Whenever I have my 26M under power and there is a significant cross wind there is a big issue with spray coming in the cockpit. Obviously it doesn't help that the steering position is right in the back of the boat (unlike most power boats).
Just a thought of a possible solution for this problem... Has anybody investigated or tried spray strakes on the hull to deflect the spray?? The water's nice and warm here (Australia) ... the real problem is the saltwater is getting in my beer!
Thanks guys for your help.
Spray in cockpit while under power
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Terry
- Admiral
- Posts: 1487
- Joined: Thu Feb 19, 2004 2:35 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada. '03 26M - New Yamaha 70
Do you have ballast in when the spray gets you? If so, emptying the ballast reduces the amount of spray entering the cockpit. If you still get spray with an empty ballast then you can justify a wide dodger that goes outside the winches for protection. That is how I am explaining it to my wife so that she does not get wet. 
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Frank C
Yes. I believe it was Tony D who added spray strakes to his 26X, some years ago. I've always been a bit leery of that solution though. Seems to me that strake will act as a mini-keel when heeled under sail.
It might help redirect the hull to prevent a round-up (the good news) but it's curving shape would surely add a prodigious amount of drag, wouldn't it???
Search on smart rail, and click 'all terms'
P.S. Terry's above comment is 100% correct. When ballasted, the Macs plow through the waves and create vast sheets of spray ... and when unballasted, they tend to climb over the waves, producing much less spray. Even so, any upwind quarter-heading will direct spray directly at the helm. That's why Terry & Mate want that wide dodger ... and that's why they're absolutely correct!
It might help redirect the hull to prevent a round-up (the good news) but it's curving shape would surely add a prodigious amount of drag, wouldn't it???
Search on smart rail, and click 'all terms'
P.S. Terry's above comment is 100% correct. When ballasted, the Macs plow through the waves and create vast sheets of spray ... and when unballasted, they tend to climb over the waves, producing much less spray. Even so, any upwind quarter-heading will direct spray directly at the helm. That's why Terry & Mate want that wide dodger ... and that's why they're absolutely correct!
Last edited by Frank C on Thu Apr 10, 2008 3:23 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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40Toes
- Engineer
- Posts: 139
- Joined: Tue Jan 22, 2008 9:08 am
- Location: St. John's, Newfoundland, Ontario 28 - Formerly 2000 26X
Not that I would advocate drinking and sailing, but I did encounter this problem several years ago as guest on a boat - basically a flap of duck tape to keep the spray out of the can and grow a moustache. As the water runs down your face it gets caught in the moustache and your beer remains salt free. If you are sailing in freshwater don't worry about it, just pretend you are drinking American beer!the real problem is the saltwater is getting in my beer!
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bastonjock
- Admiral
- Posts: 1161
- Joined: Fri May 25, 2007 10:41 pm
- Location: Lincolnshire United Kingdom Mac 26X
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Currie
- Captain
- Posts: 621
- Joined: Fri Feb 02, 2007 12:31 pm
- Location: Michigan ---- '04 26M "Take Five" 50HP Suzuki efi 4-stroke
Or just switch to Margaritas40Toes wrote:Not that I would advocate drinking and sailing, but I did encounter this problem several years ago as guest on a boat - basically a flap of duck tape to keep the spray out of the can and grow a moustache. As the water runs down your face it gets caught in the moustache and your beer remains salt free. If you are sailing in freshwater don't worry about it, just pretend you are drinking American beer!the real problem is the saltwater is getting in my beer!
