Swing keelor fixed keel?

[Michel]

I am in the process of buying a used 22 ft sailboat from the 70's, I have the choice between a fixed keel O'day and a swing keel Catalina, do you have any suggestion as to whether a fixed keel is peferable to a swing one, given the age of the boat?

 

[tbarnby]

How are you going to use it?

Well, there is not enough information to give you a good answer. There are pros and cons to the fixed keel boat. Fixed keeel boats are a little bit harder to trailer, but don't have the leaking problems ande pivot point problems that can develop in a swingkeel boat. Now, the Catalina has a huge advantage in that parts are readily available at Catalilna Direct. Oday is out of business, so you'll be dependant on the used-part market, or modifications to fit other model parts.

 

[Mike]

I agree

If the choice is between the Oday 22 or the Catalina 22, its not really a fixed vs. swing keel debate. The Catalina is a true swing keel with the ballast in the centerboard (about 800 lbs. if I remember correctly). The Oday 22 was a stub keel boat with the ballast encapsulated within the fiberglass stub keel. It only drew about 1'3". Because the Oday keel is so shallow, you don't get a lot of the "benefits" of a fixed keel: deeper draft leads to a stiffer sailing motion, better stability and better pointing ability. You do get a boat that is easier to trailer. Many consider the Catalina 22 swing keel model to be a better sailer than the Oday 22 because of the deeper draft afforded by the centerboard.It seems you may be concerned about the durability of the Catalina keel given the age of the boat. This is a valid concern. Make sure the centerboard crank works smoothly before buying. I think it is supposed to take 22 cranks to fully raise or lower the board. As the other poster noted, if the unit does develop problems, you could not be in a better position: Catalina is still in business and sells new parts, and the 22 is the single most popular and successful fiberglass sailboat ever made. You won't suffer for lack of expertise.

 

[Bob]

One opinion

My best friend had a 70's O'Day 22 (bought it because the price was so low). When he sailed it he found out why - not to step on any toes, but it is a 'dog' upwind. Every other boat on the water will point higher and make less leeway than this boat. He was sorry he had bought it after the first sail. Its only advantages were trailerability and being able to get into really shallow water. The later generation O'Day 22s are much better boats, but stay away from this one. If this doesn't convince you, read the Practical Sailor review.

 

[Al Hughes]

Vote for Swing Keel

I have a Catalina 22 #81 that I bought in 1970 and the swing keel has worked perfectly. The Only problem that I have seen is the wear on the swing keel bolt, but with good maintance and inspection all will work well. Too..Check the swing keel cable for frayed areas. All sail- boat of this size have trade-offs. Write down what you want to do with your boat and see which one fits you needs the best. Fair winds AL