macgregor keel

[adam6969]

Hello,

From what I can tell from searching the internet Macgregor sailboats have both swing keels and drop down keels. Is that right?
If so, I am looking at purchasing a 1982 25' Macgregor sailboat and am wondering if it has a swing keel or drop down keel.
I would definitely prefer swing keel because the lake that I will be sailing has many reefs and sand bars and there is a good chance that I will eventually clip one.

One other question is if anyone has an idea of a decent price for a 1982 25' Mac? From what I can tell, depending on features and quality, it's not worth more that 5,000.00 CAD.

Thanks,
Adam

[Frank C]

The Mac 25 (honored in the Sailboat Hall of Fame) was produced from 1980 until 1987 with a swinging iron keel weighing 575 pounds. It's reputed to be faster under sail than any other of Roger's trailerables. Check to see that the fiberglass trunk, board pivot, winch and cable are sound. That very heavy keel can damage the hull if abused, and repairs are a big job. Sorry, don't know about market values, but most owners love those boats.

I believe Macgregor's first daggerboard (fiberglass, not iron) did not arrive until the following model, the 26D, from 1987 to 1989, after which he designed a swing centerboard (26S).

These two models are also referred to as the 26 classics (26C) to differentiate them from the subsequent 26 powersailers (1995). The powersailers are cuddy-style boats with much greater freeboard, a transom for a 50 hp outboard, but less sailing prowess.

Edit- P.S. note that even though swinging, a keel of such weight isn't going to just "pop up" when hitting something. Though better than a fixed keel, it can cause some damage at that pivot point ... further, I believe there was a lock-down bolt (or device) to prevent the keel's folding up during a knockdown. Standby for info from owners of the 25.

[adam6969]

Thanks for your quick reply.

I was wondering, would I have to worry about stability of this boat, while the keel is up, since it doesn't have the water ballast?

Could anyone also tell me if this boat is easy to turtle?

Thanks,
Adam

[baldbaby2000]

The boat is still stable with the keel up. I've owned 2 of them. There isn't really anything to be gained that I could tell as far as speed with the keel up, either motoring or sailing. I liked to keep the keel down so that if I hit something the keel would hit before the rudder. Take a good look at the keel. Some were incapsulated in epoxy and if that is coming off it may be a lot of work to fix it. Both my boats had just the painted keels but in any case you should look for corrosion.

Although not intentionally, I hit my keel many times on rocks with no apparent damage. I sold my last one (1985) for $4000. It had a good motor but the hull was slightly warped. You should check the hull carefully. It's important to lower the keel onto the trailer or the hull is stressed from the keel weight. I have earlier posts where I discussed this in more detail.

It's an OK sailing boat but I don't think it's quite as fast as the classic 26 with the daggerboard.

BB

[cagleco]

I have a 1976 Venture 25 that I got for $800. It needed a lot of maintinance mostly. Now that it is completely remodeled, I would probably ask between $4000 and $5000. But it has a new mainsail, four head sails in great condition and much more.

It seems to be a very stable boat with keel down. I would be very careful not to use a lot of sail with the keel up and heavier winds. It is very important that the keel be locked down if you want it to self right. I had the same concerns when I first got my Venture. You really just have to use common sence and not get got with too much sail up when the winds pick up. With the keel locked down, I have heeled over at 20-25 degrees with comfort.

If you are in shallow water you should adjust accordingly. It is a pretty tough lick when you run aground at any real speed. Depending on your point of sail, you can heel a great deal on impact.

[baldbaby2000]

Whether you lock the keel down or not I think depends on your sailing conditions. I rarely locked mine down and sailed in some pretty heavy winds but mostly on lakes so the waves weren't too bad. If you lock it down you loose the advantage of having it come up if you hit something. You'd have to heel past 90 degrees to have the keel come up. I have heard stories of boats essentially turtling with and the keel comes slamming back into the trunk and busting through. This is probably unlikely but something to keep in mind if you're in huge waves that might knock the boat over.

BB

[johnnyonspot]

Hello,

From what I can tell from searching the internet Macgregor sailboats have both swing keels and drop down keels. Is that right?
If so, I am looking at purchasing a 1982 25' Macgregor sailboat and am wondering if it has a swing keel or drop down keel.
I would definitely prefer swing keel because the lake that I will be sailing has many reefs and sand bars and there is a good chance that I will eventually clip one.

One other question is if anyone has an idea of a decent price for a 1982 25' Mac? From what I can tell, depending on features and quality, it's not worth more that 5,000.00 CAD.

Thanks,
Adam

Your 1982 model Mac 25 would definitely have a dropdown keel. I think around $4k is what they are going for assuming decent condition. I purchased a 1983 Mac 25 last March and paid $2400. Boat was priced at $3300 and I low-balled at $2300, and was counter-offered $2500. I accepted, then received another $100 for a slightly bent mast that straightens when rigged. I think I got an absolute steal. When I tell friends what I paid they are shocked. The boat is pretty fast and seems to point reasonably well, though its no J22. I sail on Lake Mille Lacs in central Minnesota, a fairly shallow lake, and always have the keel unpinned. Have hit rocks with it a few times with no damage. Also ran it aground on a lee shore when making an emergency re-connection of port shroud I had stupidly forgotten to check before casting off. The boat healed a tremedous amount since the keel was caught on the bottom, but it leveled out some when we dropped the main, and we cranked up the keel and motored back into deeper water. It was quite invigorating, but at no time were we in any danger of capsizing, let alone having the keel swing back into its trunk. And certainly no risk of turtling in shallow water. I could have nearly waded ashore. In sum, the 25 is a great boat because it is of high quality, sails well on all points, and is a great value, all of which put it into the sail boat hall of fame as previously mentioned.

[Catigale]

well, though its no J22

If Im not way off on pricing, your deal would be about 6 J22s

[adam6969]

The guy called me over the holidays and told me he sold the boat.
He also said he got the 8000.00 for it, which from what I seen here and in adds really takes me by surprise.

Thanks everyone for your help. I guess there must be a better one out there for me.

Adam

[Tom Root]

Sorry that you lost the buy, but few of these boats are scrapped, as they make excellent project boats and easily doable within a small budget as well!

One thing I'd like to emphasize is if you really feel you must lock your keel down, is to use a wooden dowel of appropriate size, or even a plastic bolt. But in the event of a shoal grounding, or obstruction, it can "Give", and your hull, and possibly you will live to sail another day.

This is just my opinion after owning two Ventures, that are still out there and sailing......to my knowledge!

BTW, if he got 8 grand for that boat, it must have been loaded, as that is more than what it sold for then.

Maybe Macs are getting like Harley's, and appreciating!