Downsizing

[curtiss]

I just wanted to say hello to everyone and tell you that I think the MacGregor Sailors site is fantastic. A little of my background as a way of introduction. I come from a larger boat perception. I left from California in 1986 on a 37 ft full keel double ended cruising sailboat and returned to California in 1999 after seven years of sailing around the world and living/working on an island in the South Pacific for six years. I lost my first boat in a hurricane while living ashore in American Samoa and finished the last five years in a 43 foot sailboat purchased in New Zealand. We returned to California to get the kids through high school and college. We had a ten year plan that had us buying another boat in 2009 and going cruising again. The recession thumped us badly and we started to look for alternatives to the larger more expensive boats. I stumbled across the MacGregor and became fascinated with the idea of the shallow draft, trailer-ability and I admit it-- the speed of getting around.

We bought our 2009 Mac in May and I have been converting her into a pocket cruiser that we can live aboard for weeks to months at a time. The mods section of this site has been invaluable to me. I plan to publish my mods with pictures as soon as I figure out how and take pictures to show. I want to give back to the group because believe me I have learned so much from a lot of you talented folks. Some of the things I have already done is; house bank of batteries(200 amp hrs), propane tank mounted on stern, propane stove with solenoid valve, water bladder under the rear bunk, multiple storage cabinets, counter extension/cockpit table, 12 volt refrigeration, solar panels and pump out system for head.

We have taken her on a shake down cruise to the San Juan Islands for two weeks. I towed her behind a Ford Explorer from Sacaramento, CA to Anacortes, WA and and returned for a total of about 1750 miles. The trip went very well except for a steering problem. I had to motor back to our anchorage while steering the outboard motor with a combination of my feet and a line lashed to motor. I have some lessons learned from the experience that I will post in the future.

So far I have limited sailing experience with the Mac; lack of wind in the San Juan's but I love the way she motors. My impressions so far; I am adding another axle to the trailer, love the shallow water capability, launching has been no problem, for the size of the boat she is very comfortable for my wife and me, lots of people think she is a nice looking boat, she is fun, going out for one day is way too much work, and I added the back stay offered from Arena Yachts and am glad.

I am getting the boat ready for a month cruise in the Sea of Cortes this Spring. The long term plan is to Cruise the Florida Keys, back to the Pacific Northwest, Nova Scotia and the Chesapeake Bay. That should keep us busy for a couple of year and then who knows. I am not good a writing but I will try to keep giving feedback on what works and what doesn't. Also some of you might be interested in the contrast between traveling on a cruising sailboat and a cruising trailer-able sailboat/RV. We plan to use the Mac like a travel trailer as we explore the good ole USA.

Again I thank all of you for your ideas, pictures and advise.

Curtiss

[Bumpcity]

Hi Curtiss,

Welcome to the site! I am also from the bay area (north of the bay that is...Santa Rosa) and find your story very interesting and inspiring regarding the downsize and your plans to travel around the US with your Mac. I am curious to hear your opinion on the sailing abilities of the Mac in relation to your full Keel boat. I know that there is a huge difference, however, I would like to hear what you have to say since you have a vast amount of experience with cruising and blue water sailing.

I am getting ready to retire in a couple of years and want to do exactly what you are planning to do. I look forward to seeing your mods as well. Take care,

Lorenzo

[Uncle Jim]

Welcome Aboard Curtis,

Make sure you let us all know when you're in a new area sp we can all meet up. There are Macs just about everywhere.

Jim

[David Clarke]

Curtiss,
I'm looking forward to your future posts and showing off the mods you have done. I'd like to be doing what you have planned one day, it's just not that day for me yet. Keep sharing with the site. I'll bet there are many others that are interested too. Best Wishes and Good Luck with your next adventure. David

[Harry van der Meer]

Good to hear from you Curtiss. We all dream about upgrading to a larger sailboat and cruise beyond the horizon. You are showing us that the Mac offers so many things that are not possible with a larger boat. I towed my X for many years with a 97 Explorer 5.0V8. Since the last two years I have been towing with a GMC Yukon SLT. I have to admit that the heavier vehicle makes a lot of difference. I also hope to install a second axle next year as I am planning longer driving distances. I have also used my X as a travel trailer, overnighting at campgrounds. Works very well, receiving lot of interesting comments. Have fun. Harry

[TexasDan40]

Curtiss,
Welcome aboard. I've had my since July this year. Wish I had time to sail for weeks/months....envy
Looking forward to hearing from you on the forums given your blue-water experience.

thanks,
Te

[raycarlson]

Curtiss welcome aboard, and conrats onyour new boat.The mac i the perfect boat for te sea of cortez you'll love it down there.Drop me a line this spring when you come down maybe it will coincide with one of our trips, we've been going there fo over 30 years and can provide alot of useful info if you need any.also highly reccomend a second axle before towing on mexican roads one axle just isn't safe on a load that size on roads as narrow as youll be traversing.

[curtiss]

Harry,

The reason I am using the Explorer is that I already have it. It is a 4X4 with factory towing package. It has 98,000 miles on it and I have taken care of it. On the trip to Anacortes it was OK but I agree it was being used at the upper end of its capabilities. I figure since it is paid for and it is within its load range I will use it as long as I can and start looking for a beefier tow vehicle. Hopefully I can get a couple of good years out of it.

Curtiss

[bubba]

Welcome to our world of trailor sailers the M is the greatest for great adventures land or sea.Go for it.

[waternwaves]

....our world of trailor sailers the M is the greatest .....

maybe........might be an though

[Kelly Hanson East]

Welcome aboard Curtiss - its great to have some serious sailors aboard with some blue water experience!!

[KayakDan]

Curtiss,
I'm also looking forward to details on the mods you are doing,particularly the 12v fridge/solar panel setup. I am doing the same for my M,with the goal to go 3 weeks at a time, unsupported in the Bahamas. Your goal,however is lot more ambitious than mine!

[curtiss]

I have finally figured out how to add mods with pictures to the site. I have put the one on my solar panel first since there was interest in that. I will try to get the rest of mods up later this week. You will notice a lot of borrowing from others in most of my mods. What I really like about this site is the willingness to help and I certainly have taken advantage of your generosity.

Curtiss

[K9Kampers]

You will notice a lot of borrowing from others in most of my mods. What I really like about this site is the willingness to help and I certainly have taken advantage of your generosity.

Curtiss

Have you signed the Royalties & Recognition Disclosure Waiver?

[KayakDan]

Curtiss,thanks for posting those mods.I was set on an Engel 45 Fridge,but I will check yours out. Glad to hear that the 135w panel keeps up with thefridge. I figured that 2-65w panels would work,so it sounds like I'm on target.
Dan