Macgregor 25 - Keel Mods

[Wayne]

Considering buying a M25 but find that the boat has some short-commings.1. The draft is really not very good for beaching, etc. From looking at the plans and photos it seems possible to delete the skeg and modify the keel box to take the centreboard completely up into the hull. Has anyone ever done this?2. 625lbs (284kgs) is very little ballast for a boat of this size. I would probably add a couple of hundred pounds soemwhere along the centreline. Does anyone know where approximately is the centre of effort (particuarly in pitch) in the hull with the normal sail plan of main & genoa?If anyone could help it would be greatly appreciated.Wayne

 

[John Dawson]

What skeg?

I should say I sail a V-222, the little brother to the 25 and have not sailed a 25. From what I know, however, I would say there is no skeg and the boat beaches fine since the bow will ground about the same time the barely protruding keel starts to dig a channel on a shallow slope, as mine does. I've seen plenty of pictures of beached Macs and no complaints. What little keel is exposed gives you a tad of steerage, and protects the rather flat belly of the hull.As for the keel, remember that the weight is pretty far down when the long keel is extended; draft is a healthy 5'8". While the boat heels initially and could be stiffer, that weight kicks in as the keel moves off vertical. Most people enjoy its performance as designed - a cross between a lively centerboarder and a reassuring keelboat.I would suggest trying one before you redesign it. Not many boats will be as versatile as a Mac. You may also find adding six inches or so to the keel trunk will make the interior quite different.I'm sure some owners will weigh in here so I will defer to their experience where different.

 

[Steve Zweigart]

Sure you got the right boat?

I own a 1984 Mac25, Kon-Tiki. She has no skeg, and her keel weighs in at somewhere around 685 lbs. The entire boat with trailer weighs about what you cite as the weight of the ballast. I've found that the boat beaches beautifully with the keel retracted. Often in light wind, I sail her with the keel retracted to get a bit more heel "just for fun." Extended, the keel is highly effective in stout wind under full sail. I've been unfortunate enough to be caught in a storm single-handed, but Kon-Tiki proved herself to be most worthy of handling the situation.

 

[MrBill]

26D fully retracts

I think when looking at a mac25 on trl (or 26C) the centerboard doesnt fully retract, into the hull.I think it extends about 12" from bottom of hull. (laying towards stearn)This should not be an issue if boat is driven bow first to beach. However, it may be an issue if boat becomes fully DRY, and is resting on 'skeg' of centerboard. (sanding bottom at low tide ?)I agree with other poster, try it first, should not be a problem.if fully grounding boat is desirable, look at the 26 D (daggerboard) 1987-1998* I beleive)the daggerboard retracts fully into hull... but if you hit w/ daggerboard down... something has to givethe 26 is a little more $$ than the 25, and has waterbalast. I think all mac's are stearn heavy (weather helm)... if you add wt, I would think it should be before mast below waterline.best of luck.