Keel Replacement Possible?

[Kefaa]

I have an option to purchase a long keel Catalina (a little over 6'). Given the bay where I will be sailing, this is more likely to make me friends with a towing service than anything else.

So - given I leave it to professionals, can the keel be replaced? Or can it be cut down with a wing/bulb added? I can probably get the boat for about 20k less than asking and that puts it 30k below market - but the keel is the show stopper. Is this reasonable to be done or will it compromise the entire boat?

Thoughts?

[Vasco]

Mars metal cuts keels and puts bulbs on them all the time. Check them out.
http://www.marskeel.com/

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by Vasco

Mars metal cuts keels and puts bulbs on them all the time. Check them out.
MarsKeel - Technology

Specifically:

Draft Reductions ➥ MarsKeel - Technology

and ➥ http://www.marskeel.com/fckeditor/us...ng%20World.pdf

[Rhosyn Mor]

I presume you mean the Chespeake?
have been sailing there this summer with nigh on 7 foot draft, its not really an issue you just have to be careful. At least running aground on the bay is easy and simple ( anyone can do it )

[neilpride]

I think is posible, but if you cut the keel asuming is a fin lead keel bolted to the stub or hull, you loose some sail to windward perfomance and the boat heel more.
How heavy weight is the keel?? if you want to refit the keel with wings , the weight of the material removed need to be equal to the wings , i agree with Vasco , check marskeel .

[hellosailor]

Mars are the folks to ask about keel mods. While they can do anything--you might also want to compare notes on how that modified keel will affect pointing ability and balance. Or find out if any shoal draft catalinas were built, and how the factory made other changes to compensate for them. Often a shoal draft version will have a shorter mast and carry less sail as well.

Either way you need to look at the whole picture, not just the keel, if you want a good result.

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by neilpride

... but if you cut the keel asuming is a fin lead keel bolted to the stub or hull, you loose some sail to windward perfomance and the boat heel more...
... check marskeel .

Originally Posted by hellosailor

Mars are the folks to ask about keel mods. While they can do anything--you might also want to compare notes on how that modified keel will affect pointing ability and balance...
...Often a shoal draft version will have a shorter mast and carry less sail as well.

Done properly, as Mars will, you won’t shouldn't lose any sail-carrying ability (righting moment) in a keel draft reduction - bulb substitution.
You may lose some pointing ability, due to reduced projected keel area.