Floating Keel??

[Chris Bylhouwer]

How does the keel on a 19'stay in place??There's only 1 rope to raise the keel, and you rely on the keel weight for it to lower. Am I missing something or is this the design??Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Carlos]

Floating centerboard

Chris,the centerboard has a pivot hole with a bolt that I guess is accesible from the inside of the water ballast tanks. The steel cable turns on a guide and pulley mounted on another bolt, and ends up in a metal piece on top of the centerboard. In this area that's not easily visible the cable is tressed and should be checked regularly. Also check that the plastic tube where the cable runs inside the hull is intact with the cap on top. Otherwiase when you heel you can get water inside.There is a new illustration of this and good tips and mods on the following website: www.macgregor19.8m.com

 

[Randy Zerbe]

Gravity keeps centerboard down

In response to your question about what keeps the Mac 19's centreboard down it is simply gravity. The board swings down nearly vertically and although it is not metal its weight keeps it down. I have had some brief problems with it sticking in the up position. Spraying oil into pivot area from below solve that problem. Never power boat at speed with board down as that causes "bad" things to happen.