Sorry truth in advertising, I am not only a poster here, I am also a poster there...

I don't own a Catalina 25, I own a Catalina Capri 25... hehehe (an not much longer either). Great bunch of folks many who have done the work you describe. Nothing wrong with sailnut, just trying to get you a more focused answer... someone there also might be able to give you a clue as to how hard it'd be to drop that keel and clean it up (or if they think its not necessary)... but is free to use the mindshare there.