keel replacement

[Joe Cicero]

I have a 1977 Catalina 30, hull number 662 with a fin keel drawing 5'3". I am a cruiser who wishes he had a 3'10" draft.Has anyone cut or replaced thier keel on this age boat? I contaced a company "Mars Metal" that makes keel bulbs that bolt on your current keel, however they said that they don't recommend thier product on my model Catalina.Was the 3'10" keel of this model boat a bulb or wing? Can I still get one from Catalina? Can I just cut the current keel down?All responses are appreciated.Thanks,JoeSV Teaknology

 

[Dave]

Keel swap

Hi Joe:Talk to http://www.torresen.com/I have read other posts that said they have made keel swaps on Catalinas before and they are located in Muskegon.Good luckDave S/V Westwind

 

[John]

CAT30 88

My 88 is a wing 3'10" they started makeing it in 86 or87 these years ,up to 2001 are the same. .The older models where 4'4" shallow draft.The keel on this boat was diffrent.The mounting is not the same the 4'4"deep is about7' long and all glassed on. The keel bolts are way back under the moter IT is not a wing or a bulb Its more like a cruiseing keel.The new wing keel mite fit with some help. They cost about 4500 from catalina .The wing keel is hard to get un stuck and your rudder is about 2" above your keel alot of people brake rudders with the wing where the fin would bounce off bottom .When your fin gets stuck you can heel over and sial off . With a wing it not that easey. John