Help me find a used keel

[old guys sail]

Need a keel for my 1980 V-22. Close to upstate Sc if possible, but will travel.

[ChockFullOnuts22]

I've been looking for the same thing because these keel failure stories have me scared. However, a keel by itself is hard to find. Your best bet is probably to look for a whole boat to part out. Any V22/222 from 1974 to the end of production should fit in your 1980 boat. 1969-1972-73 had the steel-encapsulated-in-fiberglass type.

If MacGregor manufactured and sold replacement keels for just the 22's and 25's, I'll bet there would be enough of a demand to justify production. Just a thought.

[JoeVacs]

Hey Old Guy, do you have you old keel ?

[old guys sail]

Ooooh--that hurts.
No, it is at the bottom of Lake Murray, SC somewhere. I have a diagram from Blue Water. I had a lead on a used keel but the gentleman wont call me back. And in the mean time good sailing weather is slipping by like my boat slipped back without the keel......

[ChockFullOnuts22]

Have you tried getting any quotes for having a new one made with the drawings you got from Blue Water? I'd be interested in hearing how much they would charge.

[JoeVacs]

Ooooh--that hurts.
No, it is at the bottom of Lake Murray, SC somewhere. I have a diagram from Blue Water. I had a lead on a used keel but the gentleman wont call me back. And in the mean time good sailing weather is slipping by like my boat slipped back without the keel......

Sorry, just don't know your name...

I was gonna suggest rebuilding yours, but I guess that's not a viable option... There was one on Ebay a while back and you could also check craigs list and upillar.com

[Pete]

I wonder what replacment keels would sell for?

[ChockFullOnuts22]

Not cheap. MacGregor / Blue Water Yachts doesn't even offer one anymore, for any of their boats. Even if they were available new from one source or another, I'll bet the price would be well above a few hundred dollars.

I think using the early keel designs as a stepping stone could be beneficial. Make the main structure and ballast out of steel, just the same way that the early V22 keels are, and then mold the foil shape around it with something like PTFE or vinyl or something plastic like that. A plastic shell like that would be more resilient to impacts than fiberlgass, and therefore might protect the steel core a lot longer. I would think that using such a method would be cheaper than fiberglass, too.

[Pete]

I own a machine/weld/fiberglass shop and could build a keel fairly easly. I have not priced it out but I think you're looking at close to $750-$1000 in material alone. I would not sell it to my own mother for less then $1500-$2000. It would be even higher if I was trying to make money at it. Maybe if severial people that needed one so you could make 5-10 of them at a time.

[ChockFullOnuts22]

Your figures probably aren't far off from what anyone else would have to charge, either. And for that kind of money, someone could just buy a whole boat and pillage the whole thing for parts.

As it is, I'm thinking about looking for a fix'er upper for that very reason. If I could find a complete boat with a good keel and a 9.5+ hp outboard, I'd buy the whole rig for parts and sell what was left over. Every once in a while, one of those project boat deals is out there...

[rgranger]

I purchased a Mac V21 for a friend of mine a few years ago. I only paid $500 for it... he has had it in a slip since and has never sailed it. He told me a few months ago he would like to sell it. (Catch is there is not trailer).

The boat is VERY dry and otherwise in good shape but all of the wood would need to be replaced and the rudder is shot.

So.... might make a very nice part-out boat. If you are interested, I could put you in touch with him and you could see if you want to the boat.

If you already have a trailer you could put your boat on blocks for a few days while you picked this one up. It is located in central Virginia.

Best,
r

!	Moderator Note:
	Removed munged email. Please use email icon at right. ~Rich

[ChockFullOnuts22]

Unfortunately, the V21 keel is not the same as the one in the V22/V2-22. It's too bad...I've seen more V21 "parts" suitable boats out there than 22's lately.

[old guys sail]

Chock,
I waas close to getting a steel keel from a guy in vA. Then the guy at Blue Water STRONGLY advised me not to try to rebuild one of those, saying the rebuilding of the fiberglass or resin would nto be worth it. He suggested a used cast one.
I then went to a local foundry with the diagram. Basically the guy would make a steel skin, then fill it with lead. Probably around $1,600 or so. He said my best bet was to get my father in law to make one. But he's too busy this summer with his company, so I am thinking of making one out of plywood this weel just to keep up and use for fishing. What a bummer.

Still need a used cast iron keel for V22

[ChockFullOnuts22]

I have to disagree with what the guy at Blue Water Yachts told you, as long as the steel core is in solid shape. Determining what "solid shape" is requires careful and thorough examination of the steel. Excessive flaking rust, deteriorated holes (pivot, lock, cable), and separation between the center mainplate and the side cheekplates are all red-flag items. But if the holes are in good shape (or at least repairable), the cheekplates are holding fast, and you're not digging forever to knock off the rust flakes, then the keel can be rebuilt. However, you absolutely have to use quality materials if you want any longevity out of your rebuild. Poor steel prep work and polyester resin (like Bondo brand fiberglass repair kits have) fiberglass will have your keel rusting again in no time. Careful metal prep and a protective coat (POR-15), along with Epoxy resin fiberglass, will make the keel last considerably longer.

Your best bet in finding a used cast iron keel is to find a whole boat to part out. Take the keel, and then sell off whatever parts you can. There was a boat for sale in NJ lately that was listed for something like $1700 or best offer, fully ready to sail with a Johnson 9.9. The keel and the engine alone would have been worth that price. Unfortunately, I couldn't manage to successfully pitch the idea to the wife. Anyway, starting combing the Craigslist listings along the east coast. You would be surprised how often a V222 or 22 will pop up for less than $1500. Sometimes less than $1000.

[JoeVacs]

here ya go dude, and it's in GA !... better hurry though ! Only 8 hours left. It's at $364 with a trailer ! Yeah it's a 24 but the keel should work and who knows you might like the whole boat better... My wife won't let me bid

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1971-Mac ... ZSailboats