Search found 278 matches

by JohnCFI
Wed Oct 23, 2013 11:58 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: On Our way Home from Key West
Replies: 32
Views: 11382

Re: On Our way Home from Key West

Never watch a compass, it stops you from reacting to the sea & wind influences.. during the day, pick a point, and steer towards it, perhaps a distant cloud, checking compass every few minutes and correct to a new point, at night pick a prominent star.... There is nearly always some distant obje...
by JohnCFI
Sat Oct 05, 2013 11:24 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: On Our way Home from Key West
Replies: 32
Views: 11382

Re: On Our way Home from Key West

We are safely docked at Turtle Cove marina , Tarpon Springs , Anclote River . We are waiting on Karen to get completely out of the Gulf before we continue north on the outside to Steinhatchee River . A friend and fellow :macx: liveaboard turned us onto Active Captain.com and it has proven to be inv...
by JohnCFI
Fri Oct 04, 2013 9:54 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: What is the most popular/Best auto pilot installed on 26X
Replies: 19
Views: 7246

Re: What is the most popular/Best auto pilot installed on 26

Russ, see my comment at 2, sadly I decided to replace the cable, I wish now I had gone hydraulic, many advantages and few cons by all accounts. I am probably going to revisit this after our summer season (starting now).... I will be keeping an eye on this post as I also would like an autopilot.. Any...
by JohnCFI
Fri Oct 04, 2013 7:25 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: What is the most popular/Best auto pilot installed on 26X
Replies: 19
Views: 7246

Re: What is the most popular/Best auto pilot installed on 26

Thanks for the great info guys !! I thought about Hydraulic steering, but seems like that is just something else for a battery drain right? Dont you need a pump to keep the system operational? If you lose power you lose steering? Am I right about that? Stan Not at all, the Baystar kit (I was also l...
by JohnCFI
Wed Oct 02, 2013 2:10 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: What is the most popular/Best auto pilot installed on 26X
Replies: 19
Views: 7246

Re: What is the most popular/Best auto pilot installed on 26

Having recently replaced the steering on my 98 :macx: if I had to do it again I would install a hydraulic system instead of another cable..
by JohnCFI
Mon Sep 30, 2013 4:12 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: The "new to me 26x" mod plans
Replies: 25
Views: 5075

Re: The "new to me 26x" mod plans

This is a report into two fatalities on a boat in the UK as a result of CO2 Poisoning from a portable Generator

http://www.maib.gov.uk/publications/inv ... er_two.cfm
by JohnCFI
Sun Sep 29, 2013 11:00 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: Where to mount VHF
Replies: 33
Views: 9998

Re: Where to mount VHF

ISS Works on VHF, which does penetrate the Ionosphere, the normal HF frequencies are not used..
by JohnCFI
Wed Sep 25, 2013 4:14 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: Where to mount VHF
Replies: 33
Views: 9998

Re: Where to mount VHF

I have the Standard Horizon 2100, which also has AIS. I mounted the base over the table on my :macx: where I also have my backup GPS fitted plus a few other bits. That gives good access from the cabin, I then fitted the CM30 remote station on the Pedestal, that can be unplugged just leaving a socket...
by JohnCFI
Tue Sep 24, 2013 4:16 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: How to take my Husky onboard ...
Replies: 25
Views: 9721

Re: How to take my Husky onboard ...

Tony E. If you went stern to the beach, you would drop an anchor some way off the beach, and that should stop you going up the beach, and even help you to pull out. As for the ladder idea, I am thinking that I will start with one of those really light DIY aluminium ladders about 10-12 feet long, and...
by JohnCFI
Tue Sep 24, 2013 3:54 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: 26X Fitting a Liferaft
Replies: 15
Views: 5179

Re: 26X Fitting a Liferaft

And buying a 15 HP would be quite a saving against a 25HP. Thanks for that useful advice. :)
by JohnCFI
Mon Sep 23, 2013 10:09 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: 26X Fitting a Liferaft
Replies: 15
Views: 5179

Re: 26X Fitting a Liferaft

Thinking back to when I changed the steering Teleflex cable, I wish now I had stumped up the extra to go hydraulic. Although I think the cable I put in (13 feet) is probably long enough to go to the Starboard side. At the moments it's just a thought, gotta see how the season goes.... A pipe dream is...
by JohnCFI
Mon Sep 23, 2013 9:15 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: How to take my Husky onboard ...
Replies: 25
Views: 9721

Re: How to take my Husky onboard ...

Thank you for that, very detailed and clear.... certainly feeding my idea machine :)
by JohnCFI
Mon Sep 23, 2013 7:08 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: How to take my Husky onboard ...
Replies: 25
Views: 9721

Re: How to take my Husky onboard ...

K9Kampers wrote:I fabricated a transom plank for the pups to board the dinghy & to be able to climb out of the water from swimming. Only use it at anchor and it stows easily below...
I love that, how does it fix and how does it float?? please...
by JohnCFI
Mon Sep 23, 2013 6:59 am
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: How to take my Husky onboard ...
Replies: 25
Views: 9721

Re: How to take my Husky onboard ...

It would be better if you could get the boat stern-on rather than bow-on to the beach/landing, kind of Mediterranean mooring style. Then you could do a mod to the boarding ladder/stern. I have never beached the boat though so cannot comment on how hard that is to achieve. At anchor our Labrador, wil...
by JohnCFI
Sun Sep 22, 2013 5:00 pm
Forum: Repairs and Modifications
Topic: 26X Fitting a Liferaft
Replies: 15
Views: 5179

Re: 26X Fitting a Liferaft

In my 3year cruise from Cape Cod tru Carribean and South America . I had a Avon 4 passanger life raft that I never used. Question is why would you want one on a coastal cruiser? A inflatable would do same at much less cost and you can use it as a dink. Dave The Idea of a life-raft is not to plan to...