Search found 1791 matches

by DaveC426913
Wed Mar 27, 2024 8:11 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Tacking performance
Replies: 23
Views: 357

Re: Tacking performance

The question then becomes when to reef, and the answer is before you set out. Reefing on the water is doable, but difficult. It is easy enough to shake a reef out while underway, so when in doubt, reef. Generally speaking, when winds get above about 15 MPH you are going to be much more comfortable ...
by DaveC426913
Mon Mar 25, 2024 7:26 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Tacking performance
Replies: 23
Views: 357

Re: Tacking performance

I tried the cabin-top fairlead tracks on my :macx: once, hoping for improved pointing. I gave up on it. I do not remember exactly why, but I did not get the improvement I'd hoped for.
by DaveC426913
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:12 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Tacking performance
Replies: 23
Views: 357

Re: Tacking performance

A common mistake is to try to get back to close-hauled immediately after coming through a tack. A better approach is to let the boat fall a little bit off close-hauled with the sails a bit looser than when close-hauled. Once you have regained boat speed, gradually trim up to close hauled (if that's...
by DaveC426913
Mon Mar 25, 2024 3:10 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Tacking performance
Replies: 23
Views: 357

Re: Tacking performance

Also, if you want to win races in your Mac, go on races in very light winds.
Light boats like Macs will whiz past those leaden-hulled monstrosities.
by DaveC426913
Sun Mar 24, 2024 6:53 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Re: Sound baffling for the motor

I was doing some maintenance this afternoon and had the engine running so I measured the sound level in the cockpit. It was between 35 and 42 dB at idle. My test tank does not have room to run the engine in gear with the prop on it so I did not test it at higher RPMs. I just drop mine in one of tho...
by DaveC426913
Fri Mar 15, 2024 10:50 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Re: Sound baffling for the motor

Not sure why the installer of your remote control did not rig it Ah. Well. Yours is opposite mine. My raise/lower button is on the outside, and there's only a 1/2 inch spacer in there. https://i.postimg.cc/CBYZ7DCd/throttle2.jpg Also, my wheel is wrapped in black (the white wrap turned grey real fa...
by DaveC426913
Thu Mar 14, 2024 5:55 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Re: Sound baffling for the motor

I would say that a loss of around 15% in your previous top speed should count as being significantly lower. Has something else changed that would account for the loss? Not sure I'd trust my testing technique, really. You said that your "throttle hits the pedestal before it can max out". E...
by DaveC426913
Sun Mar 10, 2024 8:39 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Re: Sound baffling for the motor

The BF50 is not a loud engine. At idle I can't hear it at all just a few feet away. Yeah. It's pretty quiet at idle. That is why I think the OP's problem is an engine that is revving higher that necessary for the speed he's doing. Surely that would be apparent in a less-than-optimal top-speed. If m...
by DaveC426913
Thu Feb 29, 2024 12:45 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Re: Sound baffling for the motor

Take the cover off the engine. If you see three carburetors it is a BF50A. If you see no carbs it is a BF50D. I don;t know what a carb on an outboard looks like but that loks more complicated than mone. You will find two numbers stamped either on the hub or on one of the blades of your propeller. T...
by DaveC426913
Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:29 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Re: Sound baffling for the motor

I have the BF40. It is, for the most part, a detuned version of your engine so my measurements should be applicable to your setup. For clarification, do you have a BF50A (3 carburetors) or the BF50D (fuel injected)? Do you know the specs on your prop? I don't know. But I can find out tonight when I...
by DaveC426913
Wed Feb 28, 2024 8:26 am
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Re: Sound baffling for the motor

NiceAft wrote: Tue Feb 27, 2024 6:55 pm This may sound strange, but the M’s captains seat sits appreciably higher than the X’s.
I've actually been thinking of modding my X's seat to have a low hump. I find the seat a bit low, and it would be nice to have a comfy spot when on a heel.
by DaveC426913
Tue Feb 27, 2024 5:08 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Re: Sound baffling for the motor

kept the RPM’s down, and with it, the overly loud noise, by keeping the speed to no more than 10 MPH (km/h). 10MPH? That's 8.5 knots. That's in the high range for me. (Full throttle for me is 11 knots). My top comfortable cruise speed is 7knots, and I keep it at 5 if I want to have my hearing recov...
by DaveC426913
Tue Feb 27, 2024 1:38 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: Sound baffling for the motor
Replies: 32
Views: 1305

Sound baffling for the motor

Has anyone tried any mods for quieting the motor? Honda BF50. I sit at the helm and motor a lot, and it can be quite exhausting to yell over the motor on a several hour trip. I tried cutting down a big Rubbermaid container and placing it in front of the motor to hopefully direct the sound sternward ...
by DaveC426913
Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:13 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: 14.7kn under Sail?
Replies: 35
Views: 2316

Re: 14.7kn under Sail?

Taurus pulling a Mac If I understand correctly, this isn't really far-fetched, is it? The Taurus was a 6-banger, was it not? And the rate-limiting factor for a tow vehicle is the tranny cooling, IIRC. I thought the Taurus could handle it. And no one said how far it had to be towed to be viable. If ...
by DaveC426913
Wed Jan 10, 2024 2:06 pm
Forum: MacGregor Powersailor Discussion
Topic: 14.7kn under Sail?
Replies: 35
Views: 2316

Re: 14.7kn under Sail?

kurz wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 8:04 am I wonder how many people believed him.
Dead men tell no tales.