Search found 1728 matches

by Chinook
Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:59 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Kicker Motor Performance/Speed
Replies: 13
Views: 666

Re: Kicker Motor Performance/Speed

I carry a 2.5 hp 4 stroke Suzuki kicker on a retractable stern mount. It's a short shaft motor, and when the mount is lowered, the prop is deep enough to power the Mac. I mainly use the kicker on my inflatable dinghy. I also use it to power the Mac when I'm trolling for salmon, using a downrigger. I...
by Chinook
Sun Feb 25, 2024 7:40 pm
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Bahamas 2025 Planning
Replies: 13
Views: 744

Re: Bahamas 2025 Planning

Regarding anchor size, something in the 10 kg size is definitely advisable. The winds can really get strong down in the Bahamas, and the islands are very low lying, so even in a protected cove, you can rarely find any shelter from the effects of wind. Also, many of the anchorages are more line roads...
by Chinook
Thu Feb 22, 2024 9:30 am
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Bahamas 2025 Planning
Replies: 13
Views: 744

Re: Bahamas 2025 Planning

My thoughts regarding current equipment and possible improvements: Current equipment - Your preparations are impressive, and will serve well on the trip. Full cockpit enclosure, 100 watts of flexible solar, dual axle trailer, new sails, main and kicker outboards, water system, electrical and frig ar...
by Chinook
Wed Feb 21, 2024 2:47 pm
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Bahamas 2025 Planning
Replies: 13
Views: 744

Re: Bahamas 2025 Planning

Hi Starscream, Your Bahamas plans sound exciting, and bring back fond memories of cruising those waters. Just a few preliminary thoughts. First off, with just 6 weeks available for the trip, including trailering from Montreal to Florida and back, I'm thinking that hopes of cruising the Exumas might ...
by Chinook
Wed Feb 21, 2024 2:22 pm
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Bahamas 2025 Planning
Replies: 13
Views: 744

Re: Bahamas 2025 Planning

Hi All, Not to worry, Chinook crew (Mike and Sandy) are alive and well, and our boat is in service. No big trips since the Vancouver Island circumnavigation in 2019, and as you've noticed, I haven't been on this site for some time. My son maintained the blog site, but we opted to let it go a while b...
by Chinook
Sun Apr 24, 2022 7:25 pm
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Birdwatchers?
Replies: 34
Views: 6396

Re: Birdwatchers?

Been having such a good time looking for cool birds down here in Texas that I completely forgot about checking in. We've been on the road for over a month now. We've driven more than 4000 miles, and nearly half of that has been in Texas. Big place. Birding has been great. We saw condors in Californi...
by Chinook
Wed Mar 16, 2022 9:55 am
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Birdwatchers?
Replies: 34
Views: 6396

Birdwatchers?

Several months ago, we signed up for a spring birdwatching tour. This will be a road trip in truck and camper, rather than involving the boat. Our target destination is the Upper Gulf Coast of Texas, to catch the spring migration. Many midwest and eastern songbirds migrate from Mexico and Central Me...
by Chinook
Mon Jan 31, 2022 7:46 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Zodiac 270 vs 310 on foredeck
Replies: 29
Views: 14438

Re: Zodiac 270 vs 310 on foredeck

Regarding the trolling motor option, the battery creates several issues. Conventional deep cycle lead acid batteries are heavy, slow to recharge, and the power drops off when at half charge or more. Also, that acid part can be really nasty when operating in the cramped quarters of a small dinghy. Li...
by Chinook
Sun Jan 30, 2022 10:17 pm
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Video: 1 Week Trip to Georgian Bay 26M
Replies: 15
Views: 10448

Re: Video: 1 Week Trip to Georgian Bay 26M

One good place to put in is at Killarney. Outstanding cruising waters in the immediate vicinity, including the very beautiful and not to be missed Baye Finne, a highly scenic fjord. Very famous fish and chips place on the waterfront in Killarney. The mountains to the north are made of pure white qua...
by Chinook
Sun Jan 30, 2022 7:04 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Zodiac 270 vs 310 on foredeck
Replies: 29
Views: 14438

Re: Zodiac 270 vs 310 on foredeck

My 2.5hp 4 stroke Suzuki kicker weighs just 28 lbs, and is quite manageable for me to life off its retractable motor mount and onto my inflatable dinghy. This can be a tricky operation, especially when there is a bit of a chop or swell. Basic laws of physics, involving action and reaction come into ...
by Chinook
Fri Jan 28, 2022 9:56 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: What type of material / liner is this ?
Replies: 6
Views: 619

Re: What type of material / liner is this ?

It's been a few years since I painted. Still looks like new. I can't remember specifics of the paint. An RV store put me onto it, when I wanted to refinish the aluminum siding of my pickup camper. It was oil based, rather thick, and never peeled. I just did a quick search for one part epoxy paint, a...
by Chinook
Fri Jan 28, 2022 11:15 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Great Loop on a 26X?
Replies: 41
Views: 3828

Re: Great Loop on a 26X?

Yes, I did adapt a bracket so I could rotate the antenna to its normal vertical orientation. It worked well, and I was able to "see" tow boats around several bends on the Mississippi and well beyond visual range, and also speak with the boat captains. It's nice to know in advance which sid...
by Chinook
Thu Jan 27, 2022 5:41 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Great Loop on a 26X?
Replies: 41
Views: 3828

Re: Great Loop on a 26X?

We had our mast with us for our entire loop cruise. When I had to lower the mast (going down the Illinois River and while on the lock/canal waters up north), I pinned it to the bow railing, in the highway travel position. I didn't use the standard pedestal crutch, though, because that would have put...
by Chinook
Thu Jan 27, 2022 11:29 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: What type of material / liner is this ?
Replies: 6
Views: 619

Re: What type of material / liner is this ?

If you're wanting to cover places in the cabin which aren't finished with a nice glossy gelcoat, such as the underside of the sliding hatch cover and inside the head, I would suggest another option. I painted those chalky surfaces with a one part epoxy gloss white paint. Very close match to the whit...
by Chinook
Fri Jan 21, 2022 2:47 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Great Loop on a 26X?
Replies: 41
Views: 3828

Re: Great Loop on a 26X?

I don't know what a BUG prop is, so I can't comment on that. If you meant big prop, I'm equally out of my element. The prop pitch I used was based on trials with the engine, specifically what rpm I reached with a specific prop. One thing I highly recommend, and this goes for general use and not just...