I have the opportunity to purchase a Macgregor 25' (1987). However, the retractable keel fell off due to wear and tear. Is this part sold by Macgregor? How much does it cost to replace and install? Any informaion is greatly appreciated as it will influence the decision to move foward with the deal.
- Status
Fell off??
Must have made for an interesting moment when it fell. I don't know if you will have much luck with Macgregor. The 25 is an older boat and I don't think that they stocked the keel as a spare. That being said, you could probably have one made out of plate steel for a reasonble cost. As far as installing, you will need a new bolt and washers, as well as a new cable and associated hardware. Was anything damaged when the keel parted company? I imagine the cable gave way from the sudden load, but what about the shock to the winch mounting and where the cable exits the hull? I'd check those areas as well. None of this is insumountable if the price is right. A couple of things to keep in mind for the keel. One- the stock one weighs 625#, for a reason, to keep the boat rightside up. Two, the keel is five feet or so long, to make the boat go forward and not sideways. I made a tracing of mine the last time I had the keel off just in case it ever went missing. It's hard to get an accurate tracing of a rounded object but the important points (pivot, lock, and cable holes) are there along with a rough outline of the keel. If you want to try to have one made I could copy the tracing and mail it. I will be out of the country next week so it wouldn't be until I get back, but it is available if needed. -John
Must have made for an interesting moment when it fell. I don't know if you will have much luck with Macgregor. The 25 is an older boat and I don't think that they stocked the keel as a spare. That being said, you could probably have one made out of plate steel for a reasonble cost. As far as installing, you will need a new bolt and washers, as well as a new cable and associated hardware. Was anything damaged when the keel parted company? I imagine the cable gave way from the sudden load, but what about the shock to the winch mounting and where the cable exits the hull? I'd check those areas as well. None of this is insumountable if the price is right. A couple of things to keep in mind for the keel. One- the stock one weighs 625#, for a reason, to keep the boat rightside up. Two, the keel is five feet or so long, to make the boat go forward and not sideways. I made a tracing of mine the last time I had the keel off just in case it ever went missing. It's hard to get an accurate tracing of a rounded object but the important points (pivot, lock, and cable holes) are there along with a rough outline of the keel. If you want to try to have one made I could copy the tracing and mail it. I will be out of the country next week so it wouldn't be until I get back, but it is available if needed. -John
Find another boat
As far as I know, losing the keel is pretty much a death-knell for these boats. The keel is not really available anywhere. You might be able to find a boat that's being parted out and buy the keel, but even then, it's going to be a gargantuan effort to move the keel between the two boats. You could even have somebody make you a new keel, but that's going to cost an arm and a leg. Unless the boat you want to buy is in exquisite condition, and you have prospective sources for a new keel, it's not really worth it. Just find another Mac 25 to buy.
As far as I know, losing the keel is pretty much a death-knell for these boats. The keel is not really available anywhere. You might be able to find a boat that's being parted out and buy the keel, but even then, it's going to be a gargantuan effort to move the keel between the two boats. You could even have somebody make you a new keel, but that's going to cost an arm and a leg. Unless the boat you want to buy is in exquisite condition, and you have prospective sources for a new keel, it's not really worth it. Just find another Mac 25 to buy.
Making a Keel
I would be interested in a keep replacement/making project. At some point in the future I plan to replace the original one as the previous owners were less than dilligent about maintainance and mine has bee badly rusted and pitted since I got my boat. Being a blacksmith and welder, I dont' see much problem with fabricating one. 625 lbs in the metal world isn't a lot. For my small shop, we (me and 1 or 2 assistants) regularly move tools, projects and equipment that weighs thousands of lbs. For a better equipped shop with a forklift, a keel would be a one man job. In terms of price, the steel alone would cost about $200, plus fabrication costs. Maybe $300? I don't remember what my keel looks like at the moment(my Venture is currently 150 miles away). But the profile doesn't seemt too complex. Ask your local welding shop what they think of making one. Let me know if I can help. Mark mark@frogvalley.com
I would be interested in a keep replacement/making project. At some point in the future I plan to replace the original one as the previous owners were less than dilligent about maintainance and mine has bee badly rusted and pitted since I got my boat. Being a blacksmith and welder, I dont' see much problem with fabricating one. 625 lbs in the metal world isn't a lot. For my small shop, we (me and 1 or 2 assistants) regularly move tools, projects and equipment that weighs thousands of lbs. For a better equipped shop with a forklift, a keel would be a one man job. In terms of price, the steel alone would cost about $200, plus fabrication costs. Maybe $300? I don't remember what my keel looks like at the moment(my Venture is currently 150 miles away). But the profile doesn't seemt too complex. Ask your local welding shop what they think of making one. Let me know if I can help. Mark mark@frogvalley.com
keel
Yes, Gary is looking to sell some parts off of a Mac... Also, if you want to see what it looked like...do a search for "Over Keel" the site is on the MacGregor Ring...Shows a refit in La...and he redoes his keel...There are some great pictures...It got me pretty excited about my project...his was ROUGH when he got it... Good luck! Skip Nevermind the search....Here it is...
Yes, Gary is looking to sell some parts off of a Mac... Also, if you want to see what it looked like...do a search for "Over Keel" the site is on the MacGregor Ring...Shows a refit in La...and he redoes his keel...There are some great pictures...It got me pretty excited about my project...his was ROUGH when he got it... Good luck! Skip Nevermind the search....Here it is...
performance keel
With all this talk of making new keels, I would be first in line to get my hands on a performance keel for my mac 21 (read: real airfoil cross-section). In my area, there are a few shops that allegedly specialize in keel fairing/repair/etc, but when I tried to call them it went something like this: "Hello, I have a MacGregor 21 and... Hello??" I guess they think a job so small wouldn't net them much money, because nobody has returned my calls. The only thing I've found online is Computer Keels, http://www.computerkeels.com/template.htm, who will sell you templates of the optimal airfoil shape for your boat to assist with fairing. I haven't looked too hard at it, just thought I'd mention it.
With all this talk of making new keels, I would be first in line to get my hands on a performance keel for my mac 21 (read: real airfoil cross-section). In my area, there are a few shops that allegedly specialize in keel fairing/repair/etc, but when I tried to call them it went something like this: "Hello, I have a MacGregor 21 and... Hello??" I guess they think a job so small wouldn't net them much money, because nobody has returned my calls. The only thing I've found online is Computer Keels, http://www.computerkeels.com/template.htm, who will sell you templates of the optimal airfoil shape for your boat to assist with fairing. I haven't looked too hard at it, just thought I'd mention it.
Why did the keel fall off ?
Did the bolt break cleanly ? did the keel and the bolt get "ripped" out? Could be a dead sentence if that happened. What else is missing? Maybe you should look for a 25 Mac that has already been redone, P.S. Does anyone know where to get a motor mount,,,mine is about a piece of nothing,also does anyone have a used mainsail for a 74 Mac 25,,,mine was destoyed by Ernesto,,,
Did the bolt break cleanly ? did the keel and the bolt get "ripped" out? Could be a dead sentence if that happened. What else is missing? Maybe you should look for a 25 Mac that has already been redone, P.S. Does anyone know where to get a motor mount,,,mine is about a piece of nothing,also does anyone have a used mainsail for a 74 Mac 25,,,mine was destoyed by Ernesto,,,
got it
I've got it I just bought a boat for parts? Email me GARYCRPPS@yahoo.com I'll send you a picture.
I've got it I just bought a boat for parts? Email me GARYCRPPS@yahoo.com I'll send you a picture.
???
I've got one maybe??? But shipping could be crazy?? Where do you live? I had the same problem about 3 months ago and I made one. I got a sheet of 1/4 inch steel and cut it in the shape I wanted? Two of them? Then I had the leading edge welded so I had a very sharpe edge in the water(fast). On the back of the keel it is about 2 inches wide? I filled the inside with steel, rebar, cement,.. drilled the correct holes and it has work good? I looked everywhere to get one or have one made and it's hard the best price I got to have one made was about $500. But I do have an extra right now????
I've got one maybe??? But shipping could be crazy?? Where do you live? I had the same problem about 3 months ago and I made one. I got a sheet of 1/4 inch steel and cut it in the shape I wanted? Two of them? Then I had the leading edge welded so I had a very sharpe edge in the water(fast). On the back of the keel it is about 2 inches wide? I filled the inside with steel, rebar, cement,.. drilled the correct holes and it has work good? I looked everywhere to get one or have one made and it's hard the best price I got to have one made was about $500. But I do have an extra right now????
make your own motor mount
Macolm & Darlene, I have instructions on how to make your own motor mount. Give it a quick read and see if it's up your alley. If it's not, you can buy pre-made (although quite heavy) ones from West Marine. http://www.mnagy.net/mac21/Articles/p2_articleid/25
Macolm & Darlene, I have instructions on how to make your own motor mount. Give it a quick read and see if it's up your alley. If it's not, you can buy pre-made (although quite heavy) ones from West Marine. http://www.mnagy.net/mac21/Articles/p2_articleid/25
I NEED A KEEL AND PARTS
HELLO, I JUST AQUIRED A MACGREGOR 25 AND I AM LOOKING FOR PARTS FOR IT. BESIDES THE KEEL, I ALSO NEED PULPITS, SAILS, RIGGING, ETC.,ETC. BUT THE KEEL SEEMS THE HARDEST TO FIND, SO I AM DEFINITALY INTERESTED IN THE ONE YOU POSSESS. MY E-MAIL IS JTOSIDE@AOL.COM, PLEASE GET BACK TO ME, I REALLY DON'T WANNA HAVE ONE MADE!
HELLO, I JUST AQUIRED A MACGREGOR 25 AND I AM LOOKING FOR PARTS FOR IT. BESIDES THE KEEL, I ALSO NEED PULPITS, SAILS, RIGGING, ETC.,ETC. BUT THE KEEL SEEMS THE HARDEST TO FIND, SO I AM DEFINITALY INTERESTED IN THE ONE YOU POSSESS. MY E-MAIL IS JTOSIDE@AOL.COM, PLEASE GET BACK TO ME, I REALLY DON'T WANNA HAVE ONE MADE!
- Status