP TO HAVE IT PUT ON. I WAS ONCE AGAIN SAILING. 4 BOLTS DO NOT HOLD 600 LB IN PLACE LONG WITH NO MAINT. THE EPOXY THEM IN BUT STILL TOLD ME TO CHECK OR HAVE THEM CHECKED ONCE A YEAR. THE ONE I GOT( KEEl) HAD ITS PIN SAWED IN 1/3 AND WAS DUE TO FAIL IF SHE HAD NOT BEE SKUTTLED FOR PARTS AS SHE WAS. THE HOLE WAS SLEEVED AND A NEW PIN INSTALLED. I WAS LOOKING TO HAVE A WING PUT ON IF I COULD NOT FIND A USED S.W. BUT WAS TALKED OUT MY MANY AND TOLD TO KEEP LOOKING WHICH I DID AND AM HAPPY.

 

[Rick Amon]

battery bank

I have in place two deep cycle batteries connected to a Blue Sea Battery switch. The switch also has a house bank, two pole switch, to isolate all batteries from my accessories. Attached to the alternator connection on my switch I have connected a MorningStar Solar controller which is connected to a 32 watt solar panel.This configuration eliminates the need for any shore power connectivity. I have my 8 horse's alternator also connected to the switch, which provides minimum amperage. My 2nd battery is there for a spare, for emergency use (radio, loran etc) in case I run out of juice, on my first battery. I have never had to use my second battery, and my draw on the first is quite considerable on my sailing trips. I hope this helps. Rick

 

[doug]

keel pin broke

I had bought a 1976 c22 about 2 years ago and just put it in the water this year. twords the end of the season a noreaster came through and broke the pin that holds the keel on. this could have been avoided if i had seen what the condition of the pin was. it was worn down to about a quarter of a inch and the keel had an elongated hole. if you perform regular maintance on the keel and use a piece of zinc to avoid the rust it should be fine.these swing keel boats alow you to go were the fixed keels cant.