I have a Mac 25 and am not sure how to set the keel. Last wkend I was sailing on a beam reach in about 15 MPH winds with the keel all the way down. My hull speed was about 7 knots. It sounnded like I had a bee hive down bellow and a vbration as well. Is this normal or does the keel need to be reeled in a few cranks when it is down ? When I head into a large chop as the hull lands the keel made a "thud" is that normal. When the boat is in the slip do I need to crank in the keel or is it ok to leave down. One more question, the tiller flys freely, wile underway it seems to seet at 90 degrees or so. Do I need to secure it when it is completely down? Whatis the correct position. I asume straight down. Thanks Bill
keel setting
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All of the swing keel Macs hum.
Just think of it as a speedometer, the higher the pitch, the faster you're going. I don't understand your tiller question. What do ya mean when it's down? You should tie off the tiller when docked.
Just think of it as a speedometer, the higher the pitch, the faster you're going. I don't understand your tiller question. What do ya mean when it's down? You should tie off the tiller when docked.
If you are in choppy seas or 2' or more swell
the keel should be locked down. There is a 5/16 keel bolt with rubber washers a fender washer and wing nut that helps lock it down. I put the bolt in from hole in the side of the seat and reach the wing nut through the battery hatch under the cushion. This will not only stop the banging but prevent the water from coming in. I generally let it all of the way down then crank it back up 8 cranks to locate the bolt hole. Once it it locked down you can slacken the cable three or four cranks to get rid of the hum. There is an Pdf version of the manual in Boat Information section of this site. See pg 4. http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?post=1116 Frank
the keel should be locked down. There is a 5/16 keel bolt with rubber washers a fender washer and wing nut that helps lock it down. I put the bolt in from hole in the side of the seat and reach the wing nut through the battery hatch under the cushion. This will not only stop the banging but prevent the water from coming in. I generally let it all of the way down then crank it back up 8 cranks to locate the bolt hole. Once it it locked down you can slacken the cable three or four cranks to get rid of the hum. There is an Pdf version of the manual in Boat Information section of this site. See pg 4. http://kb.sailboatowners.com/brand?post=1116 Frank
What a great question and answers I have similar experiences. About the water leak how can you avoid it with the keel up,? I get a half inch or so at the deepest part under the bolt location even when docked and more - up to 5-6 inches -after sailing with a heavy load ( six people ) About the tiller question, if the lockbolt is not in place the rudder floats up to about horizontal and can hit the propeller on the outboard and the tiller pressure is hard. I pull the lockpin on the upper hinge if I need the rudder to swing up and lift it all -getting the lockbolt out is too hard to do underway. The hinge holes are worn and allows vibration under power on my boat any ideas ?
Keel lock-down would be necessary....
Keel lock-down would be necessary (as stated earlier) in large swells or choppy seas but not if you might experience shallow water, as damage could result in grounding hard with the keel locked. If your slip has lots of depth and in never likely to get too low at low tide, you could possibly leave it locked in it's berth(I can't say for sure about the 'slapping' sound, though my old O'day type centerboard used to do it all the time). By 90 degrees on the rudder do you mean it will point straight down under sail or float up nearly parrallel to the water line? if it does the latter, you need a downhaul that you can control from the cockpit to bring it down into the water or you'll experience some strong 'weather helm' and on a lively day of sailing could damage the rudder assembly as well as making it un-fun to sail...
Keel lock-down would be necessary (as stated earlier) in large swells or choppy seas but not if you might experience shallow water, as damage could result in grounding hard with the keel locked. If your slip has lots of depth and in never likely to get too low at low tide, you could possibly leave it locked in it's berth(I can't say for sure about the 'slapping' sound, though my old O'day type centerboard used to do it all the time). By 90 degrees on the rudder do you mean it will point straight down under sail or float up nearly parrallel to the water line? if it does the latter, you need a downhaul that you can control from the cockpit to bring it down into the water or you'll experience some strong 'weather helm' and on a lively day of sailing could damage the rudder assembly as well as making it un-fun to sail...
I would imagine that sticking a cork or rubber
stopper in the hole would keep it from leaking without he bolt. The most common mod is to use a 1/4" line to hold the rudder in the down position. The same line is use to keep the rudder up as well. Some use a clam-cleat that cams under pressure so that it released it anything is hit. Google clamcleat cl257. Take a look around your marina and you will see exactly how it is set up. Another popular mod is to use a plastic bolt through the rudder lock down hole. Bolts used can be found in hardware stores as toilet hold-down bolts. They are suppose to shear when needed. Frank
stopper in the hole would keep it from leaking without he bolt. The most common mod is to use a 1/4" line to hold the rudder in the down position. The same line is use to keep the rudder up as well. Some use a clam-cleat that cams under pressure so that it released it anything is hit. Google clamcleat cl257. Take a look around your marina and you will see exactly how it is set up. Another popular mod is to use a plastic bolt through the rudder lock down hole. Bolts used can be found in hardware stores as toilet hold-down bolts. They are suppose to shear when needed. Frank
SWING KEELS
Many years ago, my first boat was a swing keel Chrysler 22. I always kind of enjoyed the cable hum, and used it to judge how well I was sailing the boat. Also found that for whatever reason, the hum seemed to attract dolphins. A WIN WIN situation for me
Many years ago, my first boat was a swing keel Chrysler 22. I always kind of enjoyed the cable hum, and used it to judge how well I was sailing the boat. Also found that for whatever reason, the hum seemed to attract dolphins. A WIN WIN situation for me
Are you talking about a folding rudder.
Yes the rudder needs to be all the way down for proper steering and reduced effort at the tiller. A small line tied to the leading edge can help pull it down and the line can be cleated at the stern.
Yes the rudder needs to be all the way down for proper steering and reduced effort at the tiller. A small line tied to the leading edge can help pull it down and the line can be cleated at the stern.
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