Catalina 22 Turning Ball Replacement - Jim's Little Boat

[@eadams5037]

I like the 22 Catalina and sailed one owned by a friend for a while. His, was well rigged for single handing and it is a great lake / bay boat. I 'helped' him with a centerboard bolt that was left in place during an attempted retraction. The 'down lock' was bent at about 30 degrees, and it took a while to remove. Most of the maintenance on that boat is DYI for most sailors, that makes it a much more affordable sailing boat.

[@mathewdavis-adventuresandd6643]

Thanks Jim. While I have my keel removed for refinishing and painting, now would be an excellent time for me to check my turning ball.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Have a great summer. jim

[@UUBrahman]

Nice repair. I have a 1989 Capri Catalina 16 foot which has an enclosed cabin and wing keel drawing 2.5 feet. I avoided the swing keel because many sailors do not know how to properly repair the swing keel - so in this regard you video is very helpful. Ironically, it takes less water depth to launch a Catalina 22 swing keel off a trailer than a Capri Catalina 16 with the fixed keel - to the 2.5 feet one must add at least half the trailer tire height and a little margin resulting in needing about 40 inches of water to launch off a trailer. Thanks.

[@jimslittleboat4388]

40 inches--that is a pretty precise number. I always appreciate when someone pays attention to the details.

[@doublediamondsdunn7287]

With all the things that you replaced even though you might have not needed to, peace of mind is well worth the cost of those parts. I’m getting ready to launch as well. Happy sailing to you Jim, and of course Bootstrap as well.

[@UUBrahman]

@@jimslittleboat4388 Embarrassingly, I kept wondering why the boat wouldn't launch in 2.5 feet of water - I had forgotten to add depth for the trailer tires.

[@sawfish3206]

The keel eyebolt should be parallel to the trailing edge of the keel,so the swivel action functions without binding or bending the crimped cable end.I thought that would be your "secret worry" when you showed the close-up of it being a few degrees off.But that goes back to your original secret worry about messing with the thing at all :)

[@timequest9802]

Very Informative Video!!! You have a fantastic channel. Maintaining that swing keel and the components involved with it seems very labor intensive. I know there are a lot more advantages of having the swing keel. Just wondering if you had to do it again, would you go with a swing keel or the wing keel?

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Hmm--good question, Time Quest. There aren't many wing keels in the PNW. I think if there were two boats in the same condition, same sails...I would probably go with the wing. But once you get a setup to deal with the bottom and the keel, and given that Puget Sound is pretty shoaly-- I would probably go prefer my swing keel

[@timequest9802]

@@jimslittleboat4388 Thanks Jim. I have heard that the boats with the swing keel are faster, lighter, and easier to launch. As they say everything dealing with a boat is a compromise. Thanks again.

[@ud4458]

75!!!

[@leer6871]

I was hoping he’d show how to remove the ball from its position. That’s where I’m getting caught up

[@jimslittleboat4388]

Take a zip tie and put a 180 degree bend in it. Slip it in on one side and pull it up. Then the tie will be on both sides of the ball. Hold it while you push the axle out. Then just lift it out. OR. You can just remove the axle and let it fall to the ground.

[@SailingtheWestWind]

Where can I purchase a ball at, I can't fine one online?

[@mrzif0013]

necessary to lube the keel cable?

[@jimslittleboat4388]

I don't know if it is necessary, I put a little water proof grease on the bearing and the cable, but I don't think the instructions call for it, I can't remember.