I need help Mac gregor 22 swinging keel problems

[alfred gamil]

Hi
I own a 1982 , 22 feet mac gregor and have some serious problems with my swinging kee
It hits alternatively the two sides of the center daggerboard case , I can feel and hear the knocking hard enough to be unpleasant and bad for the fiberglass
This happens when the boat is stopped ( dock or mooring) and swings sideways with a light wind . I would appreciate somebody's help

 

[Benny]

That is keel slap and if you have a centerboard it is a nuisance but if you have a ballasted keel it can be serious. Should you get into heavy seas the force of the water could use the keel to destroy the fiberglas base which holds the pivot shaft. Either a crack on the hull or the loss of the keel could prove catastrophic. Haul the boat out, drop the keel and repair any worn parts on the pivot point, keel and raising and lowering mechanism.

 

[alfred gamil]

swinging keel problems

Hi benny thanks for your reply
I dont have water ballasts, but 500 lbs of cast iron keel , we already took the boat out and checked the pivot bolt and hole , founf nothing abnormal , except loats of rust in pivot hole

That is keel slap and if you have a centerboard it is a nuisance but if you have a ballasted keel it can be serious. Should you get into heavy seas the force of the water could use the keel to destroy the fiberglas base which holds the pivot shaft. Either a crack on the hull or the loss of the keel could prove catastrophic. Haul the boat out, drop the keel and repair any worn parts on the pivot point, keel and raising and lowering mechanism.

 

[alfred gamil]

Hi benny thanks for your reply
I dont have water ballasts, but 500 lbs of cast iron keel , we already took the boat out and checked the pivot bolt and hole , founf nothing abnormal , except loats of rust in pivot hole

 

[LloydB]

I suspect that your swing keel pivot bearing looks like this: >I< inside the iron swing keel, instead of this: ]I[. The keel bolt may have been replaced with an undersized bolt by a previous owner so you should check that first before beginning a bearing repair.

 

[LordNelson]

i always raise my keel while on my mooring to prevent wear and tear. i also raise it running with the wind for the same reason and to reduce drag. while on a tack, the water pressure holds it from moving. i see no reason for keeping it down at the dock.

 

[Freedom77]

Had the same problem with my V222. Removed pivot bolt, Dropped the keep and put a round aluminum shim on each side. Shim should be radius from keel bolt to top of keel trunk. Also shim should not be so thick that it jams the keel in the down position. It's amazing how much pressure is put on the keel truck. This worked. Also if your pivot bolt is sloppy see if you can sleeve the hole in the keel with stainless steel tubing or a larger stainless bolt. Don't try to drill the cast iron. DO NOT raise your keel downwind. If you ever get gusted from the side you may find the top of your mast in the water. This is the voice of experience. Fair winds...