09/25/2008 2:26 PM Pacific Time hi, i just got a catalina 22. i am wondering how the swing keel assembly takes being high and dry, like when the tide goes out? is it strong enough to handle it?
Bruce J Loughton Earleville MD
Boat Name:
Model/Year: C22 70 something
Hull No.
Hailing Port: Bohemia River
11/10/2008 3:06 PM Pacific Time I've had my C22 at anchor in front of the house for 12 years (pull it out just before the ice and put it back as soon as the ice goes) I learnt the hard way that regular grounding is not a good thing....the continual banging eventually broke the bolts on the pin brackets and then I noticed that the pin hole was eliptesized, not sure if this happened as a result of the banging or if it was old age but I did notice that the keel pocket had signs of chaffing. That was the first year, since then Ive moved the mooring out a few yards where low water never gets below about 3 feet....no more problems. In a nut shell I would say that the keel hardware is stout enough to handle occassional groundings but I would definately advise against letting it become a habit.
Greg Guenther Belleville, IL
Boat Name: Magnificat
Model/Year: 1970
Hull No. 473
Hailing Port: Belleville, IL
11/11/2008 4:09 AM Pacific Time I agree about regular grounding. If you look at the assembly, you will see that the 500# or so of keel is suspended by four very small bolts on a 1" brass pin. That is a lot of leverage that can be applied to one small point on the hull. I am amazed that they perform as reliably as they do without the additional stress.