MacGregorSailors.com

Hi Guys/Gals,
Yes, it’s been a Looong while. I hope everyone is well and looking forward to a new season.

So, I’m going “Commando”, again and running Miss Ollie as a trawler, again, for this season. And the next and…
Basically, when I go to my marina and see that the wind is up, my thinking isn’t: “Oh good, I can go sailing”. I’m thinking:”Oh Crap! Paddle boarding is out. How comfortable will motoring, or just hanging out be?…”

Sailing, for me, is a whole lotta lines and work I don’t really wanna do And this attitude isn’t gonna change. I’m not worried about my resale value, etc. I’m content that Miss Ollie is long paid for, sits in my driveway in the Winter and will be the only boat I’ll own, Period.

So, I’m Really considering selling my: sails and hardware and just boating as a Trawler, from now on. I’m curious what you all think. I’d put it up for sale here, EBay & FB etc.

For sale would be: Mast, Boom, old and heavy cruising mainsail, ‘09 150 RF Genoa with window & sewn in cover, a couple of short jibs I tried as a cutter rig and a used spinnaker & chute run off a Custom Spinnaker pole by John “ An Hileanto'ir III; I & II” Highlander [Which is awesome - and I will p’pay him for, finally] and an M mast raising system. Plus all connected lines and stuff I can find.

Whaddya think?

Your boat; your rules. Enjoy it however you see fit.

Having said that, I’d probably keep the rig with the boat to make it easier to sell when you get rid of it. The sails can go as they are easy enough to replace. But, a new mast and boom is a bit of a trick to get and expensive to ship. Not sure what the market for a used 26X rig is either.

My $.02 is, if you have some place to store it out of your way, hang on to the rig.

Glad to hear you still enjoy the boat in some form.

And, really glad to see that you’re ok! Missed seeing your posts!

Ditto what Jimmy said.

I would hold on to the mast & boom if you can store it. I doubt there is much value in parting it out after shipping.
The sails etc. would be easier to sell online and ship.

But again, your boat, your rules. Do what you want.

In the market for a spinnaker and hardware (masy tang) for it if parting out.

Hi Gazam!

Ahoy!
Glad to see yer fixinta slash MissOllie!

Your boat / Your rules and all ….
but given the uniqueness of our boats I sorta agree with the idea of keeping your mast/boom/rigging/sails if possible. These will definitely make it easier to sell/pass-on Miss Ollie at sometime in the future… especially given how difficult/expensive they are to ship/replace along with the limited market for these items that are willing to come get them. There is no right/wrong answers … it depends on your personal desires/options/needs. The only thing I’d suggest is to take sometime to objectively make a plan for what/when and the conditions under which you’re going to feel comfortable with letting Miss Ollie move on…it’s something of a process I have to admit I have difficulties with as I sorta like to keep things “just in case I might need that” . After we downsized I kept stuff in a pair of rented storage lockers for what I thought at the time was short term…🫣… good stuff mind you but the value was more sentimental than practical and it took me awhile to realize there was a time to let go of things… it’s still a process but getting rid of the lower value items that weren’t of value actually allowed me to keep the valuable and meaningful…

We’ve been trawlering and sorta enjoy the freedom that it provides us. We’re one of the more active boats in our marina. The pure sailboats are seemingly always waiting for enough wind or for the winds to calm down… that or they are waiting for someone to crew when the conditions are just right.

There’s something similar going on with the open power boaters to some extent for those with open top types with low freeboard when it comes to waves/wind/sun/rain. There’s not much shelter under a center console … never mind access to a loo …. when it’s needed.

The Mac26X makes a great Trawler for us with more room and comfort than many of the similar class cabin cruisers. Using a partially deployed swing keel as a skeg (below 6 knots) gives us good maneuverability and the option to run with/without ballast let’s us have the stability in heavier conditions or let’s us run free in smooth conditions as desired. Our interior space is much more and more usable than any of the comparable cabin cruisers too!

We’re fortunate to have the space to store our mast and boom along the side of our garage. I mounted four simple ladder (or hose) hangers to support it all up out of the way. The aluminum and stainless don’t care about the weather or sun. The sails take up a garage shelf but could just as easily be tucked (carefully) into a footlocker or one of those plastic wheelie totes. Not much space for either.

Glad your up and about and headed back to the water! Post pictures when your back on the water

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Hi Greg,

Have missed seeing posts about Miss Olie.

Whatever your decision, keep posting. There are some here who use their Mac as a trawler exclusively. Your knowledge can help.

While you're thinking about selling it, I'd be glad to watch it for you up here on the Great Lakes.

I would agree with those who say keep the spars and at least the main and Genoa. It's not so much a matter of making back a portion of the investment, but simply making it easier to get to boat gone when the time comes. Just be sure to store the sails in an indoor closet lest it become a nest for rodents or other pests.

Thanks Captains.
You’ve succeeded; You’ve set my mind ‘rite’!

I appreciate the welcome and the love.

I’ll store the hardware & sheets. Our Macs are Great cruisers

PS: I think I like calling Trawler style going Commando

Gazmn wrote: ↑Thu May 11, 2023 7:19 pm I think I like calling Trawler style going Commando

I understand the growing desire to "keep it simple". You have probably already noticed my thread on "Genoa only sailing" where I can enjoy sailing with a roller furling Genoa and lose only about a knot and half of speed. It is easy to just "roll up the sail" when it gets too rough, or I just want to stop and motor. I am tempted sometimes to think of it as a "sailing pontoon boat", but that is going a tad too far! In any event, I would keep the spars and the basic sail plan for ease of sale. Cheers.

Gazmn wrote: ↑Thu May 11, 2023 7:19 pm
PS: I think I like calling Trawler style going Commando

Gazmn wrote: ↑Thu May 11, 2023 7:19 pmTrawler style going Commando

Hi All,
As stated earlier, I’m keeping my sail plan. Thanks for all the comments, love and humor. Herschel, that was a good read on Genoa only sailing. I’ve done a bit of that, as the wind direction worked for my waters. So, my dilemma and previous sale consideration had to do with: Where to store a 29’ mast, boom and sails

While I created a hanger for it earlier, I - after a few scotches, for you know - rumination, came to the conclusion: due to getting older and shoulder injuries/weakness, apathy etc, I wouldn’t be hanging my rags this season or in foreseeable future. And I -landed on keeping Miss Ollie so…

Anyway, we’re keeping ‘em. The only room I have to store a 29’ mast, is where I store Miss Ollie. So, Up on the wall, on a hanger went the mast, sheets and lines, loosely UV covered

They ain’t coming down anytime soon. But they’re there, on the sidewall of my house. My neighbors already knew I was Nutz and that I use every inch of my postage stamp size property.

I still have a mod or 3 to post. Nothing like expanding the horizons and possibilities of Mac boating/sailing.

Again, Thanks All
PS: Consider- My version of going “Commando” is bc my sailboat is now naked [without sail gear] - But No Skidmarks

Gazmn wrote: ↑Fri May 12, 2023 9:58 pm Hi All,
As stated earlier, I’m keeping my sail plan. Thanks for all the comments, love and humor. Herschel, that was a good read on Genoa only sailing. I’ve done a bit of that, as the wind direction worked for my waters. So, my dilemma and previous sale consideration had to do with: Where to store a 29’ mast, boom and sails

While I created a hanger for it earlier, I - after a few scotches, for you know - rumination, came to the conclusion: due to getting older and shoulder injuries/weakness, apathy etc, I wouldn’t be hanging my rags this season or in foreseeable future. And I -landed on keeping Miss Ollie so…

Anyway, we’re keeping ‘em. The only room I have to store a 29’ mast, is where I store Miss Ollie. So, Up on the wall, on a hanger went the mast, sheets and lines, loosely UV covered

They ain’t coming down anytime soon. But they’re there, on the sidewall of my house. My neighbors already knew I was Nutz and that I use every inch of my postage stamp size property.

I still have a mod or 3 to post. Nothing like expanding the horizons and possibilities of Mac boating/sailing.

Again, Thanks All
PS: Consider- My version of going “Commando” is bc my sailboat is now naked [without sail gear] - But No Skidmarks

I think your mast and boom will be OK there. My brother kept the mast and boom from his Hobie 16 on his back yard fence for probably about 30 years after his boat was long given up to weather (hurricanes) and UV deterioration. He finally decided to buy another house and had to clear off the fence, so I offered to take it and gave it to a neighbor with two Hobie 16's he was refurbishing, and the neighbor was happy to get it. It seemed very serviceable.