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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 25 Specific Forum

Swing keel hum/vibration

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Ciguena
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/08/2009 : 16:22:53

New owner sailing in stiff breezes recently heard humming and possibly a vague vibration which I presume came from the swing keel or the cable that controls its position.

Is this ominous? Dangerous? Fixable? Can be ignored?

Chuck, An ancient mariner

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2009 : 16:53:13

It is the song of a swing keel. You will get to know it, it will talk to you. You can release more keel cable and it should go away. It 's sound is a function of boat speed and cable tension.

Edited by - on

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2009 : 19:04:35

Indeed,

And if your hand is sensitive enough, you may be able to feel the vibration generated by the cable oscillating while controlling the tiller.

hummmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

It's the loud thunking sound that one must be concerned -- usually associated with the swing keel breaking away from the cable as it crashes into the hull.

Nonetheless, I don't think the cable hum is a concern. I have had the hum many times, and as Frank has suggested: loosen the tension on the cable to remove the sound.

Deric

Edited by - on

Ciguena
Deckhand

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6 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2009 : 19:10:44

Thanks. guys, for the quick and reassuring comments. Chuck

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2009 : 22:17:54

Also works as a passive speedometer. Faster speed = higher pitch in the hum.

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StSimon
Captain

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USA
298 Posts

Response Posted - 04/08/2009 : 23:26:04

While most responses to this question dealt with minimizing the hum I say why?

When I get the Hum, I start checking the knotmeter and GPS to see what we're making.

I used to go down and make a couple of turns but after a while...

I love the Hum.

Edited by - on

Dave5041
Former Mainsheet Editor

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USA
3758 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 08:39:31

I count on the hum to know I'm maintainng over 4 kts without looking at anything.

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JohnP
Master Marine Consultant

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1520 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 13:16:25

My pal's C-25 SR/SK hums over 4 knots and the hum gets higher with more speed.

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Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 04/09/2009 : 20:54:18

Ahh sometimes the hum interferes with the key center of the song that's blasting on the boom box.

For example, if the song on the boom box is in the key of C, and the hum is C# oooh the miner second can drive one to jump overboard -- we can't have that now can we?

Ah but yes, the hum is another indicator to measure (sense) boat speed.

Deric

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pjeffarch
Navigator

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USA
135 Posts

Response Posted - 04/25/2009 : 13:08:22

We call it 'hummage'...as in "ahhh, we've got hummage!" I love how Frank puts it: "the song of the swing keel"...thanks Frank!

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pwhallon
Admiral

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USA
694 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 09:30:28

I had a swinger.

Warning danger, warning danger.

If it starts clunking it could need shimms and a new pivot bolt. (I forget what its' called).

IMHO....get the wing keel kit installed. You'll be a winger, from a swinger...LOL. She'll sail much better and you will sleep much better.

The value will go up and you can keep the swinger trailer too.

There have been several posts over the years of swing keels falling off, or cabels breaking, and wrecking the boat.

PW

Edited by - pwhallon on 05/01/2009 09:35:38

Deric
Captain

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USA
408 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 15:00:51

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
Originally posted by pwhallon:
The value will go up and you can keep the swinger trailer too. <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">.

How much value does a wing (kit) add to the boat after the swing keel has been replaced?

Best,
Deric

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dmpilc
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4593 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 15:29:36

Depends on the age of the boat. I doubt converting to a wing adds enough value to cover the cost. There are other considerations, convenience, apparent safety, etc. Anyway, that only matters if you are planning/needing to sell her. We've owned our C-22 for 32 years this fall. Last year I had the bottom done for trailer-sailing and racing (anti-fouling pain to offshore epoxy), and had the hull painted. It was not a decision driven by value-added considerations, rather I wanted to improve the boat's looks. I hope one day to pass it on to our daughter.

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Even Chance
Captain

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USA
393 Posts

Response Posted - 05/01/2009 : 18:19:41

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by pwhallon
 I had a swinger.

Warning danger, warning danger.

If it starts clunking it could need shimms and a new pivot bolt. (I forget what its' called).

IMHO....get the wing keel kit installed. You'll be a winger, from a swinger...LOL. She'll sail much better and you will sleep much better.

The value will go up and you can keep the swinger trailer too.

There have been several posts over the years of swing keels falling off, or cabels breaking, and wrecking the boat.

PW
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

That's a three thousand dollar solution to a problem that costs zero to a couple hundred dollars. It costs nothing to loosen the cable. Replacing the entire keel hardware -- winch, pennant, castings, pivot pin, etc. -- will cost two or three hundred dollars (or so). Out of hundreds of swing keels manufactured, there have been a few disaster stories, usually (in my memory) linked to poor or zero preventative maintenance. Replace the cable every couple of years, check the keel annually, and beware of people who predict the end of the world.

Edited by - on

Jay Schkloven
1st Mate

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USA
84 Posts

Response Posted - 05/02/2009 : 08:18:22

You need to ignore the comments from the doom and gloom folks. Just like replacing the bald tires on the trailer is good maintainance. The swing keel will give good serving if the maintainance is done properly. Cable and ball replacement every 2 to 3 years is cheap preventive maintainance. If the winch is bad, a new one is easy to replace.
For certain sailing locations the swing keel gets you in and out when even the wing will dig in the mud.
The boat sails wonderfully with the swing keel and you do not need to worry about speed because the keel with sing when all is going right.

Edited by - on

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