Catalina Smile Fix - Part 1 - Ep. 35 [Sailing Ixion]

Catalina 30 keel stub repair begins this week. After we ran our electric sailboat aground, we decided now was the time to permanently fix the Catalina smile.
Originally, Catalina yachts put a wood core in the keel stub up until the mid 80s. Due to the porous nature of the wood core, water would become trapped in it, and eventually led to a crack on the forward part of the keel, known as the Catalina smile. After realizing their mistake, they put out an official repair guide to permanently fix the smile, and didn't include the wood core in their newer models.
This week, we begin removing the nuts and plates around the keel bolts and get a feel for how much wood core there is, and begin removing it from underneath the bilge. It's never fun cutting a hole in your boat, but we move forward nonetheless. Enjoy part 1 of the keel stub repair. Part 2 will come several weeks from now.
Disclaimer: We are not a how-to boat refit channel. We are just documenting our journey, and it’s not always right! We make mistakes and mess up.
Don’t forget to subscribe! New Videos every week. Comment and let us know if you've ever had to cut into the bottom of your boat! It's a bit terrifying!
Perhaps one day we too will have the same refit acclaim as Sailing Uma! lol
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[@SailingIxion]

Have any of you ever attempted to repair the Catalina smile permanently?

[@user-qn1qe8hc5m]

you guys are doing a great job

[@nunsandcanssailingadventur9951]

Omg. You guys! @13:14 etc. I am laughing hysterically!

[@giderama]

Wow! I’m trying to learn since my C30 has water in the keel

[@awk583]

Did this on my Catalina 27. Angle grinder and Forstner bit. It is a rough job. I have a 1979 Catalina 30 as well, it has been fun watching you guys. Have you modernized the throughhulls yet? Another fun task but important. Also the chainplates. While you are in the bilge check the block under the compression post. You probably all ready know all of this but it deserves mentioning. Good luck, I look forward to seeing more.

[@SailingIxion]

Thanks for watching! We haven’t modernized the throughhulls yet, but it’s absolutely on the list before we launch. I’ve only pulled one chainplate so far and it looked like it was pretty clean.
My last task before I start to sand and glass is opening up the compression block area. The fiberglass that covers it was delaminated but finding it a little hard to tell if it has shifted. Seems pretty solid.

[@clearwatertyranthunter5633]

How long did it take you to fix the Catalina smile and how much did it cost?

[@jaymiami5813]

I'm looking for a Catalina 30 they recommend me to look for a 1990 and up to avoid the Catalina smell can you give me any advice

[@SailingIxion]

You can probably find as old as 88 that doesn’t have the wood core issue that causes the Catalina smile. But if you’re looking, find a tall rig, they perform better especially in light winds and be sure to get a survey. Don’t be fooled by a pretty paint job on the motor, bilge, or boat always get a survey.

[@jaymiami5813]

@@SailingIxion hey buddy thank you thanks for your advice

[@prqrsqtful]

Hey. So you said you reached bottom in the wood removal in the bilge. I was waiting to see what was there. Was it the steel of the keel or what? Also what are your plans for replacement material? More wood? I mean it did last 40 years. Or something like cement. That would be easy to pour in and it would self level. Anyway, thanks for sharing and strong work! 💪 See you next week.

[@SailingIxion]

Hi. Thanks for watching! We’ll be covering all of that in the next installment where we finish the project. It’s been a process of discovery.

[@kenc2707]

Nice episode guys. Now, am I the only one wondering what’s holding the keel onto the bottom of the hull after you removed those bolts and plates? What exactly are those bolts doing?

[@SailingIxion]

Right now, 70% of the weight of the hull is resting on the keel so it’s not going anywhere. Ordinarily the bolts would keep the keel fastened while afloat.

[@kenc2707]

@@SailingIxion so the keel is resting on the ground or blocked.

[@SailingIxion]

Yes exactly. Catalina Yachts devised this repair plan so that the keel doesn’t have to be removed.

[@cometjockeydave4041]

I keep hearing that the Catalina smile is more or less cosmetic, but seeing this video makes me nervous about my own Catalina 30.

[@SailingIxion]

I wouldn’t necessarily call it cosmetic but it’s also not an URGENT repair. Left untreated you could suffer from crevice corrosion on the keel bolts. Since we grounded and the smile opened up we decided to fix it for good. If your worried, drill a pilot hole to check on the condition of the core. It’s my opinion to fix structural flaws. There’s enough to be anxious about while sailing don’t let the structural stability be one of them.