catalina 22 swing keels

[mstrud]

im thinking of buying a 1982 catalina 22 swing keel. I had heard from an old salt that if you cant get the keel up or down, you'll never be able to get it up or down. I would have thought if it's stuck for some reason a new pin, bushing, ball, winch and cable would without a doubt fix it. Has anyone ever experienced a swing keel sticking perminantly and unfixable? Does anyone have any other input for a prospective catalina buyer?

 

[gobigkahuna]

Re: catalina 22 swing keels

I would think that it depends on what's causing the swing keel from functioning. Lot's of possible things could be causing this: marine growth/fouling, broken lifting mechanism, bent pivot pin from grounding, etc. Without seeing what is causing the problem, it's almost impossible to predict how difficult the fix might be.

 

[nwslider]

Re: catalina 22 swing keels

I know on most swing keel boats there is a gasket mounted to the bottom of the boat that the keep swings up and down through, like on a SJ 21. Removing this gasket can be very helpful in getting a stuck keel to start swinging.

Also try to get the pivot pin out, this should be done as a yearly maint. anyway.

 

[Mas]

Re: catalina 22 swing keels

Salt water can cause a lot of barnacle growth in the keel trunk if its moored for long periods without maintenance...that'll stop a keel from moving.

MAS