26S Centerboard Line Broke

[sailboatBill]

I have a 1989 26S. Sailing on Lake Huron in Michigan this weekend, my motor stalled and the wind pushed me into a sandbar while my Centerboard was down. In the struggle to free the boat from the sandbar, the cable that lowers and raises the Centerboard became disconnected from the board -- I swam under the boat in shallow water and could feel the end of the cable, but I'm not sure how and where it attaches to the centerboard. Does anybody happen to have any information about how this cable attaches to the centerboard-- photo/diagram would be great, and also is this a repair I can make without pulling the boat out of the water?

[Divecoz]

I have an but from all that I have read here.. numerous post about this issue..( these are older boats ) I would suspect that to work through this issue in the water, Scuba may well be necessary?

[dvideohd]

We have our centerboard out for bottom paint now....

I thought about adding a short line as a "back up" to the normal centerboard line - for the reason you outline.... In my case, i was thinking of backup in case I hit something - and broke the main centerboard line. I did not think this would be a long line - and just for a backup...

Anyone done this???

--jerry

[sailboatBill]

Jerry,
I'm having a hard time visualizing how the steel cable attaches to the centerboard, since yours in out of the water, would you be able to possibly post a photo of the cable attaching to the centerboard?
My fear is that, because the cable broke free, that the centerboard was somehow damaged, and won't be easily repaired. I was thinking I'd like to repair it with possibly a new line made from Amsteel, but I need a photo to know what I need to do to secure the new line to the centerboard.

--Bill

[sailboatBill]

I emailed MacGregor at the 'contact us' on link on what I believe is their FACTORY WEB SITE (http://www.macgregor26.com/), asking for a photo or a diagram for the centerboard/cable setup for my boat, however, I didn't get a response. I understand that my boat is 20+ years old, but it seems strange that they don't seem to offer any real support information for older boats, the entire site seems devoted to advertising their latest MACGREGOR 26 boat. Is this the correct site to get support from, and if so, does anybody else have any history of getting support from this company?

[Hamin' X]

The factory is still trying to figure out if the internet is a useful tool, Bill. Most folks that contact them have good success using the phone, but I think that you might need a rotary. The go to guy is named Bill, but I understand that he has retired, so I'm not sure who you would want to talk to.

Another resource is Mike Inmon, at Inmon Yachts. He works closely with the factory and seems to be a responsive guy.

Also, you might try Blue Water Yachts. They are the official repository of all Macgregor parts for the older models.

Here is the factory promo video. At about the six minute mark, there is a shot of the centerboard. Doubt if it will help, but fun to watch.

~Rich

[FinallySailing]

Bill, if I remember right, on our 26S the swingkeel had to be replaced by the previous owner. In my boat folder there are some technical drawings with regards to the swingkeel setup. I am at work today and tonight, so will not get to the marina before tomorrow evening or Thursday. If still needed (and if my memory didn't play tricks on me) I could scan and email you, what I have.

Best wishes,

Immo

[Sumner]

This thread will probably help you....

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/mac ... read/46949

There is a lot there about alternate ways to run the CB uphaul line, but the one section of the tread deals with attaching the line to the CB.



The picture above is ours when I was painting the boat's bottom. I should have a better one, I'll look. Basically the cable goes through a hole on the back edge and then there is a cross hole below that where the line comes out of the CB. If you pull it out some then a furl can be crimped on to keep the line from then escaping. Let me look for better pictures,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[Sumner]

Here is a picture with the cable in our IdaSailor CB...



.... and there is more on CB removal here....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-40.html

....Ours is a 90 S and you remove the CB pivot from below. Later S's you removed it from inside the boat. If yours is an S it should be like ours. I'm a little confused as I'm seeing S and D mentioned on this thread,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[sailboatBill]

Thank you all for your responses and photo's to my issue with the centerboard -- the help provided here is really great, and very much appreciated.

As an update, I received an email from Blue Water Yachts, and they indicated that the MacGregor factory forwarded my inquiry on to them, and in the email they said they (Blue Water Yachts) would be able to help me with any information and/or parts for my 1989 MacGregor. I'll post any information they provide here.

UPDATE: Response from Blue Water Yachts:

The cable has a small loop on the end that attaches by passing through a 3/8" hole in the trailing edge of the centerboard. There is a larger hole that is drilled through the centerboard about 1" in from the trailing edge which allows you to put a 1/4" X 1" bolt through the loop in the end of the cable forming a tee which will not pull out through the small hole.
If the end of the cable is just frayed wires it probably broke and the board is probably not damaged, you will just need a new cable. If the cable has the loop and 1/4" bolt on the end of it, then it ripped out of the trailing edge of the centerboard and the board will either need to be repaired or replaced.
If the board isn't damaged you can probably do it in the water with a SCUBA tank, it would be hard without air. If the board is damaged it is probably split lengthwise and you may well be able to temporarily tie a piece of small strong rope around the trailing edge of the board through the large hole that you can pass up into the boat to control the board until you get the boat out of the water.

Regards,
Bill