Hull / Keel / Rudder / Tiller

Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Hull / Keel / Rudder / Tiller / Swing Keel Trunk Repair...if possible...
 
 
Author Swing Keel Trunk Repair...if possible...
Matthew Porter
Lake Hartwell, SC

Boat Name:

Model/Year: '77 C-22 Swing Keel

Hull No. 6723

Hailing Port: Big Water Marina
07/10/2006 5:28 AM Pacific Time

I have a 1977 Catalina 22 which I am very proud of. After taking out some friends the other night I woke up to 8-10 inches of water in the bilge. Once the bilge pump got all of the water out, we found the culprit. It seems that one of the three previous owners ran hard aground, enough to crack the swing keel trunk. It is very obvious that there have been repairs made in the past.

The marina where the boat is kept is saying that they will fix it, but by grinding down to the original fiberglass and adding structural supports to the side of the trunk. From what most other people are telling me, any fix is only temporary and the structural integrity of the hull has been breached.

If anyone has any ideas, please submit them. I'm at a loss for words....
R. C. Luiken
Milford, DE

Boat Name: Ricochet

Model/Year: C-22 Swing Keel/1986

Hull No. 13560

Hailing Port: Milford, DE/St. Michaels, MD
07/11/2006 4:33 AM Pacific Time

Matthew, A friend of mine developed a weak spot in the hull of his 43' boat. He literally cut out an oval about 3' loing and 2' high and glassed in new material. That was done six years ago. He sold the boat about three weeks ago and the survey came up clean. Done properly, and your decription sounds proper, my experience tells me you should be fine. Because of the location of your problem, I would suggest glass repairs be made on the exterior as well as the interior. Not knowing where your boat is, any repairs to the exterior should have new gel coat over the repair, or a barrier coat prior to applying bottom paint.
Greg Guenther
Belleville, IL

Boat Name: Magnificat

Model/Year: 1970

Hull No. 473

Hailing Port: Belleville, IL
07/11/2006 4:37 AM Pacific Time

Matt,
R C is right. I have done some fiberglass repair and had a friend who did repair professionally in one of my outbuildings on the farm. You can fix ANYTHING fiberglass. I think that in that sensitive area I would have a professional do the work but see no reason it can't be repaired as good as new.

Good luck.

Greg
Matthew Porter
Lake Hartwell, SC

Boat Name:

Model/Year: '77 C-22 Swing Keel

Hull No. 6723

Hailing Port: Big Water Marina
07/11/2006 7:11 PM Pacific Time

Well here's the utmost truth. This is a boat that I have done a lot of work on, but really have not fully purchased yet. In fact, the owner has let me use the boat and do whatever I want for the past month with no question of money. Even so, I've done so much work on her I've gotten to the point where she is mine, no matter the cost.

BUT, many people have told me to walk away from the deal, even those that have agreed to do the repairs. As you and I both know, that's easier said than done once you fall in love with a boat. I'm really struggling to make a decision as to if it's worth the time, effort, money, or heartache. The damage has been called severe and there's even some cracks where the bottom of the compression post meets the keel trunk.

The current owner has offered to pay the first $800 for repairs and also reduce the price of the boat to $2700. It has many upgrades and other than this, it is in good condition (although this is pretty major).

So, if this was you, would you stay or would you go? I can provide pictures if it makes the decision easier...
R. C. Luiken
Milford, DE

Boat Name: Ricochet

Model/Year: C-22 Swing Keel/1986

Hull No. 13560

Hailing Port: Milford, DE/St. Michaels, MD
07/12/2006 5:07 AM Pacific Time

Well, what's that about monkey wrenches and wheels?? I believe that your compression post revelation has a lot to do with the HARD aground excursion. My own personal problem with the deal is the price. At $1,900 you are not getting any bargain on a boat which you have already done a lot of work on and, what's worse, needs more.

I too know how wrapped up you can get in a boat. I had a '76 model as part of a partnership to help out a friend who was going through financial problems. After I, and I stress I, worked my bazonga off to get the boat in tip top shape one of the other partners launched the boat, didn't secure the turnbuckles on the rigging and we lost the mast. Last year we just gave it away, I cried.

Unless the boat has a lot of other things going for it, I would walk away.
Matthew Porter
Lake Hartwell, SC

Boat Name:

Model/Year: '77 C-22 Swing Keel

Hull No. 6723

Hailing Port: Big Water Marina
07/13/2006 7:04 PM Pacific Time

After a thorough review of the damage yesterday, I invited the seller on a walk, prepared to break the news to him. After some talk he got down to it, he decided to trailer the boat to a local professional (whom I know well, very good reputation) to have the boat fixed.

Here's the kicker, since he really wants me to have the boat (we're good friends), he's going to pay to have the boat fixed, no matter the cost and all I have to do is pay him that exact amount and the boat is mine. A couple hundred more and a nearly new trailer is mine too.

So how's that for an offer? Anybody reconsidering yet? I know I am...
Al Gearing
Burleson, Texas

Boat Name: Torch of Freedom

Model/Year: C-22 '76

Hull No. 6448

Hailing Port: Arlington YC
07/14/2006 5:28 AM Pacific Time

I agree with those who say that fiber glass can be repaired and if you like the boat go for it. The boat I have has cost me a lot of time and some money but it is MINE, good bad or indifferent. I think that working on a boat is part of the enjoyment of ownership, just being a user, and not fixer of a boat or house, leaves a void in the pride of ownership. Once I quit working on cars, I buy and sell them without a thought, but not houses and boats, they are part of me.
For what it's worth,
Al Ge
R. C. Luiken
Milford, DE

Boat Name: Ricochet

Model/Year: C-22 Swing Keel/1986

Hull No. 13560

Hailing Port: Milford, DE/St. Michaels, MD
07/14/2006 5:57 AM Pacific Time

I would too.
Matthew Porter
Lake Hartwell, SC

Boat Name:

Model/Year: '77 C-22 Swing Keel

Hull No. 6723

Hailing Port: Big Water Marina
07/14/2006 9:04 PM Pacific Time

To start this off: Al, very well put. I think all of us can relate and thank you.

I talked to the "hull specialist" and he said it's no problem. I might need to order some new keel hanger bolts, etc. from CD but other than that, it's no big deal.

BUT, the boat is land locked for about a month until he can get to it. Anybody in the Upstate SC area that wants a good crew, feel free to let me know.

I think this boat is MINE.

Lynn Buchanan
Nevada City, CA

Boat Name: SAILYNN

Model/Year: SWING 1984

Hull No. 11994

Hailing Port: SCOTTS FLAT LAKE, CA
07/14/2006 10:49 PM Pacific Time

Good for you. It sounds like the seller is being honest and accomodating with you. I have experienced all kinds of fiberglass repair incidents and also believe the boat can be returned to full soundness. I know several people who have replaced their posts, bulkheads, keel hangers, keels, cockpit deck, etc. Trust your gut instincts and go for it!
Bob Keim
Nashville

Boat Name: Pursuit

Model/Year: C22/1976

Hull No.

Hailing Port: Nashville
07/15/2006 5:33 AM Pacific Time

have him open up the hull while it sits for a month, to let the water out! You really want to make sure water is not trapped inside the fiberglass when the repairs trap it in.

I have a boat just a few numbers away from yours and there was a lot of water between the mat and the structrual hull of mine because the mat was poorly saturated by resin when the boat was built.

The re-inforcement of the keel trunk will serve that boat well! :)
 
 
Hull / Keel / Rudder / Tiller
Catalina Direct Discussion Topics / Catalina 22 Discussion Area / Hull / Keel / Rudder / Tiller / Swing Keel Trunk Repair...if possible...