Dive platform

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
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SKIPPER2C
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Dive platform

Post by SKIPPER2C »

I do bring the rudders up in shalom water , as the manual intend. Rudders works fine just needs managing.
When i started the mod, i had to make a decision.
1) to change the rudder to sum-thing like the HAKE yachts have.
2) or change the steering system to a power steering. 1pump and 2 outlets with valves so the motor and rudders who'd work on its own. ( still have to do it)
Seems doable. In the meantime i enjoy it tremendously and the dive platform makes so a big improvement that i will do whatever it takes to get the rudders to work 110%.
Would need all the advice i could get. PLEASE ???? :?:
:idea: Maybe extend the hull with fiberglass ,with the dive platform as support and move the rubbers to the end.

Renier
From the best waters to scuba dive in the world. 8) Reefs untouched and still wild . Somalian Pirates scare luters . :evil: MOZAMBIQUE

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Last edited by Catigale on Thu Aug 30, 2012 2:27 am, edited 2 times in total.
Reason: Repair image link
DaveC426913
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by DaveC426913 »

I was toying with the idea of a dive platform too. My vision is a smooth arc that goes from side-to-side - made out of teak - that covers all the hoses and struts for the motor and steering.

Unfortunately, my nice smooth curve would be spoiled. I'd have to have large cutouts for the rudder and motor swing, leaving virtually nothing left.

Let me know how it works out.
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FinallySailing
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by FinallySailing »

SKIPPER2C wrote:I do bring the rudders up in shalom water , as the manual intend ... From the best waters to scuba dive in the world. 8) Reefs untouched and still wild . Somalian Pirates scare luters . :evil: MOZAMBIQUE

Image
Best shalom waters are off Tel Aviv ! :D :D :D Beautiful pictures !!! I don't know if I was more scared of the Somali pirates or the Crocs in the water, though :? :wink:
flyboy26m
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by flyboy26m »

You are an inspiration!

Does the motor still tilt up.

Flyboy26m
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by flyboy26m »

I now see it does, Very cool.
Flyboy26m

flyboy26m wrote:You are an inspiration!

Does the motor still tilt up.

Flyboy26m
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SKIPPER2C
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by SKIPPER2C »

Thanx for the nice remarks.
I have decided to use it as is , till something brakes and then i will make change .( Do not fix it if its not broken :!: ) The rudders rope however i changes to elastic rope ( is that what u cal it :?: ) hope it will last.
Renier
From Sunny South Africa all year round. 8) :wink:
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FinallySailing
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by FinallySailing »

Please, Renier, keep us updated about your exciting adventures ! :D :D :D
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Catigale
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by Catigale »

Best shalom waters are off Tel Aviv !
LOL !!

Brooklyn is pretty good too.... :D :D :D
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Highlander
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by Highlander »

Catigale wrote:
Best shalom waters are off Tel Aviv !
LOL !!

Brooklyn is pretty good too.... :D :D :D
Yeh Right so is the Thames River :D :D :D

J 8)
I'm told the Whirlpool down by the Fall's can be interesting !! :) & around & around we gooooo !

J 8)
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mastreb
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by mastreb »

Frankly there's no particular reason why the rudders need to come up farther than you've got them. They're above the hull so they aren't going to catch on anything nor will they drag on the highway.

They weigh a bit more because having them straight back increases the lever arm weight, so you might consider tying them to your swim ladder with a piece of 3/16 rope when you trailer, but I see no practical need for a mod and while it looks a bit odd to someone whose familiar with Macs, anybody else would just figure that's stock operation.

I say don't worry about it and enjoy your swim platform.

Google "BayStar" and search Crikey's hydraulic mod on this forum for an inexpensive way to add hydraulic steering. I really like the idea of valving between the motor and the rudders. Crikey--Do this and let me know how it works. 8)
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SKIPPER2C
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by SKIPPER2C »

Thanx for the tip. Crikey's hydraulic mod is watt i was looking for.

Steering in shallow water with the OB, and the rudders up , the rudders drag makes steering slow and i presume if the rudders are loos it will have less influence. But all and all still manageable.
Will do the mod July. :) Preparing for a 10 day dive and fishing trip at MOZAMBIQUE. Still have to connect a gas geyser for a shower to the 150 liter water tanks. (As per mod on the forum) Cold water in winter is no joke :(

I do appreciate the forum and helpful people for all the good advice and bearing with my english . Make live so much easy-er and save time by doing mods 1 time right.

Renier ( Thank u JESUS for giving us this awesome live.)

Live without the versatility of a modified MacGregor must be so empty.

https://maps.google.co.za/maps?hl=en&q= ... &ved=0CB0Q
http://www.go2africa.com/mozambique/afr ... xperiences
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mastreb
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by mastreb »

Actually, Crikey pointed out to me in a PM that separating the rudders and the motor with a hydraulic valve and two actuators will make it nearly impossible to correctly re-align them while underway. Where-ever you leave one, you'd have to have a way to make sure you could get the other back to aligned. Also, you could "lock" the motor in the wrong position while it was down. The only way to avoid this would be to never have both the motor and the rudders in the water at the same time, which would be a serious loss of control while motoring under hull speed. Without some complicated recentering mechanism this would not be advisable.
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SKIPPER2C
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by SKIPPER2C »

Yes Sir, it cross my mined. The 5 or 6 times i went out i was once, in the shallow, in a situation where i needed the motor to be quick (is that the word) in a tight spot, but then it is crucial. Do not need it allot.

I argued that if i would turn to, lets say to starboard and connect or turn back to starboard to disconnect it may work.(make it a rule). Never had a hydraulic system so do not rely no.( that is why your input is so valuable to me) I always disconnect the OB, makes it easier on the auto pilot , and connect in the shallow. Do u think it could work or must i start a new thought process :?:

Renier
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SKIPPER2C
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Re: Dive platforme

Post by SKIPPER2C »

DaveC426913 wrote:I was toying with the idea of a dive platform too. My vision is a smooth arc that goes from side-to-side - made out of teak - that covers all the hoses and struts for the motor and steering.

Unfortunately, my nice smooth curve would be spoiled. I'd have to have large cutouts for the rudder and motor swing, leaving virtually nothing left.

Let me know how it works out.
DaveC426913l

It helped a lot to move the OB back by 300mm. http://www.macgregorsailors.com/modt/in ... ?view=1606

I hope i solved the rudder problem. It seems to me that if i move the end of the steering cable to the top of the well and improvise a metherd to connect and re-connect the rudders or/and the OB , it might be unnecessary to change to a hydraulic system .

Renier
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SKIPPER2C
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Re: Dive platform

Post by SKIPPER2C »

Hi
Still toying with the idea to attache a "sugar-scoop" to the dive platform and stow the fuel tanks under the dive platform. A boat builder told me that if i move the rudders to the end of the dive platform / sugar-scoop it will affect the sailing performance of the :macm: negative. Do u think it will be the case and if so will there be a big difference ,and why. Any advise will be much appreciate .
Image

Thanks to all.
Renier
 ! kmclemore:
Fixed picture.
Last edited by SKIPPER2C on Wed Aug 29, 2012 7:22 am, edited 1 time in total.
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