sailing performances

[papysail]

Hi guys from Italy.
It's no easy to see boats like McGregor here around, since people is usually oriented to more traditional and performing sailing boats.
But there is something really interesting, according to me, in mixing
power and sail boating.
This doesn't exclude i'm interested into sailing performances: that's pleasure and safety; so who can talk to me about speed, close-hauled angles and so on ?
Thank you.

[DanBurke]

I too have the same questions and have been trying to get some answers from MacGregor owners for months now! This has me concerned as I am a prospective owner.

[Dullboy]

There are many here who have terrific experience in these boats. ( I am not one of them. Mine is new to me.)

Just ask the questions your looking to get answers on. These guys don't bite........much!

[Erete]

: : Hi - I've had my boat about a year. I find that I am somewhat dissatisfied with the sailing performance, especially upwind. I
just can't get the boat to point as high as I'd like, and sometimes have a hard time making any progress up wind, especially in high winds. I bought a 100 jib from BWY, and find that using the forward jib block track helps. I've also tried raising the center board to reduce weather helm.
My previous boat was San Juan 24, so perhaps my expectations are just
unrealistic.
Do you have any suggestions?

[Tom Spohn]

Tell us what boats you have and put your questions up. You will get lots of answers. Look on the memberlist and see if someone isn't near you with the boat you are interested in.

[waternwaves]

Erete, you dont say how high of winds, but if there is more than 20 to 25 degrees of heel, less sail will give better speed, amd will point higher for the X,

some adjust backstay tension when going tight upwind,

bring that boom back down......., and watch the blue hulled boats go by you slower//

I have even cheated and used sternrails to pull that boom in tighter..., since I have not figured out a way to mount a traveler I like.

[Erete]

I have a '98 26X, and sail out of Tacoma.
the stern rail trick is a good idea.

I find that in winds >15-20 knots, the high profile of the boat tends to push me backwards, overcoming whatever I'm doing with the sails! I have to double sheet the main and furl the jib alot to prevent overpowering the boat, and by doing so, I don't have enough sail area left to overcome the wind resistance of the hull!

[waternwaves]

If you use the sternrails like I do..... clamp your Tackle block low and close to the deck/gunwale....... and make sure it is a single tug to release.
Do not connect to any stanchion, brace or rail unless immediate release hardware is included and properly installed.. and yes, I manually clip and unclip between tacks

If I was smart, I would cut a stainless brace and clamps with quick release pins..to go between both sternrails across the cockpit and tighten it up. but then I would have to move the dink motor carrier.

It does push you tighter into the wind...but you have to be able to drop some sail also....

YMMV, and description of this by the author in no way is intended for application on any other boat in any other condition. no warranty is expressed or implied, nor fitness or merchantability for any particular purpose is intended.