Thanks for the comments everyone. I should have said it's a private ramp owned by the marina. I've never seen anyone use it so there won't be a queue behind me. I can ask them about the trees, but I think the issue might be that they own the ramp but the trees are owned by the council. Raising it at...

Thanks all for the comments. Took the plunge

Picked up a 26M recently, looking forward to getting it on the water. There's a little ramp by the marina where I'm getting a slip. But there are trees overhead so the only option to put the mast up is on the ramp itself. Am I likely to encounter any problems raising the mast with the boat tilted st...

I have a new tiller ready to install on my 26S, but it's been a year since I took the old one off before storing the boat, and I can't remember how it goes together. I've clamped the plates to the new tiller prior to drilling it, copying the hole locations on the old one. Two main issues: 1. The til...

Thanks for your comments everyone! Good to confirm how / when to use the ballast. Seems like ballast full is generally the answer, can still go plenty quicker than the S with it full. Good points about headroom / comfort, as the aim is to use it for camping fairly often. Sounds like the difference i...

I have a chance to buy a 26M locally, potentially for a good price, so am contemplating the upgrade from my 26S. Haven't sailed the S as much as I'd like but generally happy with it. The main (only?) benefit of the M would be the option to go faster under power. It would be a more expensive boat, a ...

Thanks for the tips everyone. I will certainly have a good look at the shrouds for damage. It's not while trailering that's the problem, just parked in the driveway for 4 months flapping around under a tarp. But yes, it blows in at 50kts up the strait pretty often over winter. My other stupid mistak...

Awesome, thanks. I was worried I'd made a very expensive mistake!

Ralph

Unwrapped her after a winter under a tarp and found some serious abrasions on the mast. This is the worst but not the only one. Not very deep but rather extensive. My guess is it was caused by the rough cables of standing rigging rubbing in the wind for months. Wish I'd known to lash this down with ...

I'm the proud new owner of a '93 26S, and I have quite a few questions! Baby stays I have a set of 6' long baby stays that came with the boat (not fitted). But they're too short to reach from the deck attachment points to the gin pole attachment point on the mast, hence the length of rope. I'm also ...

Thanks everyone! I assumed single-handing would be out of the question without a dock, but didn't want to miss some trick to make it work. Plenty of space for rigging in the parking lot, am aware of the protocol for not getting in the way. Thankfully the ramp is not often crazy busy. Sounds like cro...

I'm contemplating the purchase of a 26S or D, primarily to save serious $ on moorage. So I will be launching / retrieving often. This is my local boat ramp: https://visitorinvictoria.ca/wp-content/uploads/2015/11/Cattle-Pt-South-Boat-Ramp2_HDR.jpeg https://visitorinvictoria.ca/wp-content/uploads/201...

I'm considering purchasing a Macgregor, but would like to look over one without making a long trip to see one of the few listed for sale. Anyone in Victoria / south Vancouver Island mind showing me their boat? I'm looking at the 26 S or D, but an M or X is similar enough to give me a useful feel for...