Rookie with a 74 mac 25.. keel questions.

[ccraigmile]

I just came into a Mac 25 that needs some work... The keel hasn't been dropped in 12+ years and has some significant rust along the front edge of the keel.

I'm having my local guys "boatworks" in Syracuse ny Drop and winch up the keel before i try it in the water. ( I can't imagine how you get that thing up after it is off the trailer )

Is it fair to assume that if just the front edge is rusty we can sand it sown, repaint and keep going?

PS new to sailing all together so this should be a joy!

Cheers!
Chris

[Catigale]

Chris... From sunny Albany

You need to check that keel out carefully before you sail. It can easily be lost if the wire or pin is corroded and you will not be able to replace it for less than 2000 USD

I have never seen a keel corroded only on the front edge.

Take pictures of the keel when dropped and post them here or send to me for posting (since you are a forum NewB)

Hello NewB !!!!!

[Divecoz]

That would suck .... big time.. take heed Chris..

Chris... From sunny Albany

You need to check that keel out carefully before you sail. It can easily be lost if the wire or pin is corroded and you will not be able to replace it for less than 2000 USD
I have never seen a keel corroded only on the front edge.

Take pictures of the keel when dropped and post them here or send to me for posting (since you are a forum NewB)

Hello NewB !!!!!

[Russ]

I would be there when they drop it and examine the thing carefully. Clean it all up and replace hardware if it's old.

Some pics would help.

[Bob McLellan]

Those iron keels can look pretty bad and be rescued. Check out my "sailingaz" site on photobucket and you can see what mine looked like. You will most likely have to replace your keel winch and line (BRAKE WINCH not a trailer winch) and check carefully the keel pivot bolt (available from BWY) and the amount of wear where the keel bolt holds the keel. The keel bolt has a bit of "slop" that allows the keel to "Swing" from side to side when you change tack - that is normal. It is a pain when it hammers the side of the keel trunk when at anchor though.

[ccraigmile]

Mine will be looking very similar to yours. The photo's are great. as soon as I get this one down I will send you all some photos.

I am planning on being there when they drop the keel. Hopefully it all goes smoooth but who knows. I see where the pivot Bolt and locking bolt come out. How easy is that to do the reinstall?

Thanks for all the info...

If the keel is good, then onto finishing the deck and replacing a Genoa. Someday i might even be able to float it...

[Bob McLellan]

How easy is that to do the reinstall?

When I did mine I set up a furniture dolly (about 12x20-inch platform on small wheels) and added wood to form a channel so that when the bottom end of the keel was was lowered, it fit into the channel and was held upright. Then I had another small "U" shaped piece of 1/4-in metal that was just the correct size to go around the front end of the keel where the pivot bolt is located. It was kind'a like making a "U" shape with your fingers on one side - thumb on the other as if you were going to grasp the keel. The "U" had a round piece of metal added at the bottom to fit into a hole located in the lifting end of a floor jack. Once the bottom end of the keel was lowered into the dolly piece, the the floor jack was raised just enough to take the weight off the pivot bolt, pull the bolt, and then just drop the keel down. The floor jack with its long handle will lead the keel right out from under the boat.

Putting the keel back in was exactly the reverse and simple with one exception - lining up the keel bolt. If you paint a circle around the keel bolt hole and divide it into four quadrants and use a different color paint in each quadrant (kind'a like a sight on a rifle) then when you look through the hole using a flash light you should be able to tell if you need to adjust the hole up - down or fore - aft by viewing what color you see. Doing it by myself took a few trips up and down into the boat so be sure the boat is VERY stable.

[Catigale]

Bob...clever idea sighting the keel boat hole...

[vizwhiz]

That really is a clever idea...I'll have to keep it in mind when it's time to drop mine.

[ccraigmile]

What did you use to replace the bolts. I'd like to have them before I have it pulled down. just curious on length and size.

[Bob McLellan]

I was able the reuse mine, except the locking bolt. Don't recall the size, but I understand that the bolts, stainless washers, and rubber sealing washers are still available from BWY. My keel pivot bolt seemed to have the correct number of threads so when completely tightened, it did "crush" anything,