MacGregorSailors.com

I had the same experience with my new 05' M. I have had the boat out 3-times so far this year and have only sailed with the Main to "learn" the boat and to keep things simple. (By the way - this is the most fun I have ever had on the water - first sailboat) This week, I decided to get the furler set up, got everything ready and then realized how heavy the furler,sail,cover was when attempting to raise the mast. Slip fees are extremely high on Lake Coeur d' Alene - around $1700 for the summer - so I will be keeping my boat on the trailer. Anyways - because I will be setting the boat up by myself 90% of the time, I have decided to forego the furler for now and go with the hank on jib and genoa. Any opinions about this? I'm thinking the furler is ideal if the boat is in the water all the time, but if trailering back and forth - and rigging by myself - the hank on sails might be the better choice.

Slip fees are extremely high on Lake Coeur d' Alene - around $1700 for the summer -
On Winnipesaukee I would have to pay about $3,500 to $4,000 for the summer for a slip, if I could find one. I store mine on the trailer, about 200 feet from the ramp for $850 a season. Eventually I would like to buy a slip, but the prices are going thru the roof. A 30 foot slip was listed last month for $125,000!

SlamJam,
Don't panic.....the first few time I raised my mast (with furler) I was thinking something like..."what the he##%% this is a rayal PITA!!!" and the Admiral just about killed me. (ok having the mast fall onto our roof was a bad first time)

It is now a piece of cake after learning all the little tricks and getting our system down. We have actually raised it a few time while on the water bouncing around on a mooring ball!

It will get easier.

Rich

You don't need more hands, you just need better technique.

The furler slides down the spreader which is why it torques the mast out of alignment. The key is to leave one bungee holding the furler to the mast down (forward) of the spreader. I keep mine far enough forward so it doesn't have to roll over the crutch roller. You leave it there until after you've got the mast mounted in the step.

Push the mast rearward til the baby stays stop it. Put the bolt in your pocket. Straddle the mast facing forward. With the mast in between your butt cheeks and holding it with both hands, squat down while guiding the base into the step. You should be able to twist the mast with both hands to align one hole, then reach into your pocket, pull out the bolt and put it through the hole. By shifting your body and twisting the mast with both hands, align the second hole and push the bolt the rest of the way through.

Now don't forget to remove that last bungee; otherwise you will be dropping the mast again to get it later. BTDT.

I've done this singlehanded probably 50-60 times

If I can add one thing its tie the furler up firmly so it doesnt torque the mast as you are stepping it. You want the furler to stay nice and straight on the mast.

For those of you in a slip, has anyone considered / tried a Bottomliner?

www.bottomliner.com

Looks like a $1000 for a plastic diaper....Im not sure how you get the water out of this thing after you pull it up, to prevent electrolysis damage as advertised.

Has to be blue of course...

I pay the extra for a slip or mooring. It's nice to be able to take my motorcycle when I want to go sailing.

We had our boat painted with a barrier coat and then bottom paint for about $1400.