I'd see if there's a keel. Mast up, it'll be too tippy without one, IMO. Run a weighted line under the boat to feel for a 6-7 foot long thing underneath, or look into that locking bolt hole?
Keel trouble 84 macgregor 25
- Thread starter Starwind
- Start date
@caguy that seems to just be the winch?
@justsomeguy- a weighted line is a solid idea. I'll try that n check back in
@justsomeguy- a weighted line is a solid idea. I'll try that n check back in
you mean keel WINCH.... as has been said, keels are no longer available. unless you can locate a used one from a parts boat, but this is a rare thing.
Did I miss the part where the actual keel is really missing or are we speculating at this point?
Seems to me a quick dive under or running in shallow water would answer that real quick.
If it is missing that's bad but really a local steel shop can make a blade out of cast iron. It won't have the perfect foil shape but I am sure someone could draw the shape with measurements for length, width and depth and hole locations.
Seems to me a quick dive under or running in shallow water would answer that real quick.
If it is missing that's bad but really a local steel shop can make a blade out of cast iron. It won't have the perfect foil shape but I am sure someone could draw the shape with measurements for length, width and depth and hole locations.
At this time in uncertain if there's a keel or not. I'm at the dmv then heading to the dock to run a rope under it
My 25 is tippier with the keel up but still stable. It would be like a cork with out it. Sounds like yours is gone.
I replaced my winch a few years ago with one from Northern tool. I got the 1200# model. Cable is about 11'-6" long. The winch has to come out by the battery holder on mine. There are different set ups for different years. The trunk is really tight. I don't see how a local shop could cast a new one. They may be able to make one by welding stock together or by using a thick piece of stock and welding bottom plates on it. Once made get the whole thing galv. dipped.
I replaced my winch a few years ago with one from Northern tool. I got the 1200# model. Cable is about 11'-6" long. The winch has to come out by the battery holder on mine. There are different set ups for different years. The trunk is really tight. I don't see how a local shop could cast a new one. They may be able to make one by welding stock together or by using a thick piece of stock and welding bottom plates on it. Once made get the whole thing galv. dipped.
Some things seem to be coming together. Thanks to u guys for the winch link and a member privately messaging me offering the keel off his old Mac. My question now for you guys, if I don't currently have a keel will I make it 7 miles up the coast to the new slip just running my outboard?
If you dont encounter any moderate wind you should be fine running on the motor without a keel under it....
Hopefully you will fine the keel intact, but its a very nice feeling knowing someone has one available if you should need it.
Ran a line under the boat. Good news. I have a keel and it is stuck down. So I guess ill just need the control if I want to get through shallow water or get it up on a trailer
I kind of thought it was there. I'm glad for you.
My guess is that the keel cable broke at some point and the owner decided to just stick to deep water and call it good. With that in mind - why not get rid of the now useless winch too??
It doesn't have a winch. The previous owner must of taken it off. I don't plan on taking it out of the pacific but the new slip I'm renting I was told could get shallow sometimes. So I may still have to get the winch
Make sure the stainless steel tube, in the top of the trunk, where the keel cable would go through, has a foot long or so hose attached to it or is plugged shut. if not you will get water inside the boat.
Attachments
Yes and make sure you double clamp that hose at the base, with the clamps opposite. I had big trouble when a yard launched it without that tube on. Water does come up it, so feed the line thru the plug (make by hand from HDPE) and feed it thru first, then thru the base, then thru the hull. Use 316 a stainless bolt on the keel and a316 clamp. You do NOT want this releasing...EVER.
BTW, I've got family duty this weekend. PM me your phone so we can coordinate on the lift.
Jeff
I wouldn't worry to much about not having a keel during transit. As a newbie myself, I have tacked with My 1884 Mac25 (in low winds) before I realized I hadn't lowered the keel. Actually if you are running with the wind raising the keel will decrease drag and increase your speed.
If you do have a keel you will be able to hear it rock from port to starboard, in either up or down position. A 750 pound keel is hard not to notice. In clear water you can see it under your boat (from a distance). Without a keel the boat will rock quite a bit making sleeping on the boat interesting.
Now for a bigger question if you have a keel in the down position how will Starwind get it on a trailer to replace the winch cable and clean the hull? After removing the 3/8 lock bolt can you pull it on a trailer dragging the keel to the up position? I guess he could hire a diver or dive on it himself to replace the keel cable. Someone must have a war story about a dreaded cable breaking and having to repair it! Don't worry it is being stuck, it is not, unless someone actually pounded a wedge underneath the boat.
Starwind you really have to Google MacGregor keel, winch, rigging etc. To see what you are missing.
If you do have a keel you will be able to hear it rock from port to starboard, in either up or down position. A 750 pound keel is hard not to notice. In clear water you can see it under your boat (from a distance). Without a keel the boat will rock quite a bit making sleeping on the boat interesting.
Now for a bigger question if you have a keel in the down position how will Starwind get it on a trailer to replace the winch cable and clean the hull? After removing the 3/8 lock bolt can you pull it on a trailer dragging the keel to the up position? I guess he could hire a diver or dive on it himself to replace the keel cable. Someone must have a war story about a dreaded cable breaking and having to repair it! Don't worry it is being stuck, it is not, unless someone actually pounded a wedge underneath the boat.
Starwind you really have to Google MacGregor keel, winch, rigging etc. To see what you are missing.
Big difference in not having a keel. Even the keel is up its still weighted. I'm not sure I would transport it over water without it. He did say it was there though.
You know this week I did an overnighter and my 26s with the lightweight keel was banging around keeping me up. I finally raised it to get some sleep. I didn't think it would be that noisy. On my old clipper I remember the keel banging while in some rough water but it was cast iron. Ultimately it broke the keel pocket.
You know this week I did an overnighter and my 26s with the lightweight keel was banging around keeping me up. I finally raised it to get some sleep. I didn't think it would be that noisy. On my old clipper I remember the keel banging while in some rough water but it was cast iron. Ultimately it broke the keel pocket.
Attaching cable
The keel cable on my Venture 25 broke. I followed some advice that I read on this site. I partially pulled the onto the trailer and then pulled the trailer up the ramp until the keel was exposed. I was able to hook up a new cable and then relaunched the boat. Make sure that your locking bolt is out.
I saw that you mentioned that the keel was frozen. Not sure what that means but if it has swelled so it no longer fits in the trunk, the above method probably won't work. The best thing to do at that point is to use the lift....
If you have a stuck keel, not sure that having a winch or cable connected to it buys you much.
The keel cable on my Venture 25 broke. I followed some advice that I read on this site. I partially pulled the onto the trailer and then pulled the trailer up the ramp until the keel was exposed. I was able to hook up a new cable and then relaunched the boat. Make sure that your locking bolt is out.
I saw that you mentioned that the keel was frozen. Not sure what that means but if it has swelled so it no longer fits in the trunk, the above method probably won't work. The best thing to do at that point is to use the lift....
If you have a stuck keel, not sure that having a winch or cable connected to it buys you much.