MacGregorSailors.com

Hey folks, buying new running rigging for my 1985 Mac 25. I was able to find the link for the jib halyard, jib sheets and mainsail halyard, but I don't know how many feet of line I need for the traveler/Mainsheet. I'm guessing this is going to be 3/8" line. This line runs from the two standing blocks at the aft of the boat to the boom, to adjust the mainsail and weather helm. Any ideas? BTW the old line has been tossed so I have nothing to compare.

Bluewater Yachts says the mainsheet is 5/16" Sampson LS Yacht Braid, 46 ft long. 3/8" is kinda heavy for such a lightly loaded line, though it's got good 'hand'. Good price, too, at $30.

FWIW.

Thanks! I've had issues using blue waters inventory search. Okay 5/16" it shall be.

dcaldarona wrote:Thanks! I've had issues using blue waters inventory search. Okay 5/16" it shall be.

Since you brought it up, there are issues with their parts page as far as incompatibility with some browsers and/or versions of some browsers. Firefox doesn't work for me, but IE does. And some versions of IE don't work, but 'compatibility' mode usually solves that. It's a great resource, and their prices tend to be very good. Great, even. Just pointing that out, as they're also an advertiser here, so I try to support them when I can.

And that's a good observation. I shop more than I need to at the local WM, simply because if no one supports the more dedicated shops, then they will not be around forever.

Tomfoolery wrote:

dcaldarona wrote:Thanks! I've had issues using blue waters inventory search. Okay 5/16" it shall be.

Since you brought it up, there are issues with their parts page as far as incompatibility with some browsers and/or versions of some browsers. Firefox doesn't work for me, but IE does. And some versions of IE don't work, but 'compatibility' mode usually solves that. It's a great resource, and their prices tend to be very good. Great, even. Just pointing that out, as they're also an advertiser here, so I try to support them when I can.

I'm not telling you what to do, I'm giving you the recommended line sizes for the MacGregor 25.
Main Halyard 5/16"
Jib Halyard 5/16"
Mainsheet 3/8"
Jibsheets 3/8"
Outhaul 1/4"
Topping lift 1/4"

I hope this helps someone.

dlandersson wrote:And that's a good observation. I shop more than I need to at the local WM, simply because if no one supports the more dedicated shops, then they will not be around forever.

Tomfoolery wrote:

dcaldarona wrote:Thanks! I've had issues using blue waters inventory search. Okay 5/16" it shall be.

Since you brought it up, there are issues with their parts page as far as incompatibility with some browsers and/or versions of some browsers. Firefox doesn't work for me, but IE does. And some versions of IE don't work, but 'compatibility' mode usually solves that. It's a great resource, and their prices tend to be very good. Great, even. Just pointing that out, as they're also an advertiser here, so I try to support them when I can.

And since BWY is an advertiser here, supporting them indirectly supports this website, which is another reason I use them whenever I can.

Mac 25 wrote:I'm not telling you what to do, I'm giving you the recommended line sizes for the MacGregor 25.
Main Halyard 5/16"
Jib Halyard 5/16"
Mainsheet 3/8"
Jibsheets 3/8"
Outhaul 1/4"
Topping lift 1/4"

I hope this helps someone.

Got any other specs or links you care to share? My mac 25 is my first sail boat, ive been scouring the web for info. Where'd you find recommended line sizes?

To dcaldarona:

If your new boat is worth $20,000.00 or more, go to W. M. or BWY.
I replaced all my running rigging thru a line dealer on ebay, that sells Nova Tech XLE line.
Google there site for information on there line, if it meets your spec's go to ebay and
search Nova tech XLE the seller I used was (roscoef) his prices are good and you have free
shipping.
I replaced all my running rigging with New England rope before and it lasted
around 4 yrs then started looking ragged, the Nova Tech XLE line feels the same and has
the same spec. but a lot cheaper.
As before I'm not trying to sell or tell you what to do. I'm giving you another option.
Good Luck

Also keep an eye on WM. At least once a year they have a sale on bulk line. Both of my boats I did this during a 1/2 off sale.

On my Mac I have all white running rigging as its the stock lines un-replaced. Never mattered much to me since I do most the line-handling and trimming onboard.


The Beneteau came stock with a different colored rope for every sheet, line, and halyard. They use solid colors for halyards and lines, and white/colored for sheets. I can't tell you how much easier it is to enlist the help of crew when I can just say "haul on the green and white line" instead of "harden up the mainsheet" which they never understand and would have a tough time separating out anyway.

Turns out I was doing all the line handling because it was easier than telling other people what to do. With the colored lines, I've been able to get the admiral and kids much more involved in sailing, and they're learning the ropes after the fact as they use them. It takes all the panic of not knowing or being able to find the right line during a maneuver for them.

I strongly recommend individually colored lines if you routinely sail with crew and you're replacing your rigging anyway.