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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

Catalina 250 Specific Forum

Centerboard tube length

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/28/2012 : 13:08:34

It seems the fiberglass portion of my centerboard tube terminates INSIDE the bottom step of my boat. Just curious, does anyone else out there have their hose clamps on the centerboard tube INSIDE the step box?
Willy

Edgy, WB#655
Dewey Beach, DE

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2012 : 13:53:26

with no responses, I have to assume that NOBODY elses centerboard tube terminates inside the bottom step.

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dubedoo
1st Mate

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68 Posts

Response Posted - 05/29/2012 : 14:24:39

I haven't replied Bill because (this is embarrasing) I can't remember and I won't be back to the boat until at least next weekend. I can visualize the hose coming up but can't remember if the hose connects inside or outside the bottom step enclosure and when I added more hose I just added it to the existing...I didn't remove the existing hose. Will check next time I'm at the boat.

Steve
C250 WB #702

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Turtle
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2012 : 12:36:05

My 1995 is set-up as you describe. The fiberglass tube ends inside the box that supports the bottom step. The rubber tube continues up from there. The rubber tube is connected to the fiberglass tube with a pair of stainless hose clamps.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2012 : 13:10:10

Turtle, are you on Fern Ridge? Which marina? We're at EYC. Three C250's there.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 05/30/2012 13:11:42

willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 05/30/2012 : 15:07:16

Turtle,
If that is the case you will NOT be able to use the Centerboard Turning Kit, http://www.catalinadirect.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=product.display&product_ID=2360 , sold by both Catalina Direct and Catalina to retrofit the glassed in ball at the bottom of the centerboard tube. Also, be careful to NEVER remove the tube while the boat is in the water unless you want a fountain in your cabin. I'm not certain why there is no notification on the Catalina Direct Website regarding this potential nightmare unless they are not aware that Catalina changed the design of the tube. Why this tube was shortened I will never understand as IMHO it's a real potential problem. You can glass or epoxy a fiberglass extension to the tube but it is really problematic as the boat has to be either on a sling or really high jackstands to do it.
Willy

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Turtle
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2012 : 12:19:46

Randy,
My wife and I are EYC members, but we typically keep the 250 at Odell Lake for the summer months. However, I hope to put the boat in at the club on Saturday and keep it there for the month of June.

I've looked over Nauti Duck at the EYC dock for rigging ideas. Saw your boat on the water last weekend while I crewed on Vortex for the regatta. I will introduce myself when our paths cross.

Richard Boyles

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Turtle
Deckhand

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USA
7 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2012 : 12:38:18

Willy,
Thanks for sharing your experience. I found my turning ball wasn't working after the steel cable parted last fall. Bought the turning ball replacement kit but did not like tackling the project. Eventually co-erced the turnball into turning freely again and replaced the cable with vectran line replacement kit from Catalina Direct. (Looking forward to seeing that it works this weekend.) I expect the turning ball will eventually sieze permanently and need to be replaced. You say the kit won't work for the water ballast boat, but I am unclear why. Can you elaborate? Is the kit only suitable for the WK version of the boat? I know I have only found a single turning ball on my boat and I don't see how the kit could be installed.

As for the rubber hose connected to the fiberglass tube with hose clamps, I assumed the top of the tube was below the waterline (at least when the boat is ballasted)and that a failure in the hose or the clamps could be catastrophic. It sounds like you have gathered some direct experience, perhaps when trying to install the turning ball kit? My boat spends the winter on the trailer, so replacing hose and clamps periodically wouldn't be too big a maintenance item.

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Nautiduck
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3704 Posts

Response Posted - 06/01/2012 : 13:14:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Turtle
 Randy,
My wife and I are EYC members, but we typically keep the 250 at Odell Lake for the summer months. However, I hope to put the boat in at the club on Saturday and keep it there for the month of June.

I've looked over Nauti Duck at the EYC dock for rigging ideas. Saw your boat on the water last weekend while I crewed on Vortex for the regatta. I will introduce myself when our paths cross.

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

Odell must be beautiful to sail on. Yes, we cut through the fleet during a race on Sunday. I think we slipped between the Santana 20's and the next class without getting in anyone's way.

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willy
Captain

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USA
422 Posts

Response Posted - 06/05/2012 : 05:10:34

Turtle,
The stainless cassette that holds the two turning balls that is the Retrofit Kit will not work for your boat because it is too long for the centerboard tube on your boat. There is a pin at the top of the cassette for holding it in place that would stick out the top of the tube with nowhere to find purchase. Also installation requires a precise pair of lateral holes be drilled in the top of the tube for pin insertion. While its a moot point because the cassette is too long, there is no way you could get a drill into the step box to drill any hole let alone one that precise. Catalina sent me a fiberglass tube and some epoxy to lengthen the existing tube, and I am pretty good at this sort of thing, but it took me two times on the sling and finally the assistance of a friend who is a tool and die maker. Tool and die makers are extremely skilled but rare. Bottom line, I would let a Catalina Dealer do it. I'm not sure what Catalina's position on paying for that would be as in my conversations with Gerry Douglas he is pretty adamant that this whole thing is not a design flaw or a mistake. While I am certain I don't agree with that(why would they sell a retrofit that doesn't fit? Why, when you purchased the kit, wouldn't they tell you it won't work for the New Designed???? boats. Why would the tube terminate below the waterline? I'm no engineer. My best guess is that the longer tube, as illustrated in your manual under CB raising system was difficult to get out of the mold. If they had a problem with one, this was their quick fix. THIS IS ONLY A GUESS I made in trying to find some logic in the situation. (There doesn't seem to be a date available for when the design changover was put in place) This has been a HUGE AND EXPENSIVE NIGHTMARE.

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