MacGregorSailors.com

same as the bow rail.

--john

I think you can find a proper ritual on the internet for changing a boat's name. But it does require some rum.

--john

I've just completed the annual ritual of cleaning halyards, sheets, and docklines. My docklines, three strand of course, get pretty stiff after a couple years of exposure, marinating in the lake, etc. Are there any methods for restoring their original softness and flexibility? Or am I a victim of my...

I guess I have some trailer work to add to my winter projects.

Thanks.

--john

An interesting tidbit. I have been doing this with the winch strap tight. Very tight. Maybe working against me.

Next week is take-out day, so I'll try this.

Thanks.

--john

We were able to put our boat back in last weekend, after being out for six weeks due to local flooding. When we hoisted the genoa on the CDI FF2, the clew was about 6 inches too low and left the sail a little baggy at the bottom. After a few minutes of puzzlement, I realized that I had tied on to th...

I tried the method of dropping the tongue, bracing the stern, and jacking up the tongue. I lost faith before I got it high enough to pull the keel. so I gave a local tow truck $100 to hoist the boat on slings so we could drop the keel (a little more safely).

--john

tie a messenger line to the end of your halyard, so you can pull it to hoist the sail. The halyard is about the length of the forestay, not double the length.


--john

it's a deck wire connector. figure out the brand, if you want. But I bet a little measuring will arm you to buy a plastic cap to screw on.
--john

We had to pull our 26s out a couple weeks ago because of flooding at our lake, and of course the boat didn't get all the way on the trailer. We gave it a few bumps and got it closer to the V, but it was still a couple inches short by the time we got home. I wrapped a lifting strap around the transom...

I can't believe I haven't seen that article before. Thank you for posting it.

No surprises, but a nice affirmation of the 100 little things I think about from time to time.

--john

Someone here recommended a company a couple years ago called "cable rigging." But I can't find it now.

If you know the company (in florida, I think), please repost the info. I need a new backstay

--john

My humble lake in south central nebraska has filled to the point that boating is not possible. I never anticipated this, in a region where water is so precious and rare. The reservoir is 30% into the flood pool, and rising. We had to take our boat out (probably for the year) last night, because our ...

The luff is tensioned enough. I have a boom vang, used mostly for down wind, but have not employed the cunningham. (sail and mast are rigged; captain has been too lazy to go forward). The backstay is not adjustable while underway, but the connection at the chainplate has multiple holes so I can chan...

Thanks.

Wow. That should have been obvious.

--john