I also have the zippered sunbrella sock...it came with the boat. Works very nice. One other small potential issue is the halyard for raising/lowering the sock occassionally gets wrapped around the sail as it furls. Happened more in my early days of using it but now that I am aware and watch for this it rarely happens. But something to consider.
I also agree with Hardcrab on the issue of trying to keep the furler straight while the mast is down. My boat was in dry storage in Florida for 17+ months (Jul 07 - Dec 08) and I developed a kink where the furler went over/around the spreader bracket.
Here is a pic I took this past December on a beautiful "Chamber of Commerce Day" on the St. John's River in Jacksonville, FL. You can see some bends/kinks in the furler. Didn't effect my sailing and unless you are looking for it you really won't notice. And I think they will work their way out over time when I have the sails flying on a nice warm day.
For future "long term" storage I may look into doing what Hardcrab recommended and removing the furler and storing it down below.
1. 2:1 pulleys on the daggerboard and the rudders
2. A marlin board, for easier access.
3. A complete electrical system.
When Roger can take note of and install some or even all of the improvements that owners find the 26 needs, he will really have a winner. A good product made even better.
puggsy wrote:1. 2:1 pulleys on the daggerboard and the rudders
2. A marlin board, for easier access.
3. A complete electrical system.
When Roger can take note of and install some or even all of the improvements that owners find the 26 needs, he will really have a winner. A good product made even better.
Puggsy they are now doing just that, to a limited extent as an option ...But I imagine most boats are being sold bare bones as always.
puggsy wrote:1. 2:1 pulleys on the daggerboard and the rudders
2. A marlin board, for easier access.
3. A complete electrical system.
When Roger can take note of and install some or even all of the improvements that owners find the 26 needs, he will really have a winner. A good product made even better.
whats wrong with the electrical system? It is adequet for the boat. Marine wire and everything. I did opt to change the fuse box, but the wiring itself is more than acceptable.
Paul S. I believe what the boys down under call a Marlin board we call a swim platform... Your correct IMO the bare bones electric is fine if you only desire bare bones.
On another note ????
Do you fellows think that Mac owners who are not members here, modify their boats as much as we do?
Our boat came well setup with dodger and fully enclosed bimini, a 30 amp service ,TV VCR , grill w/1.5 gal tank except for :
1. 3 reef Quick Reefing system with lines to the cockpit in pockets on the boom.
2. Addition of 2 spinnakers and hardware ( a A-spinnaker and a down wind racing one with pole) additional mast hound, ratchet blocks and cam cleats, 8 inch extension anchor roller with a pulley for an adjustable tack line back to the cockpit.
3. A 4 to 1 on our weighted dagger board
Function and Comfort
Last edited by bubba on Mon Jun 01, 2009 5:25 pm, edited 1 time in total.
bubba wrote:Our boat came well setup with dodger and fully enclosed bimini ,TV VCR , grill w/1.5 gal tank except for :
1. 3 reef Quick Reefing system with lines to the cockpit in pockets on the boom.
2. Addition of 2 spinnakers and hardware ( a A-spinnaker and a down wind racing one with pole) additional mast hound, ratchet blocks and cam cleats, 8 inch extension anchor roller with a pulley for an adjustable tack line back to the cockpit.
3. A 4 to 1 on our weighted dagger board
Function and Comfort
Bubba was that new boat sitting on the show room floor, so to speak?
No it was 6 months old and had been the boat show special with BWYs supercruser package, the owners got scared in 30 mph breezes and there house intrest went to 14% so they lost about 20 grand in 6 months and we got a deal by having cash. I bought it thru BWYs .
Hi BB Congrats on your new boat. Phil's additions do make life quite easy but the best 3 mods that I have done to make the Mac work better or rather more smoothly especially for a single day at a time sailer are the ballast vent into the anchor locker, blocks on the rudder lifting system and drilling holes through every bolt that had to be undone and done up in the rigging/de-rigging process and replacing the nuts with pins. This includes the motor linkage pins as well
Cheers Nick
The first mod I would do in hindsight is extending my guide post and adding a second set for a total of four post on the trailer. Makes for easier loading and can save you the dings and scratches that I have earned.
The second thing would be to make a two piece lexan glass hatch cover. So that you save your knees and legs from the dings and scratches from trying to handle that monster hatch cover.
Third I would get a Hammock tied from the forestay to the mast. This is my favorite. Not really a mod but I enjoy it the most.
So many great suggestions already, but one we did on our "X" has little to do with sailing, but it definately adds to cabin comfort (view). We had a tint lexan hatch cut to the specs of the original hatch...and the added cabin light & view make it a great deal more comfortable. A stainless handle is easily added, and we used the stainless lock system from the original hatch...it all works well.
Now that I have been out a few times this season and made some more mods I have a new top 3.
Poor Man's Autopilot and Garhauer Swivel Cam Cleats from Kelly Hanson marine. Both make single handing MUCH easier and are cheap, simple mods. I had the single handing package added from the dealer that led lines aft but the track mounted cam cleats really bring the control for your jib back to the pedestal when mounted on the genoa tracks.
The third was adding a furling main to the factory furling jib/genoa. No leaving the cockpit makes sailing with my 3 year-old much safer. Endless reefing possibilities in a pinch.
Rob
P.s.: I stole an idea from Quebec1 and added great hooks from Canadian Tire (mods section - "rope locker"). They were actually cheaper ($5.99) and installed in 10 seconds.
James V wrote:I should have added curtians if staying in a marina.
Hey James V. good to see you!
My first mod was prepping and cleaning the bilge area. do a search, the post was titled" drawing first blood- bilge cleanup.
Definately check your steering bolts to quiet them down and make sure you are happy with the steering travel. Origionally mine couldn't turn right without the wind helping. I bent the main steering bar that comes out the transom to fix it.
26 needs, he will really have a winner. A good product made even better.
