Any thoughts on how best to swing out centerboard in the dry on a large trailer sailor (Macgregor 26x)? I would also like to be able to bottom coat the swing keel, and replace the lifting cable &line. I would like to do it myself rather than have to use a boatyard lift. Thank you for your reply!
Centerboard maintenance
- Thread starter Sailnski51
- Start date
the way that I did my o'day 20 and soon to do my helms 25 is to use boat stands. it takes awhile to jack the boat off the trailer without a crane, but it can be done. I will also be cleaning the bottom and adding bottom paint and checking the swing keel. there is a video on you tube that I used to get the info but I cannot seem to find it now. the o'day was not as heavy as the helms is, so I will just have to take some extra time once the boat is on the hard.
My clipper has a small access on the top of the keel recess housing where the cable goes over the pulley to the keel hole and then comes back just enough for the cable clamps to secure.
I was able to raise the keel high enough on the trailer and block it and remove the pulley for room and used the old cable to fish the new through and be able to reach through the small access to re-install and tighten the clamps.
As well I have built stands and jacked of the trailer in previous years to remove keel and paint and install new bolts..
I was able to raise the keel high enough on the trailer and block it and remove the pulley for room and used the old cable to fish the new through and be able to reach through the small access to re-install and tighten the clamps.
As well I have built stands and jacked of the trailer in previous years to remove keel and paint and install new bolts..
Isn't the 26x a fiberglass keel and pretty light?
My Cat 22 is 500 lbs more or less and here's what I do
put a jack under the stern end of the keep. Release the winch. Block up the stern and jack it up
I have a little frame to keep the keel from falling over . Lower the jack and let the keel come down. Detach the cable from the keel. Raise the stern enough to drop the front end of the keel and slide it forward after you take the pin out. Should be easy on the Mac. Catalina you have to be careful not to drop it on yourself and just use a couple of jacks. On the Mac one person should be able to handle it just fine.
reverse the procedure to reinstall. just thread the new cable up into the trunk and to the winch from below. No big deal
ssamac
My Cat 22 is 500 lbs more or less and here's what I do
put a jack under the stern end of the keep. Release the winch. Block up the stern and jack it up
I have a little frame to keep the keel from falling over . Lower the jack and let the keel come down. Detach the cable from the keel. Raise the stern enough to drop the front end of the keel and slide it forward after you take the pin out. Should be easy on the Mac. Catalina you have to be careful not to drop it on yourself and just use a couple of jacks. On the Mac one person should be able to handle it just fine.
reverse the procedure to reinstall. just thread the new cable up into the trunk and to the winch from below. No big deal
ssamac
If you are a novice, best advice is to let a yard do the work. Just to save a few bucks or your life????
As for the hull of the MacGregor vs. Catalina, the hull is thicker on the Catalina 22: thus the stress on the hull is more as it is not as thick. Make sure if following any advice to jack up, if the area of the hull really starts to push in a lot, back off. Thump or rap the hull to see where the glass is the thickest. I am a retired Hunter, Catalina and former MacGregor dealer.
crazy dave condon
As for the hull of the MacGregor vs. Catalina, the hull is thicker on the Catalina 22: thus the stress on the hull is more as it is not as thick. Make sure if following any advice to jack up, if the area of the hull really starts to push in a lot, back off. Thump or rap the hull to see where the glass is the thickest. I am a retired Hunter, Catalina and former MacGregor dealer.
crazy dave condon
Dave makes a terrific point which I totally agree and probably should have mentioned. Any popping, creaking, cracking sounds stop and back off. Jack very slowly and keep stopping, check the brace points to be sure the hull is not flexing or getting dimpled under the jacks or braces. Always use 2 jacks to spread the load evenly as you lift.
Macgregors are notoriously "light". They are known to "oilcan" in a good chop. (So do WW Potters unless you get the heavier hull option). So it will tell you right away if it does not like what you're doing.
common sense goes a long way.
I've removed a lot of heavy keels this way. Guys in the fleet would help each other do this stuff, including a Chrysler 22 which has about 750 lbs of cast iron in a long dogleg shaped swing keel. That's a heavily built boat and a great sailer. We never had an issue doing it. Having help is probably a good idea especially first time. Having help who did it before is even a better idea.
Good luck
ssamac
Macgregors are notoriously "light". They are known to "oilcan" in a good chop. (So do WW Potters unless you get the heavier hull option). So it will tell you right away if it does not like what you're doing.
common sense goes a long way.
I've removed a lot of heavy keels this way. Guys in the fleet would help each other do this stuff, including a Chrysler 22 which has about 750 lbs of cast iron in a long dogleg shaped swing keel. That's a heavily built boat and a great sailer. We never had an issue doing it. Having help is probably a good idea especially first time. Having help who did it before is even a better idea.
Good luck
ssamac
I hate to steer you to another web site since I like this one better.. however for better info.. I think what you want to do is fairly simple (nice thing about the boat you have). Read some of these links from a simple search http://macgregorsailors.com/forum/search.php?keywords=26x+centerboard+removal&fid[0]=8
I've done this on 4 different boats including a H260 and C22. The easiest way I've found is to jack up the entire trailer, support the boat hull with a beam made out of 3 2x8 boards screwed together to make a beam. One at each side of the C/B under bulkheads if possible. Use woodem wedges atop the beam to keep the hull from rolling. Support the beams on cinder blocks and remove the trailer or even lower the centerboard onto the trailer and then remove the trailer.