Mac 26S swing keel won't retract, what's wrong!

[Mac26S-95]

I too am having the same issue on my recently purchased '95 26S. Apparently, this is a common issue with our older boats. Have you figured out what the issue was, and what corrections did you make? I've temporarily connected a 3:1 block & tackle and was able to move it with great effort, but this doesn't seem right to me. I believe that I should be able to raise it with much less effort.

[FlyboyTR]

We have a 91 S-model. I, like others, blocked up the boat and removed the trailer for painting, etc. I also had to do repair to the cracked and damaged swing keel. There is not a lot that could cause things to NOT swing up or down. If it swings up easily while you are under the boat (in the water), then the problem is either the location of the mounting cable attachment point has been moved (forward or aft), something is frayed and jammed or the pulleys are frozen. Our centerboard weighs 48 pounds.

Our control line is ran out to our cockpit for convenience. I have a 2-1 purchase on the line so that Kathy can lift/swing the board. The hardest time to move the board is the initial movement...once it is moving it should glide up fairly easily (momentum is your friend). If there is a side load on the board, like the boat is moving/sailing, etc. it can be almost impossible to move until you head up and reduce the side load.

Stuff growing around the board or inside the pocket can quickly become a major problem.