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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

New PROUD owner of a '79 C25!

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Drews Cruise
1st Mate

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USA
39 Posts

Initially Posted - 08/25/2017 : 15:35:50

Hey all,

I'm new here and just thought I'd introduce myself. I've started working on my 1979 Catalina 25 several weeks ago and wanted to say that I love this forum and all the amazing in depth information that you all share and I look forward to being a solid contributor!

Check out the Youtube videos I've made of my beautiful Catalina... https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCt4oqmlzwx978U_W8wMzcFQ

Still thinking of a name, she will soon be painted red! So far I've cleaned her, done some fiberglass hull repairs, and added some bottom paint. Next up is keel maintenance (is it supposed to sway back and forth?). I've also been doing wood work and intend to paint the topside red and deck white. The bottom is black.

Can't wait to take her out for a sail.

Cheers!

Drew

Drew C. | 1979 Catalina 25 SK TR #1420
http://bit.ly/Click_Here_For_My_Catalina_25_Videos

Bladeswell
Captain

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USA
490 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2017 : 20:16:44

Hi Drew,

And welcome aboard. As it happens, my boat is also a "79". You asked if it might be normal for the keel to sway back and forth. Well, first we need to know if your boat is a fin keel, like mine or is it a swing keel. Sense yours seems to be swaying, lets hope its a swing keel. Next, when you say swaying, do you mean from side to side or from for and aft ? Some of the others will be able to help you better than I sense my boat is a fin keel. Anyway, welcome once again and best of luck with your new boat.

Bladeswell

C25 TR FK Hull #973 1979 L-Dinette. So.Cal.

Drews Cruise
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 08/25/2017 : 20:52:39

Hey, thanks for the reply. My Catalina is a Swing Keel and it is swaying side to side when I push it around on the trailer. I'm pretty sure that a PO had dealt with a broken keel cable in the past, not sure if that's relevant.

I think I'm going to have to lower the keel and install spacers and possibly do some fiberglass work on the keel trunk because there seems to be a leak in the trunk area.

I will update my signature to SK btw...now that I've realized what it means.

Drew C. | 1979 Catalina 25 SK TR #1420
http://bit.ly/Click_Here_For_My_Catalina_25_Videos

Bladeswell
Captain

Members Avatar

USA
490 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 06:41:27

Hi again Drew,

I was pretty sure it would be a side to side movement and a swing keel but you just never know without asking. So, You will want to get familiar with CD, (Catalina Direct). They are our main source of parts and information. It might be catalinadirect.com, but just google it up for the right address. They have a spacer upgrade kit for your sk. And while you are changing your signiture, add tr or sr to show us tall rig or standard rig. you might also consider adding the sail number.

Bladeswell

C25 TR FK Hull #973 1979 L-Dinette. So.Cal.

Stinkpotter
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
9013 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 08:00:26

Welcome Drew... If the lifting mechanism (cable, winch, or attachments) fails, that 1500 lb.s of cast iron can do some damage, and commonly causes a leak around the keel trunk. Repairs are not trivial, since there are some significant forces at work in that area. Lateral movement can be related to the components of the pivot (hangars, pin, bushing, etc.) that are available from Catalina Direct. Their spacers apparently can also help reduce the movement.

Take some pictures inside and out, showing any cracks you can see, for the SK folks here to look at. (I'm not one of them.) The Search function (above) also will give you lots of discussions on this and other issues.

Name for a red boat... Tanager?

Dave Bristle
Association "Port Captain" for Mystic/Stonington CT
PO of 1985 C-25 SR/FK #5032 Passage, USCG "sixpack" (expired),
Now on Eastern 27 $+!nkp*+ Sarge

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 08/26/2017 08:06:11

oldengineer1949
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
75 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 09:20:09

Drew,

My Pualani Nui is a swing keel, and the side-to-side movement is normally not a good thing. If your boat has been in salt water for any length of time, the keel pivot bolt and keel brackets and bolts need a thorough examination. As Dave (Stinkpotter) mentioned in his posts, Catalina Direct has a rebuild kit for the keel pivot assembly, with additional spacers that will almost eliminate the side-to-side movement of the keel. BE YE CAREFUL! That keel weighs 1500 pounds! Fortunately, this site has several strings that show how to work on that heavy keel. I looked at the first video of your series, and ... DAYEM! You have some serious restoral work ahead of you. Don't be discouraged, you have one of the best-sailing pocket cruisers ever made. Put in the "sweat equity" now, and your boat will reward you with many years of happy sailing. Keep us posted on your progress, and ask lots of questions. There is no such thing as a stupid question here on this forum.

Regards,

Al and Bernadette, "Pualani Nui", '82 C25 SR/SK, homeport MCB Quantico

Akenumber
Navigator

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USA
247 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 11:35:15

Hi, Drew and welcome. I was wondering if you had found a live aboard spot in san diego. They are very rare here. The city doesn't like too many of them. Some people move from cove to cove staying the max allowed time, but that can be a lot of work. I watched your videos, keep up the good work.

Ken
San Diego
84 C25 SR/FK 4116
The KRAKEN

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 08/26/2017 : 17:49:23

If the keel sways a lot, the hole in the keel for the pivot pin is probably enlarged and elongated. The sleeve kit suggests adding weld to the keel and drilling it out for a press fit for the sleeve. I posted how I did it with a 1/2" drill and high strength epoxy. It has been fine for a number of years. I don't remember when I did it, but al least 6-7 years ago, maybe 10.

edit:
I also posted stabilizing the keel laterally by putting thin nylon fender washers, sanded to about half thickness, over the pivot pin and against the keel, backed them with polished SS fender washers. The idea was for the nylon to be pressed against the rough surface of the keel and slide on the polished SS. That has kept my keel stable and clunk free for the same length of time.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

Edited by - Dave5041 on 08/26/2017 17:58:04

Drews Cruise
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 08/27/2017 : 18:29:15

Alright boys, got the keel lowered. Want to get your opinion on the damage. Do I need to do some fiberglass repair on the keel trunk or what? I guess that will require cutting into the port side dinette seat like this guy..http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=29405

Bladeswell, I will check out Catalina Direct and order the required replacement parts. You will see in the pics that the keel pin definitely needs a replacement. Also, I will take a look at my sails and update the sail number, I appreciate the suggestion.

Dave B., Yep, there is way too much lateral movement and so I will be ordering the replacement parts and spacers from catalina direct. Thanks for the advice.

Al, my boat surely needs a lot of work. After I get this keel issue resolved I think I will be able to do anything :)

Akenumber, Yes, I found a live aboard spot in SD. TBH the hardest part is finding a slip that will take a boat as small as mine. They seem to be mostly concerned with livability and don't want a bunch of homeless people hanging around. The spot I found is $400/mo + $350 live aboard fee. Pretty steep but worth it IMO.

I really appreciate your replies and how helpful ya'll are. Thanks again.

Drew C. | 1979 Catalina 25 SK TR #1420
http://bit.ly/Click_Here_For_My_Catalina_25_Videos

Edited by - Drews Cruise on 08/28/2017 12:36:13

JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1519 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2017 : 05:53:41

The swing keel trunk can be damaged by various motions of the swing keel, and it needs to be solid and water-tight. My friend with a C25 SK on the Narragansett Bay hired a professional fiberglass guy to repair his keel box. The professional worker applied several layers of cloth and epoxy over a number of days to strengthen the whole area significantly. You will want to do this work well.

JohnP
1978 C25 SR/FK "Gypsy"
Mill Creek off the Magothy River, Chesapeake Bay
Port Captain, northern Chesapeake Bay

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

Members Avatar

USA
3754 Posts

Response Posted - 08/29/2017 : 17:16:05

You will probably need the sleeve as well judging by the pin. Check the hole diameter and shape. Also, do you have the CD cable attachment or the old eyebolt? Upgrade it its the eyebolt.

Dave B. aboard Pearl
1982 TR/SK/Trad. #3399
Lake Erie/Florida Panhandle

Drews Cruise
1st Mate

Members Avatar

USA
39 Posts

Response Posted - 09/01/2017 : 12:30:21

Thanks Dave, ordered the sleeve as well. I have the old eye bolt, what is the benefit of the new one other than it fitting better when the keel is raised due to free movement? The new bolts are like $50 and IDK if it's worth it as long as the OEM one works decently and won't break...

John, I have filled the boat with water and though I see fiberglass damage in the trunk from the top of the keel scraping I can't see any water seeping through to the keel trunk on the outside. Not sure if this is a good way to check for leaks or not but doing all I can before tearing up the floor in the inside.

Drew C. | 1979 Catalina 25 SK TR #1420
http://bit.ly/Click_Here_For_My_Catalina_25_Videos

Edited by - Drews Cruise on 09/01/2017 12:41:13

odonnellryanc
Navigator

Members Avatar

108 Posts

Response Posted - 09/05/2017 : 06:49:56

I wonder if there's any way for you to patch from the inside, even if it wouldn't be absolutely perfect?

Never read about damage here on these boats: I have a swing keel myself, I'll have to make sure I check this out when it comes out of the water this winter.

Read a lot about the thru-hulls, however. I have the old "volcano" style... just hoping they last another month or two until we pull the boat out.

If you're going to live aboard a C25 (props to you!) would your time and money be better spent on reliable pumps + high water alarm?

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