Baby stays were attached. I did not have the boom secured, and I did not have the mast crutch in. However, I might need to tighten the baby stays. When the mast was lowered all the way down thats when a wave jolted it sideways and snapped the boom bracket and bent the mast raising pole bracket.

The boat is a 99x, roller furler, mast rasing kit @ smith mountain lake Va.

My trailer tires do the same thing on a 1999 steel trailer. I put a floor jack under the axle while storage in winter. It takes the weight off of the axle and helps the inside tire wear.

Should I have disconnected boom before lowering mast with rasing system?. The waves were rocking pretty good and the mast rasing pole bracket that attaches to mast bent. The mast went sideways and then the metal cap that attaches the boom to mast broke. To make things worse I did'nt clear the bridge...

Try this: Put the Mac on a trailer and fill the ballast tank with a hose. Look to see any leaks. Next Drain the ballast tank and plug. Fill a 4-5 inches in cabin and see if any water enters ballast tank. Be cafeful not to overfill the boat I am not sure what the added weight will do . Just A Thought...

I think everybody has a florida keys trip on thier wish list. Thats really good info., Thanks!!, Any additional info welcomed- Garrett- Ps. I'll be sailing at Smith Mountain Lake, Va. , Cape Cod , 1000 Islands St. Lawrence River N.Y. this Summer.

It might be the carbs need cleaning. Has it sat for awile?. My 50 Merc. is in the shop for a Carb job, it had the same simptoms.

Please let me know about the upper Keys. That was our plan 1 , we had reservations at Bahia Honda State Park but we decided on a 6 hr drive vs. a 20 hour drive because of the gas prices. Sound like you had a Blast !!

They had 10 Transiant slips , full power and water, only 2 were being used ( me and another sailboat)- 20.00 per night, great showers, nice store, great set-up area. The ramp docks were in need of repair, but usable. They have an additional 20-30 slips that they rent seasonly/ monthly-- Carolina Bea...

We launched and stayed at the Carolina Beach State Park. Great slip accomodations. We then Sailed North up to Wilmington,N.C. On the Cape Fear River. Its located on the intercoastal, a short passage 2-3 miles could take you into the Ocean next to Fort Fisher. I would definately return for another tr...

It was 72F degrees that day. Except for the wind it was comfortable.

Question on the MAC bump. I can't seem do do it right. My trailer does not have electric brakes--- does that make a difference?

My dad took me sailing when I was 10 years old-34 years ogo. This is the first sail since then.

First  sail in my 99x. Boat and family went to  Outerbanks, N.C./ Cape Fear river. We stayed at the slip for 20.00 per night for three days. We ended up only going out sailing one of the days because of the wind, but is was great.I was a little worried because the wind was 20-30 mph with higher gust...

I don't know how to post the pics here, but I managed to post them in the MAC MODS PAGE( interior ) section. Dated 3-15-08, Garrett[/list][/list]

I'll try and post pics later. The Teak weatherproof 1'x1' tiles are a no brainer they just lay directly on the fiberglass floor. The water, dirt falls through the slats. Looks like in laid floor. garrett