Swing Keel Roller Trailer Adjustments
Ron, Re: "... I would like to know if the weight is distributed at the keel, or the bottom of the hull ..." I also have a 1979 Catalina 25 swing keel and a roller trailer which were purchased separately from each other. When fitting a trailer to a swing keel boat, the weight of the keel needs to be supported separately from the weight of the rest of the boat. The idea is that after the hull is correctly postioned on the rollers, the keel is then lowered a very short distance onto a separate support structure. This may be easier said than done. Unlike a fixed keel boat, a swing keel hull is not designed to ever put its weight on the keel. Also, the swing keel lifting system is not designed to withstand road shocks. Be sure to allow room for suspension travel between the axles and the keel with the winch cable slack. If an axle were to strike the keel while going over a bump, expensive bad things would happen instantly. Good luck! -- Leon Sisson
