I'm reading everyone's replies and still didn't answer his question. I use a high volume inflator to drain my ballast tank at the dock sometimes and the key is to put a rubber bushing on the blower nozzle so it creates a good seal on your air vent (if you don't have the hose extension) and Only open...

Hello! You're devised system sounds good but here are a few points that I have learned from experience (the hard way). First, your main will never conk out at a "good" time....It's always when menouvering in a tight harbor, avoiding giant ships, in heavy current, etc. I was in Victoria BC,...

Use what are called "Baby Stays". That's probably what your hardware on deck is for. They are even with the mast so they stay the same length throughout the raising process, work great. I keep mine attached all the time.

JT

I always use non ethanol fuel ..... if u don't have a place close to you like in my case where i live now .... I have to make my own non ethanol fuel.... it's actually super simple to do and requires very little expenses or time .... in essence you will have to order a clear plastic 5 gal jug with ...

I'd love to buy these from you if nobody has dibs yet. I was just thinking about re upholstering this spring.

JT

I currently use a topping lift from the mast, don't even unhook it always when I've got the main up. I like that because when under power or at the dock, I swing the boom to one side or the other and connect the mainsheet to the side stanchion to keep it out of the way, out of my line of sight, and ...

I bought one for BWY a few years ago and have never gotten around to installing it. Those of you that have one....do you recommend it? Has it made life much easier?

JT

One more thing I'd like to add to the motor size discussion....with a good 50HP 4 stroke, the charging system will top off those batteries a lot quicker than a small magneto charger on the lil' kickers....just my two cents worth.

JT

I'll be leaving out of Anacortes with my Mac X that same time for a tour around the San Juans and Gulf Islands. Maybe I'll see you there

I use a little 4HP Yamaha 2 stroke mounted to a tilt trolling bracket on the back of my X. It's nice to be able to lower the bracket to transfer the motor to the dinghy when needed and can be used to push the X if loss of main engine. Mine will push the boat, fully loaded for cruising, around 5 knot...

I have a kicker motor mount on my Mac X and I keep my dinghy motor on it. It makes it easy to lower to near the same level as the inflatable to transfer it over when needed. I had a water pump go out in my 50hp and so just lowered the kicker and motored back to port. Keep in mind, my lil kicker is a...

I have totally eliminated that problem with my Mac X using an M style pole. I simply use an oversized carabiner to clip the furler spool to the line running from my gin pole down to the front cleat. It automatically slides down the line as the mast is raised, keeps it totally off the deck/windows, a...

I'm all about this one from Pegasus....they work awesome and are made locally by a good buddy of mine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tzTOjitUkyg

And they're made for the Mac M in mind.

JT

Don't bother with that Harbor Freight pulley hoist....the rope is 1/4" nylon....they're made for hoisting a baby bamby at most. Use your boom vang or main sheet in a pinch (I use my main halyard run aft to the winch). I keep about 100 feet of nylon tubular webbing on board at all times to make ...

I really enjoyed reading this thread....you did an amazing job! I would like to pose a question to the group though. It sounds like everyone that has responded is planning on practicing some scenarios, at least I hope they do. My question is this....Has anyone ever thought about what they would do i...