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I have a Mac 25 1984. It's my first one and I don't have a manual. I want to know if there is a way to lock the keel in the down position while sailing? Do you even need to do this?

Ryan wrote:I have a Mac 25 1984. It's my first one and I don't have a manual. I want to know if there is a way to lock the keel in the down position while sailing? Do you even need to do this?

Yes, there is a way to lock it down. There is a hole through the trunk, drilled above the pivot bolt hole. With the keel down, a hole in the keel will align with the holes through the trunk. Slide a bolt through the trunk, the keel, and then out the other side of the trunk and secure it with a nut.

Do you realllllly need to? In light to mild winds....no, probably not. In heavier winds....it's advisable. If the keel is not locked down, it could swing back up into the boat during a knockdown. This presents two possible consequences: damage to the boat, loss of self-righting capability, or both.

Thanks so much. Do you know what the proper bolt size is?

The first time I locked my keel (with a bolt) I hit a rock and ripped a gash in my centerboard trunk. Since then I have not locked down the keel although I do have concerns about it especially when encountering big waves that cause the keel to bounce for and aft against the stop. Someone I spoke to last week suggested to use a wooded dowel as a lock pin. This should hold the keel during waves or a knock down but would shear if you hit a rock.

The bolt should be slightly smaller than the hole in diameter

(sorry, long day)

The keel lock down bolt for all MacGregor keel boats is 3/8" X 3". Use a non-locking nut (or wing nut, if space allows) to secure the bolt in place. The kit from bwyachts.com also includes 2 rubber washers, so you may want to get a couple of those as well. Some people complain that without the rubber washers, they get leakage from the lockdown bolt hole. It doesn't always happen, but may be more likely in choppier waters.

Thanks so much guys, I,ll go get a bolt today.