Mac 25 Companionway threshold flexing

[Seadoc]

My 85 Mac 25 has been on stands and now is back on her trailer. Both off and on the trailer I discovered that when the keel is retracted to its maximum up position that the area around the companionway flexes. This prevents the drop board from seating fully into the slots. I'm now trying to figure out a way to reduce or remove this distortion.

Has anyone else with a Mac 25 found this issue? If so, suggested correction methods.

Fair winds and thanks.

[steve4]

I think you need to lower the keel to rest on the trailer once she's on there. That would take the load off of that winch mounted to the companionway threshold.

[DragonflyMac25]

Do you have the wood board in place inside under the companionway? Where the winch is?

It's a support basically bracing the bottom of the opening against the interior floor.

I had mine off doing work while I had the keel off.
Did not put it back before I put the keel back in.
Had enough flex the hatch would not fit and allow the top hatch to slide closed.

Also had enough flex I had to drop the keel back out to get the support board back in.
That's how I learned that board is not just a cosmetic cover.

Just a question/thought from my experience.

[JohnnyP]

To build on what Dragonfly noted, there is a bulkhead directly under the companionway that is bolted to the cockpit. This directly supports the companionway threshold as well as the forward portion of the cockpit and, indirectly, aids in stiffening the cabin top. If the bulkhead is present, then you should likely suspect either water damage or missing/damaged bolts. If you do find that, then you can use the existing piece as a template for a new bulkhead.

Cheers