Keel cable connection

[Bryan Oesterreich]

I'm replacing the keel cable on my 1984 Mac 25 - and was wondering if the end of the cable, with the thimble, needs to move freely when connected to the bolt that goes through the keel. (removing the old bolt was as much fun as I could stand!)Thanks

 

[Doug Rodrigues]

It shouldn't bind.

If the cable loop isn't allowed to pivot about that keel bolt, one would assume that the cable strands would be bent every time the keel was lowered. Granted....it would take years and maybe a thousand cycles of bending at that point to break cable strands, but allowing any cable to be repeatedly bent is not quality workmanship.

 

[Bryan Oesterreich]

Graci

Thanks, Doug. I thought about it after I posted this and realized it would probably end up weakening the cable. I appreciate the advice.Bryan