Swing keel up when moored?

[Sailing Buff]

I'm a newbie and I just bought a Mac 25. I see in the forum not to keep the boat on the trailer with the keel up, but how about when it's in the water?

[THE CUSCUS]

Can't see how it would matter either way. I would say if the water is deep enough, leave it down all the way against the stop (cable slack), that way if the cable breaks while you're away, it won't come crashing through your trunk. But, if its down all the time, things may start growing in the trunk, making it impossible to raise it later. I keep mine up, but my slip is only 3 feet deep at low tide. I'm sure other's will chime in with more ideas.

[Ixneigh]

They say to let the keel wire (centerboard pennant for all you non newbies) go slack so the trailer takes the load as the rig jounces down the road. At anchor I leave mine cranked up almost all the way so It does not hit the bottom at low tide. It's more comfortable if you are on the boat if the keel is down.
There is a danger if the cable breaks while the keel is UP at anchor or even under sail. The heavy keel will swing all the way down and will probably damage the hull. If I leave my v22 for a lengthy time I take a half inch nylon line and pass it under the boat and draw it up tight and secure the ends. This will catch the keel should the cable part. A simple safety. Note that the cable needs to be replaced as soon as fraying is noticed.

Ixneigh

[Dmarchand99]

I just bought a 1984 MacGregor 22. I haven't figured out how to work the winch so the keel lowers. It seems to be stuck in locked position. I'm hoping its something I'm not doing and not a mechanical problem with the winch. The cable is fine but there is a lot of rust in the gears, though every thing seems to work.

[SeamanLou]

Need to replace the pendant. Thinking of using 1/4" 7/19 aircraft cable (teflon? coated). Where do I find the banjo fitting at the bottom to receive the bolt? Expected it terminates in a threaded rod which accepts the banjo and lock nut. Scratch the above. Replaced it with a new SS 3/16" 7x19 with a swaged banjo.

Re wire: (pennant). I used a small u-bolt from a cable clip and drilled the back drum of the winch. Clamped the cable to the drum side at the back, (nuts out). SHould secure even if cable slacks completely. Assume it should only need 8'. Got 10'

Note:
Measured pivot area (front) carefully. Mine has the typical arcs worn from locked keel banging (or PO hitting obstructions?). Looks like lock should be (V22) 9" radius at 60deg fwd of pivot.

[parttimesailor]

The original winch on my '83 Mac 22 turned freely in both directions (it clicked while lowering the keel) - without changing anything on the winch. If yours doesn't turn easily in both directions, could be a different winch or you have problems...

[bartmac]

We own a 26X and in a bid to stabilise when anchored we have in the past had the board & rudders down HOWEVER the last time we did that during the night the tide and wind interacted and snagged the board....took a bit of unraveling...all good but now we leave the board & rudders up

[usererror]

When I had a deep slip I kept my keel down, cable slacked.

This year its moored in shallow water so I must raise the keel at mooring.

[ROAD Soldier]

I keep mine at a slip and leave just a couple of inches down for maneuvering in the no wake zone. Don't worry about stretching you line unless you did a centerboard filled with lead mode like someone else I know. Your centerboard fills with water and has holes in it for that water to run in and out so it is nearly weightless in the water. I would show you what this does to a plastic 5 gallon can filled with water but I cant find my password to photobucket and I don't have that email that it sends the new password to. I also dont have a swimming pool any more or a paper bag so no repeat experiments can be accomplished. Now far as trailering I have a bar going across mine that I put a rubber pad on and rest the weight of the centerboard on that.

[The-strikes]

I can't sleep with the keel down. It makes too much clunking noise every time the boat rocks.

[Russ]

They say to let the keel wire (centerboard pennant for all you non newbies) go slack so the trailer takes the load as the rig jounces down the road.

I'd go with this.

If maintained properly, I seriously doubt the cable will break. I would keep the board all the way up. Quieter and less movement means less wear. It won't slop around and wear the pivot pin if held tight and upright.

Worse case with it up, junk builds up in the trunk and it won't go down. If you keep it down, worst case junk builds up and it wont go up (even worse).

[SeamanLou]

Need to replace the pendant. Thinking of using 1/4" 7/19 aircraft cable (teflon? coated). Where do I find the banjo fitting at the bottom to receive the bolt? Expected it terminates in a threaded rod which accepts the banjo and lock nut.

Note:
Pendant is 3/16 7x19 stainless cable. Replaced it via RiggingOnly for$36. They said not to use aircraft (coated cable). Took their advice.

[finding41]

I keep my dagger board down about 4'. It makes a big difference when you get on from the dock. Another reason is if I don't leave it down a bit I tend to forget it until I'm motoring through the mooring field wondering why the boat won't steer.
I have bottom paint on it so I figure its good.

[Gare Bear]

On my Mac 25 I pull the keel up when moored so it does not incur unwarranted wear swinging side to side and "clunk-clunking" as the boat rides the waves. If you are on the boat while on a mooring, having the keel down stabilizes the boat, as long as you don't mind the clunking sound. I've been informed that some side-to-side play was designed into the keel/trunk. On the trailer, the keel is lowered to contact the trailer so the hull does not have to support the weight of the keel when on the bunks. Remember to pull it up again before you launch or you will have a problem.

[Linestarboard]

I can't sleep with the keel down. It makes too much clunking noise every time the boat rocks.

How do you stop this clunking noise? It's intolerable. Can't sleep with the boat rolling with the keel up. Can't sleep with the keel clunking with the keel down.