Can someone tell me where to purchase a lock pin for my swing keel? The pin is 3-7/8 inches long and 3/8 inches in diameter. It needs to be stainless steel. It would be best to have a quick release button on the end of the pin so it could be removed if keel hits bottom.
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Bolt
MacGregor uses a stainless bolt with some rubber washers to keep out the slosh. I use a wing nut on mine to make it easier to remove.
MacGregor uses a stainless bolt with some rubber washers to keep out the slosh. I use a wing nut on mine to make it easier to remove.
Grounding
I strongly suspect that if you are grounded, you would not be able to pull out the pin. I would recommend that when you are in danger of grounding, remove the pin or lock bolt. I never lock the keel on my 23. I sail with the keel resting against the lock bolt. Also, even though the pin is above the water line, water will slosh up into that area. It needs a good seal as vwjon says.
I strongly suspect that if you are grounded, you would not be able to pull out the pin. I would recommend that when you are in danger of grounding, remove the pin or lock bolt. I never lock the keel on my 23. I sail with the keel resting against the lock bolt. Also, even though the pin is above the water line, water will slosh up into that area. It needs a good seal as vwjon says.
response to Chris
Chris: I am not talking about the pivot pin. There is a hole drilled thru the keel that aligns with a hole in the keel trunk in the cabin. When you insert a pin thru this hole, it keeps the keel locked in a down position in the event the boat is knocked over. If the pin is not in place and a knock down takes place, the keel may slide up into the keel trunk and split it. Worse yet, with the keel retracted, the boat will turtle (upside down) instead of righting itself. Obviously, we lock the keel down only in big wind conditions with good size waves that could knock the boat down when severely healed in a big wind gust. In a gust the boat will heal, then start to "round up" into the wind if the main or jib sheet is not relaxed. At that point, a wave hitting the windward side of the boat can knock the boat over.
Chris: I am not talking about the pivot pin. There is a hole drilled thru the keel that aligns with a hole in the keel trunk in the cabin. When you insert a pin thru this hole, it keeps the keel locked in a down position in the event the boat is knocked over. If the pin is not in place and a knock down takes place, the keel may slide up into the keel trunk and split it. Worse yet, with the keel retracted, the boat will turtle (upside down) instead of righting itself. Obviously, we lock the keel down only in big wind conditions with good size waves that could knock the boat down when severely healed in a big wind gust. In a gust the boat will heal, then start to "round up" into the wind if the main or jib sheet is not relaxed. At that point, a wave hitting the windward side of the boat can knock the boat over.
You don't want it to break
It is designed to keep the keel down in case of a knock down. If you have a pin that breaks, the keel could ride back up into the trunk and cause a great deal of damage, and it will not allow you to pop back up after a knock down. Any Mac dealer should have them, and they are not expensive. My whole set was $6.00 or around there. It will come with a fender washer, and a rubber washer to keep water from entering the cabin when you are sailing in rough water. Let me know if you have any other questions, I have a 79 Mac 25, and I have a great deal of time logged in and on it.
It is designed to keep the keel down in case of a knock down. If you have a pin that breaks, the keel could ride back up into the trunk and cause a great deal of damage, and it will not allow you to pop back up after a knock down. Any Mac dealer should have them, and they are not expensive. My whole set was $6.00 or around there. It will come with a fender washer, and a rubber washer to keep water from entering the cabin when you are sailing in rough water. Let me know if you have any other questions, I have a 79 Mac 25, and I have a great deal of time logged in and on it.
Greg and other with experience: connection
Greg and others: I would very much like to correspond with you about various sailing conditions. We have sailed only in Ky lakes to this point but will headed to Great Lakes this summer (my boat came from the GLs but was deamed to small for continuous sailing on GLs by previous owner). We've been trying to sail in worst conditions we can (so far 22 mph gusting to 31+) this winter and spring to see what the boat will do (we've had water roll into the cockpit on a roundup several weeks ago). Attached is picture of Oro with flasher sail up. Just last weekend we figured out that we can turn it into a spinnaker with great performance. My email is dinger@uky.edu
Greg and others: I would very much like to correspond with you about various sailing conditions. We have sailed only in Ky lakes to this point but will headed to Great Lakes this summer (my boat came from the GLs but was deamed to small for continuous sailing on GLs by previous owner). We've been trying to sail in worst conditions we can (so far 22 mph gusting to 31+) this winter and spring to see what the boat will do (we've had water roll into the cockpit on a roundup several weeks ago). Attached is picture of Oro with flasher sail up. Just last weekend we figured out that we can turn it into a spinnaker with great performance. My email is dinger@uky.edu
No attachement
There was no picture. Would like to see it. I am willing to offer anything I can just let me know.
There was no picture. Would like to see it. I am willing to offer anything I can just let me know.
greg
Greg: yes, the system would not take the picture. Send me your email address and I'll forward the picture. jsd
Greg: yes, the system would not take the picture. Send me your email address and I'll forward the picture. jsd
I found the locking pin
To close this discussion off for archival purposes, I found the pin (with bushings, etc) in stock at Blue Water Yatch: Seattle, Wash 800-688-8626 x 2 They seem to have a lot of Mac 25 parts and were knowledgable about what parts were need to replace what was missing or broken Thanks to all who corresponded. Fair winds
To close this discussion off for archival purposes, I found the pin (with bushings, etc) in stock at Blue Water Yatch: Seattle, Wash 800-688-8626 x 2 They seem to have a lot of Mac 25 parts and were knowledgable about what parts were need to replace what was missing or broken Thanks to all who corresponded. Fair winds
think i found it
ok, reading this thread i was convienced that my mac had a pin, i just needed to find it. when i went sailing with the former owner prior to buying it a locking pin was never mentioned. anyway, i fould a pin about 8 inches above and slightly forward of the pivot pin. is this the lock pin?? it looks like this one has never been removed as the bolt is bent and the rubber gaskets are cracked with age. i will get a new one but this brings me two a new question. it appears that this one is bent because it was stoping the keel from dropping all the way down or forward when sailing. is there any need for a pin of some sort to keep the keel from doing any dammage if say the cable breaks and it drops quickly? chris
ok, reading this thread i was convienced that my mac had a pin, i just needed to find it. when i went sailing with the former owner prior to buying it a locking pin was never mentioned. anyway, i fould a pin about 8 inches above and slightly forward of the pivot pin. is this the lock pin?? it looks like this one has never been removed as the bolt is bent and the rubber gaskets are cracked with age. i will get a new one but this brings me two a new question. it appears that this one is bent because it was stoping the keel from dropping all the way down or forward when sailing. is there any need for a pin of some sort to keep the keel from doing any dammage if say the cable breaks and it drops quickly? chris
answer
i think i have answered my own question, if sailing the keel would be down with the bolt locking it in place, and if the keel was up, the lock pin would still be in place in the housing and thus be a "stopper" if the cable broke. chris
i think i have answered my own question, if sailing the keel would be down with the bolt locking it in place, and if the keel was up, the lock pin would still be in place in the housing and thus be a "stopper" if the cable broke. chris
Bolt
I have a bolt and some washers that came with my 25. I have never used it. I sail the great lakes and I like being able to crank the keel up to get into shallow water or close to the beach. As far as a knock down I have tried to do it purposely to test the limits of the boat, we got it to 45 degrees but it was really hard to do. I feel very safe on it and it is fun to sail. You have to do whatever makes you feel safe so if locking the keel into place is not a problem then I would do it but it is a pain to put in and take out if you are trailering the boat a lot. Have fun and keep the heavy side down
I have a bolt and some washers that came with my 25. I have never used it. I sail the great lakes and I like being able to crank the keel up to get into shallow water or close to the beach. As far as a knock down I have tried to do it purposely to test the limits of the boat, we got it to 45 degrees but it was really hard to do. I feel very safe on it and it is fun to sail. You have to do whatever makes you feel safe so if locking the keel into place is not a problem then I would do it but it is a pain to put in and take out if you are trailering the boat a lot. Have fun and keep the heavy side down
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