MacGregorSailors.com

It's been a while since I've posted anything, so I just wanted to update the group. We've spent the summer in the Gulf of Mexico enjoying the Venture 25. Only thing remaining to do on her is to remove the keel this winter and acid wash then prime and reseal then re-install. Will probably change the winch cable as long as I have her off the trailer. Also looking at upgrading the trailer. She's on the original single axle that's been rebuilt many times, so I'll put a aluminum trailer with tandems under her.

After getting under the boat to get a good look at the keel I'm not sure I can do anything to refurbish this thing that would last! It's rusted and splitting in places. I'm not sure removing it right now would accomplish anything until I can find a replacement or build one. I might get a little more life out of it if I remove it and give it an acid bath and resealing then refinish it, however the splitting worries me! Any ideas?

i just went through this whole process and it was hull!

My keel was so rusted it swelled and would stick at about 40 percent down.
Chipping away at 30yrs of rust until it ripped free of hull was easy part.

Anyways i chose to chip, grind and sand away layers of layers of cancerous rust. I then painted on rust dissolver jelly and let it blacken up.
I then lifted it up on a crane with a rope thru bot hole, and coated the mangled surface with epoxy resin and layers of fiberglass.
After that it was a light sanding and bottom paint.

Getting it back in was a work of art as i did this in my backyard/water
Basically craned the heavy SOB onto a wooden ramp cradle made from pressure treat scraps.
Then moved the boat over keel during high tide and waited until tide recede.
Seeing the bolt hole is below water line (only god knows why?!), attached crane to bow and very carefully, patiently position boat over keel until holes lined up.
Was a total PAIN

Boat is much faster with a smooth keel, but let me tell ya, we have had strong winds her in Boca Ciega Bay and i figured YES! I can finally drop my keel 100% and push this little ship. Well, NO
I find the boat is way WAY faster at half keel. Full keel, even in 15-20 knt winds feels like an anchor overboard?!
Also makes boat feel like it lumbers and in chop the damn thing swings on the line and makes me fearsome of a strong swing ripping the boat apart!
Seems i can never get this boat to sail upwind without the pusher motor
Overall a great design if you want to pull up to any beach, but a sh~t design for ACTUAL sailing

Anyways, DO NOT remove the keel unless it is necessary, absolutely necessary.
Acid wash or rust dissolver and paint if its minor, you may need to glass if it was falling apart like mine.
Check your bolts, holes, cables, etc.
Actually check the whole damn boat especially mast step, rigging, dot dot dot

best of luck

Did you locate the bladder in the bow? My 22 doesnt seem to like it when I put weight towards the front.

sporgo wrote:Did you locate the bladder in the bow? My 22 doesnt seem to like it when I put weight towards the front.

Not sure what you mean by "in the bow" or
what "doesn't seem to like it" means. Does it hobby horse a lot?

I have 20 gallons water under the Vberth as close to the keel as possible.
4 - 5 gallon jugs and I use a whale foot pump piped to the galley.
On most sailboats it pays not to load up the extreme ends with weight.
Weight Low and centered is the name of the game.

Your boat looks pretty lightly loaded, no pushpit, pulpit, ground tackle.
Mine is built as a mini cruiser and I have a lot of stuff inside.
Light stuff in the ends, heavy stuff inside low - as inconvenient as that is sometimes...

I finally got around to removing the swing keel and I've been using a air chisel to remove the old finish and all the rust scaling. I've decided to use the POR-15s three step process to kill any rust that remains. Then use TotalBoat Polyester Structural Repair Putty to smooth and reshape the keel as needed then finish with gel coat. Does anyone know what the packing is when putting the swing bolt back in? It looks like plumbers putty on either side under the cap, but I'm not sure! It's looking rough at the moment, but I'm working on it each day and hope to finish in a week or so. https://www.dropbox.com/s/2pcs2iervj2pn ... 1.jpg?dl=0

I'm finally ready to remount the keel. This keel cleaned up well. Might have lost 20 lbs, but it's good to go again.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/kivswmrz7inwdvu/keel.jpg?dl=0

Nice job! Keel looks great. Looks like you've got some good help.

Yeah, my grandson and son helped with the job. Went sailing last week and only had one issue. Mast wiring! I broke a foot above the tabernacle. Looks like I'll be pulling new wire this weekend. Does anyone know what type of wire I should use? I was thinking about 4 wire just in case I want to add something later. Currently I have the steaming light and anchor light. both LED.

I get all my wiring for both boats from here....

http://www.genuinedealz.com/marine-wire?p=2&size=51

Good prices, tinned wire and the freight costs are minimal. I'd go with at least 16 gauge just for the strength factor.

The three wire would take care of most situations. I ran two separate wires but maybe would use the 3 wire if I did it again since the running light isn't too far from the top of the mast. I also use the anchor light as the running light, which is legal as it is an all-around light and can be use with just the bow lights if under power. Under sail I use the bow lights and the stern light.

You might also want to put something on the wire to help eliminate wire slap inside the mast.



.. I used foam but others have used zip ties. More on what I did here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... de-41.html

Sumner

============================
1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Wyoming, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

Sounds good thanks for the info.