BurnitBlue
Well-Known Member
During my research into keel bolts, I came across quite a few references to a thing called the Catalena Smile. Apparantly this is a gap at the front of the keel/hull joint which can be as much as a centimetre with the rest of the keel flush with the hull with no problem. There is no explanation to account for this gap that makes any sense. A collision can sometimes cause this but it would leave evidence of movement at the back of the keel also. The Smile is just the gap.
Google "catalena smile" which will give a few hits to demonstrate why I am puzzled by this. It is mostly Catalena and C&C boats in USA but other boats have it also.
I have had a good look round the hauled boats in Actio and quite a few boats have it. I Have a theory that leaving the mast up and under tension for years at a time, causes the boats to bend like a banana and pull away at the first keel bolt which is usually a singleton.
I mentioned it to folk and they said there was no way the rigging tension can bend a boat fore and aft. Despite the denials, I am not so sure.
What do you think?
Google "catalena smile" which will give a few hits to demonstrate why I am puzzled by this. It is mostly Catalena and C&C boats in USA but other boats have it also.
I have had a good look round the hauled boats in Actio and quite a few boats have it. I Have a theory that leaving the mast up and under tension for years at a time, causes the boats to bend like a banana and pull away at the first keel bolt which is usually a singleton.
I mentioned it to folk and they said there was no way the rigging tension can bend a boat fore and aft. Despite the denials, I am not so sure.
What do you think?