I have a Cat 22 with a swing keel, that I will be mooring in salt water. Should I keep the keel up or down? Also, any further suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks
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Keel Up
Hi There, I believe that the best position for the swing keel in a moored position or docked is Keel Up. That is if you are not attending the boat for periods of time. It keeps the keel from rubbing the fiberglass housing, and keeps most of the keel cable inside of the boat and out of the water. Happy Mooring,
Dave LaPere
Hi There, I believe that the best position for the swing keel in a moored position or docked is Keel Up. That is if you are not attending the boat for periods of time. It keeps the keel from rubbing the fiberglass housing, and keeps most of the keel cable inside of the boat and out of the water. Happy Mooring,
Dave LaPereUp vs. Down
I disagree with David, I have been slipped in salt water and moored in fresh water. I feel that the keel in the "locked down" position provides the most stability for the boat, and less wear and tear on the swing keel pennant. I have watched boats without the keel down bounce around and sink when the boat rise and fall quickly break through when the keel does not move the same as the boat (three separate boats). The motions of the boat with the keel down vs. up are differ greatly. Just watch your own boat as an experiment. I think down is better and will probably catch h*** for my opinion. Happy Mooring
I disagree with David, I have been slipped in salt water and moored in fresh water. I feel that the keel in the "locked down" position provides the most stability for the boat, and less wear and tear on the swing keel pennant. I have watched boats without the keel down bounce around and sink when the boat rise and fall quickly break through when the keel does not move the same as the boat (three separate boats). The motions of the boat with the keel down vs. up are differ greatly. Just watch your own boat as an experiment. I think down is better and will probably catch h*** for my opinion. Happy Mooring
up or down
The mechanical engineer I purchased my 1982 C22 from was convinced that up and locked is better. The nice folks at Catalina Direct said no, keep it down, since all that weight down low, keeps it more stable. As far as a test, my wife and I found that, when she's below, she gets jounced around much more when I step off the boat with the keel up, than when we have it down. So we think down is more stable. Having said THAT, I'm sure wiser folks than I will tell you that keeping this swing keel boat in salt water is incredibly corrosive. But if it's your only option...
The mechanical engineer I purchased my 1982 C22 from was convinced that up and locked is better. The nice folks at Catalina Direct said no, keep it down, since all that weight down low, keeps it more stable. As far as a test, my wife and I found that, when she's below, she gets jounced around much more when I step off the boat with the keel up, than when we have it down. So we think down is more stable. Having said THAT, I'm sure wiser folks than I will tell you that keeping this swing keel boat in salt water is incredibly corrosive. But if it's your only option...
Check depth
J: Check the depth of the water at the very lowest tides before deciding!You don't want the boat jamming the keel on the bottom since the force will be transmitted straight up unlike hitting bottom while underway. Barry Broyles C22 # 1909 "Brighteyes"
J: Check the depth of the water at the very lowest tides before deciding!You don't want the boat jamming the keel on the bottom since the force will be transmitted straight up unlike hitting bottom while underway. Barry Broyles C22 # 1909 "Brighteyes"
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