MacGregorSailors.com

Channeling my father now...

'And that's why we don't have nice things..."

Make sure daggerboard is all the way up before loading onto trailer.
Last summer I forgot I had it down 6", and when the admiral was winching the boat onto the trailer there was a "bang". Couldn't see any issue until we pulled up the ramp. The cross bunk on the lh side near the axle was sticking out sideways. Had to relaunch, then replace the broken inboard bolt on the bunk. Fortunately no damage to the daggerboard .

Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.

There are no hardware stores at sea. Bring spare parts in case you need 'em.

I'd rather have a bottle in front of me than a frontal labotomy

mastreb wrote:An admiral helmsman is cheaper than an autopilot. Well, not cheaper, but already priced in.

When it's gets old and cranky and not very useful on the water, and you want a newer model, an autopilot is cheaper to replace.

Always check to make sure your centerboard is Down before you back out of your slip on a windy day or you might kiss other boats....... (TODAY)

Don't spit into the wind, It will throw it back at you.

cptron wrote:Don't spit into the wind, It will throw it back at you.

...and don't pull the mask off that old Lone Ranger and don't mess around with Jim.

If you want to get to heaven, you've got to raise a little hull

Bow and stern docking lines long enough to be tied together when docking crosswinded on the downwind side of a slip.
(Or almost in any condition, actually).

Controling both ends of our high freeboard boats with one line will be priceless one day....

I've learned to check the operation of the lights on the mast before I raise it. Since I have started doing that they have worked perfectly every time.

BOAT wrote:Take a couple of pool noodles from Walmart and slice them up the middle like your gutting a fish and put them on your spreaders before you roll the mast back and the spreaders won't scratch the top of the cabin

Or put them on your life lines for a nice headrest.

1) Disconnect the shore power BEFORE pulling back from slip.
2) Remove rudder trailing bolts before getting wet.
3) Make sure forestay is on correct side of baby stays before raising mast.
4) tie mast raising line to forward cleat. Use quick pin in johnson lever (must have lever installed first ) to clip open lever to mast raising line allowing the furler drum (must have roller furling installed first ) to slide nicely right over where it needs to be. Not my idea but really works.
5) Shroud tell tales installed before raising mast.
6) "secret sign" on piling to let the dock dames know when its safe to visit.

Hardcrab wrote:Bow and stern docking lines long enough to be tied together when docking crosswinded on the downwind side of a slip.
(Or almost in any condition, actually).

Controling both ends of our high freeboard boats with one line will be priceless one day....

BWY's suggestion was to keep a dock line tied to the bow cleat and run back to the stanchion just forward of the cockpit, tied off with a clove hitch - it's far enough back that you can control both bow and stern when launching, docking etc. That's been a priceless tip as well!

- Clay