Keel Issue mac 25

[ccraigmile]

Morning All,

I just came into a 1976 Macgregor 25 that hasn't been sailed in 15 years.

It was free... $800 (travel, trailier parts etc) later I have it at a marina up in a lift making sure the keel is free to drop down and re-raise. (another $75)

lets just say it aint going well. The keel is in the up position and when you wind the crank backwards it just winds off the the threads on the winch. Since it is in the up position I assume that there isn't a bolt lock going through anything from all the photos I have seen of the schematics on the boat. CORRECT?

The marina said they would look at it but it's been three weeks and they cant get it to drop.

It is swinging loosely so it must be the winch is shot Correct?

Any cure for the winch issue?

Thanks for any help.

[Bob McLellan]

If the winch handle is coming off, that sounds like the winch is jammed and may need replacing. A normal thing for these boats. That is NOT a trailer winch. You'll need a BRAKE winch which is available from Northern Tool or Harbor Freight. Nothing should be holding the keel up other than the wire rope. If the wire line is unwinding on the winch, then the keel is jammed somehow. If the boat is in the air and you can look under it you should be able to see what it is. Do not mess with the keel with loose wire rope because if it breaks loose then you'll have more than 600 pounds of iron falling. You would have been better off to check it out on the trailer where if the keel came loose it would not fall completely. That is assuming you can see up into the keel trunk when the boat is on the trailer. Also, when on the trailer, the keel cable should be relaxed (loosened) so the keel falls onto a support taking the weight (stress) off the hull.

Where are you located?

[genehacker]

I would consider putting a large strap under the boat and keel to keep it from falling while working on the winch/cable. I use a 2in heavy duty camstrap to hold my boat to the trailer while traveling, they are only $20 to $30 and really solid.

[Gare Bear]

I know the original post was quite some time ago. I own a 1984 Mac 25. As far as I know, there is nothing to hold the keel in the up position other than the cable and brake winch. It sounds to me like the winch itself may be badly corroded. If you try squirting the winch with a penetrating oil, make sure the keel is braced to avoid it dropping and killing someone, and then make sure you do not get any penetrating lube on the braking surfaces of the winch. Also, take care that the winch handle does not freewheel suddenly and knock your teeth out. Probably easier to replace the winch. While you are at it, good idea to replace the thru-hull for the cable and make sure it does not leak. In any case, replace the cable and hardware that attaches the keel to the cable. Easier to do all this at once than a piece at a time.

I understand that these keels were manufactured with a loose fit and some side-to-side play so that they could rest against the keel trunk and take a bit of stress off the swing bolt when heeling from side to side. If you end up completely pulling the swing bolt to drop the keel, inspect it for corrosion and stress fractures and replace it if in doubt. Be cautious with the rubber grommets that seal the swing bolt holes from taking on water. When you re-tighten them, only tighten until any water intrusion stops and then inspect periodically.