I have a question about lifting and launching a 1984 Catalina 22 with a fixed keel. Does anyone use the keel bolts to attach a lifting eye bolt or lifting eyenut that can be rigged to a hoist for launching? Is there any documentation or photos about this? I've learned that the current fixed keels Catalinas are designed for this sort of launching but have not seen much info on the 1984 vintage boats.
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Are you using a crane or haulmaster mobile hoist?
If you use a mobile boat hoist (travelhoist) they have slings that fit under the boat fore and aft of the fin keel. The slings are 6 to 12 inches wide. Lifting eyes (forged steel closed eye bolts) are only safe to use if the eye has a direct lift strain. If the lifting devise pulls the eye bolt sideways at all it WILL break. Ray
If you use a mobile boat hoist (travelhoist) they have slings that fit under the boat fore and aft of the fin keel. The slings are 6 to 12 inches wide. Lifting eyes (forged steel closed eye bolts) are only safe to use if the eye has a direct lift strain. If the lifting devise pulls the eye bolt sideways at all it WILL break. Ray
1984 C22 fixed keel-keel bolt lifting attachment
Thanks for your reply I know that a lifting sling for and aft of the keel would work --but unfortunately I don't have that sling. And I understand what you are saying about horizontal pull being potentially disastrous --but the again, there also must be some advantage to using multiple keel bolts to spread the load. In which case there has to be some horizontal as well as vertical pull. If the lifting straps are 1 ft long there would be much horizontal pull, but if they are 10 ft long there would be much less horizontal pull. So, I am curious about specific rigs, successes, and problems with this lifting approach.
Thanks for your reply I know that a lifting sling for and aft of the keel would work --but unfortunately I don't have that sling. And I understand what you are saying about horizontal pull being potentially disastrous --but the again, there also must be some advantage to using multiple keel bolts to spread the load. In which case there has to be some horizontal as well as vertical pull. If the lifting straps are 1 ft long there would be much horizontal pull, but if they are 10 ft long there would be much less horizontal pull. So, I am curious about specific rigs, successes, and problems with this lifting approach.
Is the risk worth it?
Any side loading of any bolt is just plain dangerous. Period. There are many ways to lift a C22. Are you lifting it off a trailer, out of the water to land or to transport it somewhere? That information would help in suggesting a solution. Without a better understanding of the problem I must stick with my comment about bolts. If you are transporting the boat the vibration increases the risk of bolt failure and I have seen the result of that. It was very sad. Ray
Any side loading of any bolt is just plain dangerous. Period. There are many ways to lift a C22. Are you lifting it off a trailer, out of the water to land or to transport it somewhere? That information would help in suggesting a solution. Without a better understanding of the problem I must stick with my comment about bolts. If you are transporting the boat the vibration increases the risk of bolt failure and I have seen the result of that. It was very sad. Ray
1984 C22 (fixed keel) launching
I am trying to get the C22 off of the trailer into the bay (SF). I do not have an extension and I do not really like the idea of dipping the trailer in saltwater. The Marina has a hoist, but not a sling. I have seen a number of small, fin keeled, boats lifted with keel bolts using hoists but not a Catalina 22 and when it works it seems the ideal way to launch a fixed keel boat. Perhaps the C22 keel design is such that this sort of lifting is never done. Well then I have to go to Plan B or C. But first I would like to fully explore Plan A
I am trying to get the C22 off of the trailer into the bay (SF). I do not have an extension and I do not really like the idea of dipping the trailer in saltwater. The Marina has a hoist, but not a sling. I have seen a number of small, fin keeled, boats lifted with keel bolts using hoists but not a Catalina 22 and when it works it seems the ideal way to launch a fixed keel boat. Perhaps the C22 keel design is such that this sort of lifting is never done. Well then I have to go to Plan B or C. But first I would like to fully explore Plan A
Couple of thoughts
Call Catalina. They are still in business and are very helpful. The Santana 20s in our club launch by hoisting with a connector on a keel bolt but I have never seen that done with a C22. A Santana 20 weighs less than a C22. If ou have a trailer then do a strap/rope launch and rinse off the trailer afterwards. I used to have a C22 and now have a C250 and strap launch all the time into our lake. When we go to salt water we get hoisted in with straps so I do understand your salt water concern but I would do the strap launch and trailer wash down before I would lift my boat by a keel bolt. Call Catalina and ask. Please post the response as I have wondered this also.
Call Catalina. They are still in business and are very helpful. The Santana 20s in our club launch by hoisting with a connector on a keel bolt but I have never seen that done with a C22. A Santana 20 weighs less than a C22. If ou have a trailer then do a strap/rope launch and rinse off the trailer afterwards. I used to have a C22 and now have a C250 and strap launch all the time into our lake. When we go to salt water we get hoisted in with straps so I do understand your salt water concern but I would do the strap launch and trailer wash down before I would lift my boat by a keel bolt. Call Catalina and ask. Please post the response as I have wondered this also.
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