Keel Locking Bolt

[Bob]

I just bought a Macgregor 22 and noticed that I am unable to remove the keel locking bolt. It appears to be bent and the rubber washer is just hanging there. Is it safe to use the boat without it, or should I get it repaired. The previous owner said he never used the lock????

 

[Jeff Smith]

Leave it alone

I've owned a Mac 25' for a year now.I had the same questions. Although myKeel bolt wasn't stuck. From the info I have gathered, I havn'tfound anyone who locks the Keel down. If the Keel is locked down and you hitsomething, it could rip the bottom of the boat apart. The problem with not locking it down, is if you get knocked over, it could fold back into the boat, and cause you to go " turtle ", or stay down for sometime ( depending on how you have your loose stuff in the cabin ". At first I was real concerned with thissince I sail with four childern. But since gaining more experience, I've relized, " Stay out of those type situations ". I've sailed on lake Erie several times. You can push the limits, or be safe.

 

[Bob]

Thanks

Thanks for the advice Jeff. I hope to get the boat in the water early next week.

 

[Bob]

When your leel is all the way down it rides on the bolt. This could have damaged the bolt or hole over time. If there's space for leakage, the keel will slop a lot of water in there. I would try to hammer the bolt out and repair the fiberglas. I had to do so when my winch failed and allowed the keel to smash down and bend the bolt, elongating the hole into a slot. I made two aluminum plates large enough to overlap the area and a 3/8 inch thick aluminum plug the shape of the slot, pop-riveted to it, then drilled it for the straightened bolt and epoxied/screwed it into place on each side. I don't lock the keel down as I sail conservatively and in shallow water.