Notice:
The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ.
The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.
Our new wing keel arrived from Catalina Yachts about three weeks ago with a little confusion and is waiting to be installed at American Marine in Zebulon, NC. We are to deliver the boat to them this Fri. We don't have a promise date yet, but expect that the work shouldn't take very long after reading about "Minnie" on this forum. <img src=icon_smile_cool.gif border=0 align=middle>
It's been several years now and exactitude escapes me even when considering recent times, but I seem to remember three to four days to install the keel and several more to fair it and paint the bottom. Perhaps overall it took a week to ten days. But no matter it will be the delight of every sail to come. I only wish that I had it when sailing with the little ones, I never knew if we would get back to port what with the humming and clunking and leaking and sinking...YUCK. The bilge is so dry one might strike a match there if so inclined.
We took our boat to the boatyard in Zebulon last week to have the wing keel re-trofit done and now we are just waiting! It seems they can't start our boat until after the big boat show in Annapolis. So..we wait!<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle>
Sorry to my fellow swingers, but if I had the facilities and the $$, I'd do this upgrade in a second! Just the piece of mind. Of course it would really suck the first time I ground her out of "swinger" habit thinking "I can just crank her up!" DOH! I'm down here in Arkansas on a small lake with no trailer, no shop, no travel lift or crane, no cradle, etc. Makes it hard to work with my keel. I'll be lucky this spring to get her out and do the bottom! Good Luck to you on your conversion!!!!!!!!
Patrick Burnett, Little Rock, AR S/V Lucky Star #2707 1982 SK/SR
The upgrade including the wing keel, shipping, and installation is gonna cost us about $3,700. We are at the point that our swing has to be replaced!! It is cast iron and has chunks missing!! After looking at the price of the swing vs. the wing, the money comes out about the same! They were suppose to start our boat today, but of course it is raining like crazy!! <img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> Jason and Fran 1982 SK/SR
I can't wait to get your response to sailing with the wing. Everyone will ask for a complete comparison between the swing/wing. Be prepared. I'm still wondering, satisfied that it hasn't sunk or klunked for six years(give or take a few). It's like that with a boat that finally works for you, instead of you working for it. In truth I don't recall much difference between the two. It's so hard to be accurate . When do you ever have the identical situation on different days. Wind/current/sailtrim. Then try to remember what boat A was like now that you are figuring out boat B. I never could do a decent job comparing the two, perhaps you will be able to being forwarned. In any event my very best wishes to you and yours.
While we have one pictorial record of the wing keel retrofit, it would be great to have two, just for comparison sake. SO, if you can, try to get some pix of the surgery for all us wishful thinkers, ron # 2343 sr sk SW FL
While we have one pictorial record of the wing keel retrofit, it would be great to have two, just for comparison sake. SO, if you can, try to get some pix of the surgery for all us wishful thinkers, ron # 2343 sr sk SW FL
While we have one pictorial record of the wing keel retrofit, it would be great to have two, just for comparison sake. SO, if you can, try to get some pix of the surgery for all us wishful thinkers, ron # 2343 sr sk SW FL
While we have one pictorial record of the wing keel retrofit, it would be great to have two, just for comparison sake. SO, if you can, try to get some pix of the surgery for all us wishful thinkers, ron # 2343 sr sk SW FL
While we have one pictorial record of the wing keel retrofit, it would be great to have two, just for comparison sake. SO, if you can, try to get some pix of the surgery for all us wishful thinkers, ron # 2343 sr sk SW FL
I retrofitted a swing keeled boat and though I photographed the happening I never posted them because the event posted by Bill H was far superior to any that I had. I can't imagine wanting more than the MINNIE post. The swap is pretty straight forward and relatively simple providing you have the mechanisms needed to move and lift both the hull and or the keels. There is one retrofit that is exemplary that being the one performed by Norman from New Jersey. He pulled off the switch using floor jacks while the boat was on the trailer. Norm stand and take a bow.
One must lift the hull to drop the swing keel. The keel needs to be removed and the hull prepared to accept the wing. Then the wing is rolled under the hull and when the prescribed holes are drilled as provided by the template that comes with the kit , a prefit attempt is made to assure that all will come together. After this the wing is glopped with the material applied in the kit and the hull is lowered onto the keel. The bolts are tensioned as prescribed and the keel faired removing the excess glop squeezed out. Then one waits until all has set and finish faring proceeds.
I bought osmepneo after she had been converted, so I have no comparisons other than a general feel.
I've heard that the wing doesn't point very well. As I've "raced" with other c25's I don't find I'm any disadvantage. Of course the other c25 might not have known it was in a race, as I went to weather better, and out footed them.
I had a swing keel 22 before getting osmepneo and was never really comfportable with the heavy weight swinging, so i love the wing and as they say it works for me.
Also I like the having low draft, as I am sailing on a lake with significant water height variations during the year.
Don Peet c25, 1665, sr/wk, osmepneo Enjoy the wing, when not on the hard
Thanks for the response as to pictures, and of course I agree that "minnie" provides an exemplary post to help us all. Sorry for the multiple posts, as a computer dunce I have no idea what I did, am perfectly competent with a quill pen, all else is an adventure, fair winds, ron Orion #2343 sr sk SW FL
To delete those extra posts, click on the garbage can icon that is above the text of your post. If there is not a garbage can icon, then you are not logged in. Go to the top of the page and log in, then go back to your posts and delete them.
sorry i have not been in touch, i figured weeks did it. I guess I better start saving some boat units, maybe enough for one of weeks paint jobs. I will drop by when you are on the hard and say hello.
Frank Hi Frank,
Weeks did the keel work and should be expert by this time. It is unquestionably the best investment this hull has ever had.
If interested Brian Weeks is the brother you want to speak to.
We are still waiting for the boatyard to start working on our boat.<img src=icon_smile_sad.gif border=0 align=middle> The latest word that we have is they should be finished by the middle of Nov. Its hard to be patient when you are use to sailing every weekend and the weather has been so beautiful! Jason and Fran 1982C-25 SR/SK
If it'll help you're welcome to come sail with me. Patchogue, N.Y....about 50 miles out from the city on Long Island. I sail daily/winds up to twenty mph. Val on "CALISTA" # 3936 1983 tall swing/wing conversion
Val, thanks for the invite, but we are in NC. Some friends did take us out this past weekend. The boat yard that is doing the work is behind, and hasn't even started on our boat! We are very spoiled!! We usually sail at least two weekends a month. Guess we will sit tight and bum sails! Jason and Fran 1982 SR/SK
Notice: The advice given on this site is based upon individual or quoted experience, yours may differ. The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.