Newest owner of a 26X

[TheLandlady]

Landlady,

I have a question for you; what was the solution to this?

I finally fixed the “lack of right brake/turn indicator” issue on all of my various trailers that has plagued it for years.

I have a 2015 ram, the truck brake/turn light is on a different circuit than the trailer brake/turn light that is sent to the 7pin connector. My trailer tech had the same truck, same problem, and he fixed his by cutting a wire between the trucks taillight and the trailer connector, essentially linking the trailer lights directly to the truck’s light, just like most normal trucks since the beginning of time. I’ll let you know if it has any problems

[NiceAft]

Thanks.

[TheLandlady]

Recent projects
I’m in Sarasota for vacation until 3/17, considering launching as soon as tomorrow. I have a bucket list of parts and projects to do but really want a sunset cruise after seeing some boats go out tonight.
To be completed:
Boomjack
Whisker pole ring
Steering quick disconnect
Mast cap
Anchor light on mast cap
Winch tear down and rebuild x2
Center board line replacement
Winch holster install

Finished today:
De-mildew cockpit and topsides
Fuel locker covers
Transom filler

My drill did not fit between the pedestal and the fuel locker, but my drill bit fit into my screwdriver so I had to hand drill the forward lower snaps for the covers. Good times! Used 5200 on each spot, everything fees solid.

Some pics:

[Jimmyt]

That’s looking great! If it’s seaworthy and you’ve got current stickers, go for it - especially if it’s a good day. There will be plenty of days to work on it, and that’s a pretty healthy list. Enjoy it some.

Keep posting pics. I’m enjoying seeing your projects!

[Be Free]

If you can stay a couple of days longer you can meet some other Mac owners. https://macgregorsailors.com/forum/view ... hp?t=29370

[TheLandlady]

It’s 3am
Boat is on the dock after a successful launch and cruise earlier this afternoon to check the systems. Low tide is over the next hour or so, and from what I can tell this dock gets pretty close to dry. So naturally I can’t sleep and am out here keeping an eye on things until I’m a little more comfortable.

Wind is ripping in off the bay, pushing the boat against the slip… but I rigged a few lines and fenders and I’m a little proud of myself on the way it’s working out.

We docked at high tide, and the fenders i tied horizontally around the piles were originally set below the rub rail. Now at low tide they were above it but still doing their job. Even so, I adjusted so they are back below the rubber. Two much larger vertical fenders are tied onto the mid ships stanchions and will preempt the return of the dock to below the rub rail as well.

Above the rub rail:




And now below:




A few locals at Bahia Mar West gave me a hand in stepping, launching. Great marina, friendly people. One guy came
With me out the canal and into the bay, then back to my rental dock a few channels over and was a champ on the boat hook.
Jake the dog was pretty useless as crew but he had a good time peeing on stuff in the boatyard.











Resting hard after a long day


The motor spun right up. the ballast tank filled and drained with ease. The CDI headsail worked fine once I realized the jib halyard was getting tangled in it at the top.
Not sure if it’s a jib or a Genoa, maybe somewhere in the middle? How can I tell? It comes past the shrouds when fully unfurled.

Speaking of shrouds, is there a definitive tension for proper tuning? Mine are super loose. Not trying to race, but not trying to looks like a jerk either. Should I get a Loos tensioner tool?

Another issue is that the centerboard does not want to go down, so I didn’t want to lift the mainsail. I have a new line for it, hopefully that will fix it when I have a chance to replace it. Planning to just drop an anchor and do it in the water.


Anyway thanks for reading my blog post,
Great to be on the water again!

[TheLandlady]

If you can stay a couple of days longer you can meet some other Mac owners. https://macgregorsailors.com/forum/view ... hp?t=29370

Man I’ll just miss it… unlucky, I have to be at work on the morning of the 18th and that means putting the boat on the trailer at the very latest on the 17th. More likely I’ll be driving back to St. Louis on the 15th tho. Camping out with a bunch of Mac’s sounds like a blast.

[TheLandlady]

4am update
Looks like we are at the bottom of low tide and the wind has completely died off which is great for my peace of mind.

The vast majority of the boat is floating aside from maybe 4 inches from the stem and aft, which is resting on a mix of mostly mud but a few oysters too, which I moved away.
Not too worried, didn’t hear any scraping or crunching when I moved her around a little, and the paint scrapes you see are from the trailer. Hopefully I can sleep tomorrow! Also brought a good flashlight this time. Jake came too but mostly wandered around the yard.















Also looks like I’m not the first one to have bottomed out here:



Also another question… everything in my documents indicates the motor is a 2 Stroke, so I bought some 2 stroke oil and mixed it into my tanks. Taxiing out of the marina the motor was smoking a little bit as a 2 stroke does, but I also noticed for the first time and oil tank cap on top of the power head that says “TCW.” I’ll start googling in a minute but can anyone here elaborate on that? 2008 Merc 50hp. Thanks!

[Jimmyt]

Larger, and newer, 2-stroke outboards were designed with oil injection systems. You put the 2-stroke oil (TCW is the grading for the 2-stroke oil), into a reservoir in lieu of mixing it in the fuel.

You need to make sure your reservoir is topped up, and stop mixing it in the fuel.

Also, always post a picture of the topic in question. It would be very helpful to see what you are seeing when you ask a question. It is almost a guarantee that you’ll get a better, more accurate, response, too.

On some outboards, the oil reservoir is remote, buried somewhere on the boat. A buddy of mine has a Boston whaler that has the oil reservoir in the steering station amidship.

My etec has the reservoir mounted in the powerhead.

[Be Free]

I'm sorry you will not be here for the meet-up.

That looks like a genoa to me. The jib will come back to the base of the mast or a little more if it is a 110. The jib sheets are run through cars mounted on a track on the cabin top. The genoa will reach back past the shrouds. The sheets are routed outside the shrouds to a track on the cockpit coaming.

[Be Free]

I knew there was something else. You can get a gauge to tension the stays but if you are not racing "good enough" is probably good enough.

The stays should be somewhere between "snug" and "tight" when they are properly adjusted. The verniers will adjust in increments of 1/8" so I just do it by feel. The mast will be slightly angled back (about 6 degrees). The mast should be exactly plumb port to starboard.

[OverEasy]

Hi LandLady!


Congratulations on getting launched!
Congratulations on getting in Salt water!
Congratulations on having a great time!

Really glad things are working out for you!
Great pictures!

(You beat me into the water. We hope to be in on this coming Monday morning!)

Best Regards
Over Easy

[pitchpolehobie]

To get your center board down loosen the line then back the boat up in reverse.the turbulence usually pulls it down.

[TheLandlady]

To get your center board down loosen the line then back the boat up in reverse.the turbulence usually pulls it down.

Thank you I will try this next time I’m out

[TheLandlady]

Update Sarasota
I’ve been out twice, first on Friday 3/3 with my wife and daughter in the afternoon to bring the boat back to the ramp before checking out of our rental on Saturday morning.
It was blowing 25kts from midnight onward until about 4pm.
Our rental was in Bradenton and the boat was on the dock. I hadn’t been out yet with my family or at all because of various nonsense but the checkout time was quickly approaching at 10am the next day. We also couldn’t check in the new house until 4pm afternoon, and my wife had to fly to New England at 1:30pm for her sisters baby shower, leaving me with the toddler and dog for Saturday and Sunday nights.
Needless to say, the logistical pressure was mounting. The wind blowing hard didn’t help. I didn’t want to take them out in something uncomfortable, I want my baby to enjoy this and for that to happen the admiral has to enjoy it as well. However, around 4pm it slowed to 5-8kts and was shaping up for a beautiful sunset, so we went for it.










It was absolutely beautiful.
Motor only, we took out from our creek in bayshore and cruises down to about New Pass before turning back downwind to the north toward the ramp on the adjacent creek. I pushed the boom starboard and pinned it to the lifeline so we had a great view of the sunset on the way back up.

Entering the channel for the creek it became a direct starboard crosswind, which began to pickup again around 6:30 or so. the waves were starting to hit us abeam and it got a little wonky, but we got into protected water just in time. Docking was a comedy show, first time for my wife trying to use the boat hook. Would have been nice if I had her cleat a line to the bow before we got there! A live aboard couple were walking past and offered their assistance, which we gladly accepted, and we managed to tie it up without any damage. They turned out to both be certified 100 Ton master captains and probably enjoyed the dock show as much as we enjoyed the sunset.

I put the boat on the trailer and left it for the next two nights while juggling airport trips, moving between rentals, baby naps and dog walking.