New owner of 1986 catalina 25 swing keel. Is there a problem sailing with the swing keel partly down?
sailing with a swing keel
- Thread starter Anthony1
- Start date
Same question as the other day but like glass half empty vs half full???
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=167957
http://forums.catalina.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=167957
I only retract the swing keel when hauling the boat, or in shallow water, ie: near a beach or sneaking up a shallow creek.
A few years ago on the west coast a swing keel sailboat with a large number of people on board, capsized in a harbor. Don't recall the exact details but the swing keel was reported to be retracted.
Jackdaw is correct on the design factor.
A few years ago on the west coast a swing keel sailboat with a large number of people on board, capsized in a harbor. Don't recall the exact details but the swing keel was reported to be retracted.
Jackdaw is correct on the design factor.
The first time our previous Catalina 25 boat was in a travel-lift with the keel ALL the way down and I actually got a good look at it, I was amazed at the design. It is NOT the shape you would normally think. I also Concur with JackDaw but we sailed ours on a VERY shoal Lake with stumps and when we got around the stumpy shoal areas the keel was raised.
Otherwise there would be that SUDDEN STOP...
Otherwise there would be that SUDDEN STOP...
One other thing to keep in mind, you have a 1500lb. chunk of iron that is being supported with a thin cable. If it were to snap while in deep water, the result could be quite catastrophic. I always had that thought in the back of my mind with our Chrysler 26.
Question: What about racing downwind in a Catalina 22 swing keel? Does the the reduced drag with keel partially/full up increase speed enough to make it worth while? That is with fairly flat seas!