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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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SWING KEEL REPAIR

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mjnee
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Initially Posted - 01/28/2009 : 11:59:38

When I pulled out the Inis Ni this fall I noticed hanging from the Vectran cable the wheel that allows the keel to be fully retracted. Has anyone ever replaced/ repaired this? It appears to be in good shape. I'm thinking the bolts either came loose and fell out or broke off. In order to look I would have to lift the boat off the trailer. The other option would be to swim under this summer and repair it. Has anyone experienced this?

Inis Ni'

Edited by - on

britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 01/28/2009 : 13:10:06

You would need diving gear to work up there (tried it with a snorkel... na!)

Do you mean the 'turning ball' or are you referring to the 'lead block' that is screwed into the top of the keel well above the point where the line attaches to the centerboard? I'm assuming you refer to the 'lead block'.

I believe that the wheel is held in place with a rivet! So if the wheel has come out, then you should probably replace the whole lead block rather than just put a bolt in place which will most certainly wear rapidly. (assuming you operate the centerboard

)

You should find that the lead block is bolted to a metal plate with 1/4" bolts.

Any indication what caused this???

Paul

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2009 : 06:54:24

Hi Mike... It is likely that the block that you have hanging on the line is the turning block that should be located above the center board about mid distance of the trunk. I'm trying to remember how it was secured, and if I recall correctly was secured to two imbedded studs and it's likely that you simply lost the nuts. Don't hold me to that as it may be secured by bolts.

I used to have the Catalina drawing on my site but removed those drawings a while back. Call Catalina and they can email the drawing to you or it might possibly be on the Association site with the online manual. If you can't find it, I might have the drawing on an archive disk but can't say for sure.

Paul is right, because it is way up inside the trunk, the fix means either a haul out or diving gear. If hauling out to a trailer, it will then require removing the center board. The best course is a boat lift and very likely it will be a quick fix of repositioning the bracket onto the studs and adding two new stainless nuts with lock washers.

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mjnee
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2009 : 11:56:57

I think I'll take it to the boat yard lift. I think the reason it happened is I replaced the keel cable with vectran last year and I should have taken the time to check out other potential problems while it was up.

I'll bring bolts and nuts with me. Once its in the air there isn't a lot of time to figure out what I need and what needs to be done. Do you think leaving the keel hanging half way down would be a problem? I would be tempted to remove the lead block from the cable and let the keel hang.
Mike

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2009 : 14:47:57

Just to be clear, Mike, you have a C250 water ballast with a center board, right? If that's the case, it's subsantially different than a keel with the inherent problems associated with a lot of weight.

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mjnee
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2009 : 16:43:20

Yes. I have a water ballast, swing keel. I would almost prefer to let it hang except my mooring is only in 18 inches of water at low tide and we will often run the boat up on Browns Banke for a little picnic at low tide. These are the times I usually will retract the keel. I'm not sure if I let it hang whether there might be a problem.

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John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2009 : 17:49:24

The point is, that you don't have a keel. You have a centerboard. I don't bring this up to be a PITA, but rather to point out that a centerboard is much lighter than a keel so the hardware that supports it doesn't have to be as robust.

Yes, I think that leaving the centerboard hang without securing it in the up position could be a problem. I know this guy (very, very well

) that used to have a little O'Day Daysailer and he didn't secure the centerboard when putting it on the trailer. At the next launch, as he tried to back it off the trailer, the centerboard got stuck in between the supports and the axle. Had to find a lift to get it free. I could see a similar thing happening if you beach your boat with the centerboard not secure. As you backed it out to re-float it, it would likely hang up and you'll have a real mess. Maybe even a broken centerboard. Paul (BritinUSA) posted an interesting video a while back of a Mac that tried to refloat off a beach with his centerboard down and that was the result.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 01/29/2009 : 22:14:36

Maybe these pictures can help here? I took these when I decided to remove my old ablative paint and repaint with VC17. Looking back at the pictures, it sure looks ugly! I'm so glad I went with VC-17

Keel Trench. To the right the bottom Water Ballast intake valve.

Turning ball

Keel and Cable attachment

Keel pivot

Edited by - Steve Blackburn on 01/30/2009 22:01:23

mjnee
1st Mate

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USA
36 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2009 : 11:25:38

Thanks Steve. Nice pictures. I can't quite make out whether I need bolts or nuts. I would guess the bolt would be imbeded in the trunk and I would need a nut and lock washer (stainless). Either way I'll fix it. There are always plenty of things that can go wrong and I don't need another one. Thanks for all your help.

Edited by - on

Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2009 : 17:44:50

Mike, it wouldn't hurt to use some blue locktite as well. A call to Catalina will yield the info on what you will need.

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Steve Blackburn
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
1091 Posts

Response Posted - 01/30/2009 : 22:04:04

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mjnee
 Thanks Steve. Nice pictures. I can't quite make out whether I need bolts or nuts. I would guess the bolt would be imbeded in the trunk and I would need a nut and lock washer (stainless). Either way I'll fix it. There are always plenty of things that can go wrong and I don't need another one. Thanks for all your help.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Mike if what you mean by the bolts is from my last picture, then from the fiberglass bottom you need 1 flat washer, then 1 lock washer, then the bolt. Use plenty of Locktite on the bolt threads and you're all set.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 01/31/2009 : 03:09:21

Give us a report on what you find and whether the block is secured with bolts or nuts on studs. My curiosity is piqued. Thanks

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essen48183
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2009 : 17:56:33

In one of those pictures, it looks like a residential fence about 4 feet away. How do you guys lift your boat on the trailer in the driveway to get to the keel or to do a bottom job? I need to do both before launching.

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Arlyn Stewart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2980 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2009 : 19:43:36

The one time I removed the CB, I jacked the bow up from the trailer. This included letting the trailer fall as much as possible.

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essen48183
Navigator

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USA
143 Posts

Response Posted - 02/12/2009 : 19:57:43

Thanks, Arlyn. I'll give it a try. I found this great post afterwards that may be a help to someone else. http://www.catalina-capri-25s.org/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=17365& SearchTerms=raising,bunks It helps to know I can get to it just raising the bow.

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