2 kinds of sailors: those who have run aground, and those who will.

Great write up. Safe out and safe back is 90% of it. If you come back with all of your gear, that's 5% and if you're still married at the end of it, the other 5%. My 26s is not a performance pointer. Lots of small tweaks make a big difference. Vang, halyard tension, proper trim and so forth, and neg...

It took me a while to find the angle grinder cutting wheel, but once I did, I never looked back. I have also used it for some very delicate shaping work. For me, its about the only tool for the job.

I love my 26S. Had I to do it all over again, the only thing I would change is to buy the 26D. Simpler system and no CB trunk. Plus I would have a foil to mess with in the off season.

I am the guy who originally posted. I want to thank all of you who have presented a range of options. I really like Sum's solution. It is sort of a "soft traveller." I also like the double main sheet. In the end, the final solution may be the standard traveller because I would like to keep...

Having experience in high seas and high winds, my recommendation would be a decision based on 2 things, the design of the boat and the weather challenges. If you have a masthead rigged boat, your staysail is bigger and is responsible for more of the boat's power and heel. A fractional rigged boat li...

I have a very "Stock" MacGregor 26s. 1991. I am the second owner. I have attachment points for a boom vang. I also am finding that I could be pointing about 5 degrees higher if I had a traveller. Anyone with experience on this boat: with and without vang or with and without traveller? I am...

I have a 1991 26s in very nice shape. One sore spot is the trim piece that, I believe, covers the hull binding. Some previous owner clamped the motor over it and cracked it then spread a healthy helping of BOATLIFE over it. I would like to replace this trim piece. It is a horshshoe shaped piece abou...

Sperry Topsider makes an athletic deck shoe that is good for yachting. It is not a club shoe and it is not a dinghy sailor's boot. I am a big guy and I need traction between the shoe and the deck and the shoe and my foot so no hiking sandals or whatever. For me, low white socks, and my Sperrys. Wore...

Catalina 250 wing keel.

10-15

Man, if only every question in lifer were that easy.

My father died of cancer a couple of years ago at age 58. Your post reminds me a lot of that time. My mother was trying to decide whether to retire this year or stay and get a little extra pension. I told her that if Dad had the choice between time and money right now, I bet you I know which he'd pi...

One charge of the battery gets me through the season with my LED running and interior lights. I charge at the beginning and end of the season and a refresh mid winter. Our running lights go on an hour before dusk and off an hour after sunrise. Mast light goes on for motoring and mooring out for slee...

I hit a ships log with my keel once.

So, yesterday, on my 1990 Mac 26s we went out in 2-7 knot winds for the day. Around 11:00 am, I gave my wife the helm. She didn't want it, but she got it. Her first time on the helm and we are "beating" home in not very much wind. This post is to cover 3 points. 1. Someone on the forum sug...