Several questions about my Mac 26M

[bedouin]

Greetings everyone!

It been almost a year since I purchased my 2008 M26 with the fast blue hull!! I keep it at my neighbor's dock in our condo association. Pretty confident with sailing by myself in Tampa Bay Florida in "calm" winds. Have not put the rail in the water nor have I tried reefing. But I have come a long way since first trying to put up the mast and rigging (as I look back at my first posts here).

I have several questions and comments that I have been meaning to ask everyone here on this forum.

No special order just as they pop into my head.

1. Since I am in the water all year I have hookah gear so I can clean the bottom and I have it just for fun. In the last 4 or 5 weeks I am getting quite a bit of green algae growing on the sides. What is the recommended cleaning method, stiff brush? I am trying not to remove all the bottom coating as the previous owner put (as I was told) quite expensive coating on last year. When I did some light scraping last year I used a plastic putty knife from Home Depot.

2. Boom vang. I finally put mine on and went out for a sail. I really can't see what it is doing to the mainsail. What should I bee looking for?

3. What is everyone's feeling about lazy jack system vs. putting a bungee cord around the mainsail after it is down. I sail by myself 99% of the time (wife will not go out). Is it worth looking for a DIY kit (not for the wife)?

4. The same saltwater has been in the ballast for a year now.... wonder if the inside of the ballast is ok?

5. I have had this Tension Gauge in my Amazon cart for months now. Is this the one I want for the ? Loos Cableware PT-1 Tension Gauge for 3/32", 1/8" and 5/32" Cable Diameter, 800 Lbs. Maximum Measurement

6. I have a 2008 Evinrude etec 50hp. Should I put on a Fuel/Water Separator?

7. Where is everyone putting their depth sensor? I have Garmin 441 chartplotter and the depth sensor (looks like the heal of a shoe) is attached to a SS rod that is connected at one end to the ladder. When not in use it is folded up out of the water. When I am ready to use it, I fold it down (hinged) into the water and then clamp it to the ladder. Not very practical (came with the boat that way).

8. I want to put on the 150% genoa. Currently I have the jib on and I would like to change it out. I think there is less wind in the summer months. Trying to figure out the set up. I think there are some different cars for the tracks since the sail will come back further towards the cockpit??

9. Best 360 degree light for overnight? Next time I take down the mast I want to do this.

As soon as I post this I will think of other questions that I have been meaning to ask everyone.

I guess lastly, is anyone sailing in Tampa Bay? I work all week and usually go out on the weekends if it is not too windy!

TIA!

Matthew

[Russ]

1. Since I am in the water all year I have hookah gear so I can clean the bottom and I have it just for fun. In the last 4 or 5 weeks I am getting quite a bit of green algae growing on the sides. What is the recommended cleaning method, stiff brush? I am trying not to remove all the bottom coating as the previous owner put (as I was told) quite expensive coating on last year. When I did some light scraping last year I used a plastic putty knife from Home Depot.

I found a good stiff brush works well. I bought a siding brush and expandable pole to do most of it from the dock.

2. Boom vang. I finally put mine on and went out for a sail. I really can't see what it is doing to the mainsail. What should I bee looking for?

It keeps the boom from lifting UP and keeps the sail flat. This is especially prevalent downwind. I don't have one. Not critical in our floating barges in my opinion. When sailing downwind, the boom wants to life up and main will press against the spreaders. Vang helps prevent this.

3. What is everyone's feeling about lazy jack system vs. putting a bungee cord around the mainsail after it is down. I sail by myself 99% of the time (wife will not go out). Is it worth looking for a DIY kit (not for the wife)?

I have the bungee cord on the boom. Simple. Lazy Jacks are a good idea for some people. I may try it some time. These boats are pretty small and handling the main isn't a big deal for me. I'm essentially a solo sailor as my crew never go on deck.

4. The same saltwater has been in the ballast for a year now.... wonder if the inside of the ballast is ok?

Probably have several generations of micro-organisms in there. Dump it and refill. Won't hurt anything other than leave a nasty stink inside. I would drop a couple of chlorine tabs in there to burn off anything that grew.

5. I have had this Tension Gauge in my Amazon cart for months now. Is this the one I want for the ? Loos Cableware PT-1 Tension Gauge for 3/32", 1/8" and 5/32" Cable Diameter, 800 Lbs. Maximum Measurement

I'll defer to others. The rigging isn't rocket science and we don't own J-boats. Keep it all fairly tight without any slack and I think you would be good to go. But if you want to be anal about it, I guess a loos gauge is the way to go.

6. I have a 2008 Evinrude etec 50hp. Should I put on a Fuel/Water Separator?

It couldn't hurt. But if you run a lot of gas through the thing, I don't think this is necessary. That motor seems to be fairly resilient and can take a lot of junk. If you buy gas in sketchy places, more filtration is a good thing.

7. Where is everyone putting their depth sensor? I have Garmin 441 chartplotter and the depth sensor (looks like the heal of a shoe) is attached to a SS rod that is connected at one end to the ladder. When not in use it is folded up out of the water. When I am ready to use it, I fold it down (hinged) into the water and then clamp it to the ladder. Not very practical (came with the boat that way).

Mine is mounted on the transom. It's made for that kind of mount and measures water temp.
If I had a pure transducer, I would mount it INSIDE the hull in a base of silicone caulk. I've mounted many this way. Just cut out a cup or plastic bowl and place it in a location without ballast (like under the steps or aft bunk) and pump the tube of caulk into the bottomless bowl and mash the transducer into the caulk. Works like a charm and no holes in the boat. Do a search on this in the forum. Lots of ideas.

8. I want to put on the 150% genoa. Currently I have the jib on and I would like to change it out. I think there is less wind in the summer months. Trying to figure out the set up. I think there are some different cars for the tracks since the sail will come back further towards the cockpit??

Yep. The 150 needs the sheets way back. Different angle. I have a cam cleat on the track. Works well. Honestly, when the wind is light, this boat doesn't sail at all. I may go back to the 110 jib.

9. Best 360 degree light for overnight? Next time I take down the mast I want to do this.

Lots of solutions. LED is a must. I bought one for cheap and it sips juice. MUCH better than any incandescent bulb.

As soon as I post this I will think of other questions that I have been meaning to ask everyone.

Keep 'em coming. This forum is great for ideas and advise.

I guess lastly, is anyone sailing in Tampa Bay? I work all week and usually go out on the weekends if it is not too windy!

TIA!

I'm sure there are. Lucky Floridians who can sail all year long.

--Russ

[NiceAft]

I think there are some different cars for the tracks since the sail will come back further towards the cockpit??

Bill's EzyCleats work well with the 150 Genoa. With EzyCleats, the genoa sheets go all the way aft so they are easily accessible from the captains seat while sitting.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =8&t=16362
Ray

[bedouin]

Thank you for the replies. I'll need to digest them a bit and may have some more questions.

I of course thought of another question after I posted.

When I change out my jib to the 150, I am a little paranoid about having only one line holding up my mast. I think I have seen somewhere on this forum that someone put a second line. Again I am probably over thinking this.

How about changing out pins or things I need to look for that may be wearing out. I just had my mainsheet pin fall out (somehow in the heavy winds we have had here for weeks now) on my Precision 23.

TIA... again.

Matthew

[Russ]

Thank you for the replies. I'll need to digest them a bit and may have some more questions.

I of course thought of another question after I posted.

When I change out my jib to the 150, I am a little paranoid about having only one line holding up my mast. I think I have seen somewhere on this forum that someone put a second line. Again I am probably over thinking this.

How about changing out pins or things I need to look for that may be wearing out. I just had my mainsheet pin fall out (somehow in the heavy winds we have had here for weeks now) on my Precision 23.

TIA... again.

Matthew

I never felt good about that thin forestay holding stuff up. You can upgrade from BWY to a heavier one.
I installed another tang above the existing one and ran another "safety" line to the bow pulpit. Not very elegant, but makes me feel safer.

Here's a thread on the aft cam cleats for the genoa. It's what I use and they work great.
Buy them here http://garhauermarine.com/catalog_process.cfm?cid=37
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... 24&start=0

[NiceAft]

Here is a photo of Bill's EZ cleats. I don't know of anyone who has them who does not love them. Also, Bill is a long time supporter of this site, a Mac dealer, and I think a Tatoo dealer.

His product is solid, dependable, and affordable.



PHOTO CREDIT TO MATT (My Time)

[Russ]

Here is a photo of Bill's EZ cleats. I don't know of anyone who has them who does not love them. Also, Bill is a long time supporter of this site, a Mac dealer, and I think a Tatoo dealer.

His product is solid, dependable, and affordable.



PHOTO CREDIT TO MATT (My Time)

Yea, Bill is a great dealer and stands behind his products.
$100 a set is a good deal.
http://www.boats4sail.info/parts-1.html

[bedouin]

I am ordering a HD forstay line from BWY today.

Anyone have a reasonable price on a 360 LED mooring light?

Would like to do everything at once when I take down the mast.

Also, I have a Macgregor roller furler, I looks like I need to have it off the mast to replace the jib with the genny??

Are there directions somewhere?

TIA

Matthew

[Tomfoolery]

No specific recommendation, but a number of folks here have put up LED anchor lights. Just make sure it's 2-mile visibility or more, and USCG approved.

[Russ]

I am ordering a HD forstay line from BWY today.

Anyone have a reasonable price on a 360 LED mooring light?

Would like to do everything at once when I take down the mast.

Also, I have a Macgregor roller furler, I looks like I need to have it off the mast to replace the jib with the genny??

Are there directions somewhere?

TIA

Matthew

I don't know if you have to take it off (although you will be replacing the forestay) to change sails. But probably need the mast down. Just slide it out of the track and take note how it's attached.

Here's an inexpensive LED anchor light
http://www.amazon.com/Seasense-Led-Mast ... chor+light

While you are working on the mast, you should install a VHF antenna if you don't have one there already. Run a pull string down the mast for wires and in the future.
The M has foam flotation in the end of the mast. You may have to "drill" through that stuff.

Here is a thread showing how I pulled my VHF cable
http://macgregorsailors.com/forum/viewt ... a&start=45

Others have needed to drill a hole using PVC pipe as a bit.

--Russ

[Tomfoolery]

Here's an inexpensive LED anchor light
http://www.amazon.com/Seasense-Led-Mast ... chor+light

Wow, that's a good price for a 2NM LED anchor light.

[Whipsyjac]

You can search the forum for changing sails on the furler but mast up is recommended. If you can't find instructions PM Judy B. I did mine on my trailer with the mast up and the help of my teenage daughter.

You have to unpin your furler drum from the luff extrusion. You tie a tag line on to the little slide and start pulling your old sail off. The little black triangle will pull the tag line up the furler. When you get to the head of the jib you untie it and tie on your new sail. Then you feed your luff into the extrusion while pulling your tag line. The advantage of doing this mast up is the whole sail is lower than the furler so it's easily lined up into the slot. My daughter and I later watched a couple change the headsail on their furler at the dock and wow was that ever a testimony of a strong marriage. It was constant work to get the sail into position under the furler. Literally where you want the sail is just off the bow quarter and 5 feet lower. I also can't imagine trying to drag a sail along the ground while trying to pull it into the extrusion.

Starspun did a thread on her new sails with some pics to show how it is done. Although searching for her on this forum could get you into hot water with your admiral

A little research will save you a lot of greif on this one. Good luck and enjoy your genoa (insert size matters joke here).

Willy

[Russ]

You have to unpin your furler drum from the luff extrusion. You tie a tag line on to the little slide and start pulling your old sail off. The little black triangle will pull the tag line up the furler. When you get to the head of the jib you untie it and tie on your new sail. Then you feed your luff into the extrusion while pulling your tag line. The advantage of doing this mast up is the whole sail is lower than the furler so it's easily lined up into the slot. My daughter and I later watched a couple change the headsail on their furler at the dock and wow was that ever a testimony of a strong marriage. It was constant work to get the sail into position under the furler. Literally where you want the sail is just off the bow quarter and 5 feet lower. I also can't imagine trying to drag a sail along the ground while trying to pull it into the extrusion.

Interesting way of doing it. I may have to explore this idea. I was always afraid of losing the tag line inside the track. My Hunter had a real halyard that raised the sail along the extrusion.

I have never installed the sail with mast up. I either took the headstay off and "loaded" it on the front lawn or simply lowered it over the side of the boat and threaded it. Not a that hard at all and I could disconnect the top without much work.

As for the mounting of the transducer, mine is on the transom because it also measures water temp which is good to know.

Here are two ways others have done it.



And this clever no holes method.




If it's the "heal" type, those are typically mounted on the bottom of the hull. I would simply mount it inside the boat in a bed of silicone caulk. I've done this many times and it works very well.

--Russ

[bedouin]

A thought just occurred to me, before ordering a new HD forestay line I should make sure the previous owner did not upgrade already. Stock is an 1/8" wire and the HD is 5/16. Is there anything on the Mac that is 5/16 so I can compare??

Thanks

Matthew

[Tomfoolery]

Stock is an 1/8" wire and the HD is 5/16. Is there anything on the Mac that is 5/16 so I can compare??

You mean 5/32". The shrouds, both upper and lower, are 5/32" dia.