Keel Shims

[Matthew Telep]

I am considering the purchase of a 1980 Catalina 22. The current owner has informed me that he had the iron keel replaced with a lead one. He said the new keel now has some slop so he installed washers on the pin between the keel and the keel housing. Is this an acceptable repair? Will this put too much pressure on the keel where it contacts these washers? I found an earlier article stating that Catalina has a re-work bracket hanger kit. Is this the best solution? Thanks for any help!

 

[Bayard Gross]

New hanger good idea

Considering the cost of a new keel, I am surprised the PO did not install new hangers.I think you should get new hangers, which are available from Catalina Direct. Call their technical department to find out how well their new hangers will fit around the new lead keel that you have. They may need to be ground back a bit.The big advantage that you have is that you know that the keel bolts have been removed fairly recently, therefore the problem of their breaking when you remove the keel should be mininized.