Highlanders First Sail on an M

beene · Post by **beene** » Fri May 25, 2007 8:02 pm

Leon,

I have got to get that quick disconnect

That 75 is a big pig back there and really screws up the steering among other things

I disconnected her today when sailing with John, huge improvement in handling and sailing feel.

VIDEO HERE

Cheers

G

Gazmn · Post by **Gazmn** » Fri May 25, 2007 9:33 pm

Beene,

Nice video. I was checking out your Bimini. How tall is it? Is that one part of an enclosure system and if so, which one. It looks like you can stand under it. It looks great! Sturdy... mighty Studly

Any info on it would be appreciated.

- Gaz

beene · Post by **beene** » Sat May 26, 2007 6:29 am

Hi Gaz

Glad you liked the video

I am 6' tall and stand under that Bimini with 2 inches to spare. It is not part of the full enclosure, can't afford one of those fancy things for a long time yet.

CLICK HERE FOR INFO

Follow the link to where I purchased it and how much it costs.

Cheers

G

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Sun May 27, 2007 8:24 am

I hope this does'nt mean I'm A Hasbeene Now

I hasbeene motoring , I hasbeene sailing . Next I hasbeene racing against beene & Alex

Then their was My lucky Night where I was hasbeene L........... twice in one Night

Thx G

Cheers John

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Sun May 27, 2007 9:19 am

Looks like Alex did'nt fair so well on Sat. "no wind" , O' well glad I stayed home & drilled 3 more 4" holes in the boat "air pockets"

took my upper shroulds in on Sat replacing them with swaged 1/4" pin swivel fork toggles on the ends instead of the swaged eye onto the end brkt's that always seem to get tangled "twisted" on the end brkt's when raising the mast

Cheers john

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue May 29, 2007 3:10 pm

Mr. Bean
I noticed you have your rope clutches right adjacent to the winch on the port side and as far aft as you could get. I just installed two, one on each side for each halyard about 1 foot forward of the winches so that the tailing could be wrapped around the winches and pulled tighter. I am now curious as to which position would be most advantageous when mounting a halyard clutch. Yours is easier to reach where it is and would not interupt a dodger in future whereas mine being forward can make use of the winch but may interfere with a dodger unless the dodger is custom made to go around it. Any thoughts?.
I also noticed your mast is rotated fully to starboard in the center photo. I have seen this on mine as well so just this past week while setting my halyards aft (very similar to yours) I also set up rotating mast control lines with smaller lines and pulleys attached to those forward stantion fairleads that are used for baby stays, then ran the lines aft through the stantion supports. I have not tested it yet but I am thinking it will help control the mast rotation angle relative to the sail and improve the angle of attack. Do I sound like I am being to fanatical? I saw something similar on the Pearla Noir so I am trying it out, doesn't cost too much.

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Post by **Duane Dunn, Allegro** » Tue May 29, 2007 5:06 pm

Another thing I see regarding Beene's halyard clutch location is it puts the lines right in the center of the area you need to step on when going forward. I would think forward of the winch allowing the use of the winch for tensioning the halyard and more inboard would get the lines out of the way better. It's real easy to roll an ankle when stepping on a line like that.

beene · Post by **beene** » Wed May 30, 2007 7:32 am

Hi Terry & Duane

I have those clutches mounted port and starboard...

... they came as part of a B4S option pack from Bill. He mounted them where he found them to be most useful from his experience with the Mac's. I did not question anything he did or said as he had much more experience than I with the Mac. I like that they are close and easy to reach from the cockpit. I cannot use the winches for the halyards as you pointed out due to the clutch location, but have not needed to. As for walking up there as Duane pointed out, I have slipped on a halyard from time to time, but mostly I make it a practice of going down the center of the hatch and cabin top when on deck. Rule no.1 never go on deck with the companionway hatch open, even a little bit. When I am on deck and walking back to the cockpit, I walk to the edge of the hatch, sit down, and then hop off. I use the boom for support whenever possible.

As far as the dodger, the Dowsar one looks like it would not fit with any config that we are discussing here. When I get one, it will have to be custom made more than likely.

For mast rotation, it is a new concept to me, from what I can tell, I like what it is doing so far as far as air flow and my thinking of how it seems to be less disturbed with the mast the way it is in the picture, but what do I know? Like you said, BWY is doing it, they know the boat better than I do. Let me know about your results and I will look forward to a good read.

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Wed May 30, 2007 10:53 am

Great Pics & video G. Beautiful bimini too. I want one. Actually want the full enclosure package, but man, big $$$. Plus, installation would be a challange. Might start out with the bimini.. should be a fairly easy install.

To get the BWY linkage/quick disconnect, call them @ (206) 282-4261 Gail or Cheryl are very helpful. They only take orders by phone. You'll be able to enjoy that bad boy 75 hp Merc without lugging it around with your helm under sail.

Leon

beene · Post by **beene** » Wed May 30, 2007 11:57 am

Hi Leon and thanks again.

With regards to that Big Boy, did I mention if tilted up, she has very little room before she will HIT THE BIG BOLTS HOLDING THE MAST CRUTCH!!!

So picture said big motor rookie, ie ME, who is used to a 7.5 kicker only, experimenting with BIG BOY tilted up and sailing to see the difference, yet with the steering still hooked up to that BIG BOY, wind picks up, boat tries to round up, requiring combat steering tactics, can you picture what happens next

..... now what was that number again

Question, is that quick disconnect adjustable? My current setup does not allow adjustment so the motor is NOT plumb with the rudders at any time. I wish I had a way to not only plumb the rudders, but the motor with the rudders as well.

That would make me a very happy Mac'r.

G

Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL · Wed May 30, 2007 12:56 pm

Duane Dunn, Allegro wrote:Another thing I see regarding Beene's halyard clutch location is it puts the lines right in the center of the area you need to step on when going forward. I would think forward of the winch allowing the use of the winch for tensioning the halyard and more inboard would get the lines out of the way better. It's real easy to roll an ankle when stepping on a line like that.

The winches on the 26X and 26M are sheet winches, not halyard winches.
If you need a winch to get your sails up you're doing something wrong.
The winches aren't even necessary for the sheets, with my system.
I try to simplify things.
I use the winch to tighten up my hammock.
I've done it this way on hundreds of Macs (X's and M's).
My customers may have rolled something on their boats but I'm not aware of any of them rolling an ankle.

delevi · Post by **delevi** » Wed May 30, 2007 1:19 pm

Question, is that quick disconnect adjustable? My current setup does not allow adjustment so the motor is NOT plumb with the rudders at any time. I wish I had a way to not only plumb the rudders, but the motor with the rudders as well.

That would make me a very happy Mac'r.

I think the system will make you a happy Mac'r. There is a good amount of adjustments between the two pieces of the steering arm via threaded rod. You can also locate the placement of the stationary stud to secure the motor while disconnected so that it is centered. The threaded rod allows for you to center the motor with the rudders. In my case, I had to cut off the end of the rod to get my motror centered and still allow for a bit of needed rotation for tilting up/down. Go Go Go! Buy Buy Buy! Now Now Now!

beene · Post by **beene** » Wed May 30, 2007 1:51 pm

Quote....

Custom Steering

Our custom designed system allows you to steer with the engine and rudders for maneuvering and slow speed control, but gives you the option of removing the linkage instantly with no tools. It is important to be able to remove the linkage for long sailing trips to improve rudder feel and reduce the wear caused on the steering system from constantly turning a heavy motor in the tilted up position. With the heavier 4 Stroke motors, it is also a safety issue, as the weight of the motor can actually turn the wheel if you let go.

This kit is designed for the Nissan/Tohatsu 40 & 50 HP motors as well as the Suzuki 50 an 70 HP 4 Stroke, but can easily be adapted (with a bit of creativity) to many other engines.

26M $129.00 Includes 2 Quick release connectors, tie rod, mount for fixing the engine straight ahead when sailing, and a new engine steering arm to replace the factory arm.

Installation: 2 (3 if adapting to other types of motors)

Tools: 2 (possibly more if adapting to other motors)

Hmmmm

Looking at a mod in the mod section that talks about a bigger bolt for dead stop disconnect, and a quick pin for a no tools ability, $130+ ship+ cust++

Will try the mod first to see if I can get it done for $10 or less.
I do like the BWY item though, just want to give the old mod thing a go first.

Cheers

G

Highlander · Post by **Highlander** » Wed May 30, 2007 5:00 pm

Beene,

You can buy these quick diconnect ends here locally in SS & SS threaded rod also & make your own for about a third of that price I'm shure, there nothing special, some one on this site already posted a place where you could get them can't remenber off hand where right now

Cheers John

Duane Dunn, Allegro · Post by **Duane Dunn, Allegro** » Wed May 30, 2007 5:27 pm

Bill, I don't dispute that your way works fine. My comment is simply an observation that not having the lines under foot would be even better.

As far as winching the halyards, I agree that I never have found a need for this either, but those really into performance may want a tighter hoist. Using a winch from the cockpit to get this is a better solution than having to go on deck and use Rogers silly truckers hitch to gain the purchase necessary for a full hoist. Not everyone uses these boats the same way.

What about other uses for the halyards? I have used my jib halyard a number of times to hoist my dinghy with a sling onto the foredeck. How about a man over board situation with a lifesling. The standard procedure is to use a halyard to lift this load. Both of these would be enhanced by the availability of a winch for the halyard.

Why limit the functionality? By simply placing the clutches in a different location you can use the winch if desired and the lines are not under foot. I'm not saying your work is wrong, I'm simply pointing out there are other choices that are as good or better.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Highlanders First Sail on an M

Highlanders First Sail on an M