MacGregorSailors.com

Hi,
Changing the keel cable on the V25. Simple 1/2 hour job.....Wrong! PO had plastered 3/16" of bottom paint over the hardware. Lesson learned, DON'T DO THAT! Hardware was installed so tight it crushed the cable eye thimble. Now my thoughts and question: One would think you would want the thimble to rotate as the keel travels thru it's ark as it is moving up or down, so should it only be tight enough to have that happen to avoid the kinking at the crimp, or should it be stupid tight like it was?
Thanks,
T

Years ago on my 25 I did exactly as you suggest, and let it swivel. I did double nut it, with the outer jam nut being a nylon lock nut. Sailed it that way for ten years with no problems. The fellow I sold it to has not had to change the cable yet, so I say let it rotate. No need for Mr. 'Rilla to tighten it!

Thanks,
I found a relief (under all the bottom paint) that was cast into the keel that runs at about 40 or 50 degrees implying cable clearance, so I went with snug
and can rotate. Then I found a broken leaf spring.....
T