My new Mac 21 keel cable connection

[erc52]

Just got an 86 Mac 21 and have a question about where the keel attaches to the cable. The manual shows a tube for the keel cable but says that the 21 does not have the tube only the 22 and 26 models do. But it doesn't show a picture of the 21. When I looked at the cable/keel connection their is about a 6" by8" hole in the raised part of the cabin where the keel comes through. Is this typical for the Mac 21 or is this a crazy modification from the previous owner. If this is sopposed to be there how does water not gush through it. Also the keel does'nt look like others I have seen on the web. There is a raised area where the keel attaches to the cable and comes through the 6 by 8 hole.. Any answers would be appreciated.

[bobbieaw]

I am NOT an expert on Mac 21's but I do own one and it has the typical "tube" where the cable runs up to the brake winch. When I had a Venture 23 (older Mac) I had the same tube, but it was routed to the winch inside the cabin...not into the cockpit. They say a picture is worth a thousand words...can you take one? I could send you one of my set-up, but it is just the tube to the top of the keel trunk where it attaches to the solid "cast iron" keel. Thru the years, they played around with the keel some, but in all I have seen....they were mostly a slab of weight, some coated with epoxy, all bolted in the front, with a cable running down to the back. I actually pulled mine last year to check the bolt up front....and while it was out I had someone sandblast then coated and installed with new bolt. I wish I had taken pictures of the entire process now, but at the time it was just routine maintenace for me.

If you have a 6" hole open to the water on the top of you keel trunk, even if it is above the waterline, speed and waves would send water up thru it! In my MAC, I have a small sponge piece I shove in the top of my cable tube to keep water from splashing up....I can't imagine a 6" hole....

If you can get a picture it may help...Scott

[frscott]

I am also putting a keel back in on my '86 25'. I also really want to know how water does not gush in through the pivot bolt and through the cable access hole. Any conversation on that would be great! Pictures here

http://forums.sailinganarchy.com/index. ... &album=809

[erc52]

Thanks Scott for the answer to my question. I will get a picture or two next time I get to the cabin where the boat is and then attempt to post them. My plan is to get it in the water this spring and see what happens. Got it for a fair price and if it does not fill with water great but if it does I'll take the loss and find another. Just want to get back into sailing after a 25 year absence. Thanks again.

[bobbieaw]

As I mentioned before, all these openings on the keel "trunk" are in theory above the water line always. Add in the design of older Macs to hydroplane on top of the water (trust me with enough wind and sail they do!) the pivot bolt and lock down bolt hole, along with the cable hole should always be above the water line. Water may "splash" in...but shouldn't be gushing in When sailing last fall so my wife could take a picture or two from shore....she saw the keel once when I caught a bit more wind for a second. I was sailing along over 6mph steady (far above hull speed) and the GPS read 8mph once. So the keel trunk and all bolt holes were well above the waterline

The pivot bolt does have a set of rubber washers and if you buy the kit (Blue water yacths) you get everything new. I pulled my keel to inspect the keel bolt (it was fine) but since it was out I added a new SS bolt.

For erc52...welcome back to sailing! The cost of an older MAC is nothing compared to the money you will spend making it better. Get it in the water and see if it sails! When I purchased my 21 about 2 years ago, I spent less than $200 to see if it would "not sink" when placed in the water. They say they will never sink (with the foam) but you never know Most of that was spent on safety stuff required by law (everything on the boat was expired/missing when purchased). I have a Coast Guard Station about 1/4 mile from where I launch, and I didn't wan't to get caught without flares. The Mac 21 is a dream to sail, but I'm not sure it is really large enough to overnight on Enjoy sailing your Mac, and when the snow melts in spring, I'll pull my boat and shoot your pictures....Scott