Search found 436 matches

by Newell
Tue Jan 02, 2024 2:20 pm
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Racing my 26S (continued)
Replies: 49
Views: 12763

Re: Racing my 26S (continued)

Enjoyed your racing write-ups. I have always loved the racing part of sailing more than I should. Just took a 1st in a 9 boat open field with my 26D. I flew a BWY Liteskin Genny, built with hanks to maximum length of 26X forestay. I am singlehanded and use no winches. Sheets from Clue to camcleat on...
by Newell
Fri Feb 10, 2023 9:07 pm
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Strategy for downwind leg
Replies: 25
Views: 5091

Re: Strategy for downwind leg

AFAICT the speed difference between the D and S is the 'wetted surface". When the CB drops on the S it opens cavities infront and back of the board. More surface, more drag.
by Newell
Sun Feb 05, 2023 7:51 pm
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Strategy for downwind leg
Replies: 25
Views: 5091

Re: Strategy for downwind leg

Just catching up on this post. "If you are a numbers guy, forget about the PHRF ratings. The Mac S/D will never sail to those numbers. The 26 S/D, Catalina 250 WB, and Hunter 260 are all water-ballasted boats and have almost identical PHRFs. The Catalina will be the fastest due to its masthead ...
by Newell
Fri Sep 16, 2022 12:48 pm
Forum: Destinations, Clubs, Events and Venues
Topic: Racing my 26S (continued)
Replies: 49
Views: 12763

Re: First formal race with my 26S. NAILED IT!

Have you encountered any Mac D models in your races. Just bought a cheap S, hadn't thought of racing it, since my D seems the better racer by PHRF.
by Newell
Fri Sep 16, 2022 12:25 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Dimensions spreaders
Replies: 15
Views: 6239

Re: Dimensions spreaders

Spreader length and wall thickness has been discussed ad nauseam. My 96 X stock spreaders fell off, simultaneously, when lowering the mast many years ago after several days of high winds on Lake Mead, NV. Roger replaced and I have replaced and shortened them twice since then. The shorter spreaders s...
by Newell
Tue May 17, 2022 10:56 am
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Best sailing speed
Replies: 70
Views: 14488

Re: Best sailing speed

Were you fighting weather helm at the wheel? I know I do, now not as much since moving mast forward. Turnbuckle is at max length. My new tough skin genny is larger than the stock 150 measurements.
by Newell
Sat Mar 26, 2022 1:22 pm
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Best sailing speed
Replies: 70
Views: 14488

Re: Best sailing speed

Haven't had furlers on my X or D for years and learned how to both finish the mast raise and tighten enough to pin the forestay. I run a tight rig so I understand your dilemma. I use jib halyard to the top hole of forestay tang, then through the winch for tightening. You could add a jib halyard eith...
by Newell
Fri Oct 22, 2021 9:00 am
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Lake Mead is almost gone
Replies: 15
Views: 1657

Re: Lake Mead is almost gone

Just heard the West is going to have a 'wetter' year. I hope that is true, GSl, Powell and Mead were some of my favs, now gone to me. :evil: :macx:
by Newell
Thu Apr 29, 2021 9:47 am
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Best sailing speed
Replies: 70
Views: 14488

Re: Best sailing speed

I race Fast Sunday 96X every 3rd Saturday each month South Bay San Diego. Last race sustained winds 11-14 knots hit speeds up to 6.4 knots and long periods over 6. This was with new 150 hanked Genoa, Toughskin, it's taller than any furled genny. 15 boats racing, I'm 3rd smallest, started 1st finishe...
by Newell
Thu Mar 04, 2021 1:22 pm
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Best sailing speed
Replies: 70
Views: 14488

Re: Best sailing speed

Never mind the top speed how did you go pointing into the wind with the hanked genoa? ... Lower point-to-point travel times (progress) is where the real speed comes from Don't know if you are asking about how long it takes to tack or what tacking angles achieved. Close hauled I can do 110 average, R...
by Newell
Tue Mar 02, 2021 2:50 pm
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Best sailing speed
Replies: 70
Views: 14488

Re: Best sailing speed

96 26X full ballast, much weight forward, mast 2-3 D back from vertical, Hyde Main, Doyle hanked genoa, wind 10 - 18 knots, reaching, hitting 6.1 to 6.3 knots GPS twice in last 2 weeks on South Bay, San Diego. Always looking for another X to compare my improvements. This is my best upwind performanc...
by Newell
Wed Dec 23, 2020 7:22 pm
Forum: Performance & Tuning
Topic: Bending the mast
Replies: 17
Views: 6684

Re: Bending the mast

"Doesn’t that also make the luff looser? "
Seems obvious but the Luff isn't a straight edge as I understand. It is cut in a curve, so bending the mast flattens the sail, as the mast takes on the same curve as the Luff. I might be full of ---- on this but give it a nod. :| :macx:
by Newell
Tue Dec 22, 2020 9:25 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Mainsail swap... 26D to 26X
Replies: 6
Views: 1754

Re: Mainsail swap... 26D to 26X

The gooseneck connections are different on each boat so I may need to modify the connection. Sadly, winter has moved into NW PA and there is no sailing here until Spring. I didn't get tarps on before the first snow. [url=https:// Thanks for the reminder, I remember changing the gooseneck fittings n...
by Newell
Tue Dec 08, 2020 6:38 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Mainsail swap... 26D to 26X
Replies: 6
Views: 1754

Re: Mainsail swap... 26D to 26X

I purchased from Judy B a 26X mainsail that I have used on both my boats: 1989 26D Windancer and 1996 26X Fast Sunday. Booms are both stock length with the same fittings, I roll the mainsail onto each boom, cover and store when trailering. Since I can only sail one at a time I haven't used the Doyle...
by Newell
Mon Dec 07, 2020 3:06 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Another Wind system for rotating mast
Replies: 8
Views: 2213

Re: Another Wind system for rotating mast

Ordered a Garmin GNX system. Don't have a rotating mast so should work on my X. 30 day return and will give it a try and post results. :macx: