MacGregorSailors.com

Hello Everyone. I haven't posted much in these forums as I have had quite a few "experts" helping me restore my Mac. (almost too many experts if you know what I mean) With this said I finally had her in the water for the first time about three weeks ago and then again last Sunday I had her out for about 7 hours out of Avila Bay, CA. The one thing I have noticed is how the mainsheet is run is a bit inconventient for comfortable sailing. Currently it is set up with across the back of the transom like it came from the factory. (as I understand it) The problem I run into is the lines run from the Transom to the boom right across the back of the cockpit making it impossible to sit down right next to the transom.

Does anyone have any suggestions on how to improve this? I have about 7" from the end of my boom to the backstay so I could replace my boom and get a little bit more room back there but this feels like a band aid. I've noticed a few pictures of people running a traveler at the bottom of the entrance to the companionway. I've also seen a traveler mounted to the seats in the cockpit right under the boom. I can see the inconvenience of both of these but I think they would still be an improvement over the current situation. Any V222 owners out there with any suggestions?

BTW- When I went out last Sunday (third time in the water) my more experienced friend and I were treated to an absolutely incredible display about 4 miles offshore. The whales are heading North right now and hitting the Central Coast of CA. We sat in a pod of about 20 whales for an hour-and-a-half and saw probably 60-70 breaches for air and 10-15 head breaches. It was incredible and talk about understanding all the hard work I put into "Tres Perros" to get her ready for the ocean. Not trying to plug my YouTube Channel here (I only have 11 subscribers to really.....not trying to plug it) but if you are bored and want to see what sailing is like off the Central Coast of CA in April feel free to check out my video in the link below.

Thanks for any advice you have on my mainsheet situation. I would love to be able to sit further back in the cockpit and not have a rope jamming me in the back.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ue4HRJPOzjE

You really shouldnt be sitting right at the back of the cockpit of a pure sail boat, sitting that far back causes the stern to drag and slows you down, you need to sit forward toward the cabin bulkhead, you will be surprised at the difference in speed this will make to the boat performance.

Google picture of trailer boats racing and unless running down wind (when weight should be toward the stern) you will see them sitting as far forward as practical and in very light winds often a crew member sitting on the cabin roof amidships

Thanks for the reply. I'm still relatively new to being the guy holding the tiller but I've done a bit of racing. I weigh 260lbs so I've spent a lot of time on the windward side of a rail as "smart ballast" in many of the races I have crewed on.

With this said I totally get what you are talking about when it comes to putting the weight forward in the cockpit for maximum efficiency. My wife and nieces and nephews are more interested in being comfortable than going fast. I'm really just thinking how I can adjust so they can lean against the back rail in 5 knot winds while watching sea otters and barking seals if that makes sense.

I'll eventually race my boat but until I get more experience at the tiller I'm not going to push anything.

Thanks!

OK. Here I go again. MID BOOM MAINSHEET! You can either put a heavy eye bolt in the center of the step just before the companionway opening or put in a traveler. On our '72 V222 I chose the eye bolt. Purchase a 4 to 1 tackle with a locking cam and put a 6 legged bale on the boom. You will point higher, have better sail shape and go a little faster. With this small mod I usually beat everyone in my class I also installed traveler on Freedom. Trust me it's worth the investment. See Sumner pics of his setup. Fair Winds and Full Sails...Old Salt