Replacing the Keel Winch on a 1973 MacGregor Venture 24

[mawalsh]

Good Afternoon,

I recently purchased a 73 MacGregor Venture 24 in pretty good shape, but the keel winch in pretty rusted and on our first trip I had to use a marlinspike to keep it from running out after I had raised the keel.

Anyhow, I want to replace the winch and while I am doing so replace the board that is holding it up. Any recommendations for type of wood to use, and type of winch?

Thanks,

Mike

[Bob McLellan]

Get the winch from Northern Tool (you can buy on-line). The one you want is called a BRAKE WINCH. Not a trailer type winch. Use any good solid wood, but I would cover it with glass and resin - but I have seem some just varnished.

[mawalsh]

Any recommendations on wood type...does anyone use any other system other than a piece of wood across the cockpit? Thanks,
Mike

[Lloyd Franks]

All the 24's I've seen have that clunky wooden piece. Glassing the wood will preserve it, but painting or some other sealer will work as well, and be easier to do.

[Bill Reichert]

I just used 2x8 treated lumber and put non skid tape on it. I also got permission from the mods here to invite you to a new V24 and 224 Yahoo group. http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Venture24/
I just started the group on Dec 22, 08 and you will be member 24!

[mawalsh]

Bill,

I got your invite and signed up for the group...I will get some photos posted soon.

Thanks for the add,

Mike

[baldbaby2000]

I'd use an exterior grade plywood. If it's like the Mac 25 that wood is structural and takes a lot of force.

[ncsailor]

I have a question.Does anyone have a picture of the manual winch.I have a 1984 mac 25 that has the iron swing keel.The manual winch was replaced with an electric winch sometime before I purchased the boat.I would like to restore it to the original manual after I had an problem with the battery going dead while I had the winch down. I could not get it back on the trailor until I got a new battery.It would be great if someone had a pic of the manual winch in a mac 25 or similar application in a keel boat with the same layout.

[wcschub]

Hello, I am new to the Sailing lifestyle (also to this type of Forum) and recently purchsed a 1986 25' MacGregor. I am replacing the cable to raise the keel, but I do not get the way the winch works to relase the keel. My winch only takes up the Cable. How do you get it to release? there is no lever or adjustment I can see.

Any help / Info is appreciated.
Thanks for all the help so far.

[Bawgy]

Should be able to unwind it opposite the way you raise it.

[wcschub]

It appears to have a set of friction plates (braking?), maybe once there is a load on it, it'll unwind. I'll find out this weekend.
Thanks for the Help.