tales and tribulations of a noob.

[yukonbob]

First off the drum on your furler needs to about three inches lower and the furling line goes through the window in the metal guard (the lack round thingie goes inside the round metal thingie) Just because the tilt works doesn't mean the battery can crank the engine over. Get a battery tester and check...maybe the alt isn't putting out enough or any juice...Also had a similar issue this spring, there was a little water in the lines or the tank. It started just fine, but when i shut it off it didn't want to turn over, and after a bunch of tries the battery didn't have enough juice so it was a double whammy...wet spark plugs and a low battery. So i took out the plugs dried them and the cylinders out charged the battery then all was good. Simple and worth trying

[yukonbob]

Ahh I re read the the post about the furler...there should be a small diameter line running through the luff of the furler (grey plastic thingie the sail slides into) there should be a loop on the end of it (if not make one) and there is a spot on the drum to attach the line by means of a very small shackle (i believe mmm nope pretty sure its a shackle) This will keep your luff from sliding up the forestay and the pin about 6-8 inches up will stop it from sliding down. Hope that helps and Im accurate as this is completely from memory

[kevinnem]

If it doesn't crank at all, I'd look at fuses and such. I left the safety kill lanyard off once and it wouldn't start, but at least cranked.

Does it make any sounds when you turn the key on?

I am not aware of a "safety kill switch" or any other item. I used only the key, - any idea were this would be , or if my engine even has one?

I have been searching for a manual, but can't find one one line.

[kevinnem]

Sorry if I am being a bit dense here, but I still don't understand what stops the whole furler luff from moving up and down the forestay.

Firstly, consider that the sail and all the halyards are run within the luff. the luff is attached to the black drum at the bottom and the fuller line is attached to the drum (aka everything is all attached to each other). I can shift this whole unit (the line, drum, halyards, sail, and luff) up and down the forestay, I think this is to some degree intended. You need to be able to attache the turnbuckle at the bottom when installing, as well as be able to adjust it. The Silver cup is attached to the deck on the bottom 1/2 of the turnbuckle it cannot slide up. I can shift the unit up and down a number of inchs, .. maybe 6. So were I get confused is that what is to stop the whole unit from sliding up and out of the silver cup, as shown on the photos? Gravity? is there a line that "holds" it down? If so it seems that it would get tangled, and spin when you furlered.

I suspect I don't have the exact CDI model currently listed on the website, I don't think I have all the pins ect. I do have a number of parts that seem to function the same.

It occurs to me that there is an important diffidence I am dealing with, all the photos I found show the drum moving up and down the luff. I I remember right, mine doesn't do this, the luff goes about 1/2 way down the drum and sits on a lip.

Maybe the unit is too short, and I need to push the luff out of the drum somehow, and put that pin in , (I don't think I remember seeing the pin).

[kevinnem]

Oh yea, and RE: swing keel - OTHER then the line that comes out of the top of the cabin, and leads to the cockpit; is there a locking pin or some other thing that needs to be dealt with before that keal will drop?.

Kev.

[Catigale]

There is a pin tht goes through the cup that holds the extrusion up and prevents it from sliding down

On the , the CB rests in a hanger whichbolts to the top of the centreboard trunk

[kevinnem]

CAt- thanks for the info! on closer inspection, I think I do have something very like the ones you all have, except I don't have any shackle system. I DO! have the pin system though, and I think a lot of the issues were cause form the grey luff piece sliding down in to the black drum piece, once hoisted up and pining, it made the unit about 4 inch, or more longer.

So another outing, and therefore more stories. I went back out yesterday, with my buddy Kurits, and is girlfriend Tanya. the ramp was busy, and this is the last thing I wanted being a noob. anyway, we got the beast in the water (I really need to think up a launching procedure, with set ropes ect.). The engine started right away, but was not sounding very good, and it stalled a few times ( again ) We pulled the cover off of the evenrude 50 1996, and noticed that at the shipward side of the engine there are 3 carbs, they are activated by a push rod that uses a small friction fit connection. Well the top 2 of them were UNHOOKED! So as I added gas, it was only 1 of the 3 carbs opening up. I have to admit, find this problem and doing the 30 second fix felt good, kind of like a win, just when I needed it.

Things were then to go down hill. We tried to lower the keel, but it would have non of it. It was still stuck up, there is clearly jammed in the truck (from my inspection on land) It almost seems like it is "twisted" in there. With the engine running, we decided to go bounce on some wake to see if we could "encourage" it to come down, I did so as best I could to no avail. We were in the middle of ghost lake doing this, when the engine died. it took a few mins to convince it to start up again, and we headed back. it died again about 2/3 of the way back. The wind was pushing us away form the marina, toward the dam, and with no keel I can't sail, and with no engine I can move, and a paddle --- what is that going to do? I am not going to lie to you, I freaked out - I was at about level 6/10 in the panic scale, the lake was empty, the dam was about 300 yards away and we were coasting right for it. depth was 90+ feet I chose not to deploy an anchor cause I don't even know how much rode I have, and being that I was approaching a dam, who knows what is down there....

Then fortunately boat came out from the far side, were a bridge is located, power boat, likely guys off going skiing. we waved at them with out paddle and they were coming toward us, I was relieved! Right up until the point they turned up lake - and left my me, boat and friends to drift toward the dam. I guess they were just not aware that we were in trouble, I am sure they saw us, but I don't thing it registered in there head there was an issue. back to panic mode. I was even thinking that may if I put the engine in gear, and use the starter motor, then the prop would turn and that might help. Turns out that starter motor will not run if in gear. tried to paddle a little bit, it seemed to do nothing. It was a boat returning to the dock that came to offer assistance, my this point my only though was just how big the dam was starting to appear. A nice couple, Dave and Gale offered us the needed tow back to the dock. It surprised me that I had to steer us back, I thought it would have just sort of followed the power boat back. but with a single rudder in the water, it worked fine. Great full for the re assistance, it was time to pack up. the ramp was busy, and so again, our noob-ness was front and center. As we were lining the boat up with the trailer, Tanya gave me a gentle push sideward. "KEER-PLUNK-THUMP" We- all stop dead - even people on the far side of the ramp ...

Tanya: "ummm what was that sound??? "
Kevin: "I think that was the keel going down"
Kurtis "Cool, so that is what you were trying to do."

I was able to move the board up and down twice, but it jammed again on the third time, that was okay because we were pulling out anyway.

We got back to the parking spot for the boat and dropped it, and noticed as we were cleaning up and packing up that the fuel line connection at the engine end was almost falling off! It is likely that this was a large part of the issue we were having on-the-water. This is the second time this convection has been found loose. I suspect that either the "locking" part of it is ware out - or as I get on and off of the boat my leg "opens" the lock up.

Conclusions:

I will say that owning a sailboat is more work then I thought it would be. I did buy an older boat, and expect issues, but still I am somewhat frustrated that I have yet to be able to use it. none-the-less I find a level of enjoyment with messing around with these things. We did have some limited successes, for example, we have proven that the keel will come down, from my examination of it on land before we launched I notice that both the board, and truck have a "dirt" on them that needs to be sanded off, this might be the whole cause of this issue, it also might however be that for some reason I have a friction fit of the board in the trunk, for some reason or another. Either way, it sounds like dropping the keel might be in my future, hopefully it will not be to had of a proposition. The engine might very well run better now that we have the carb issue, and the this fuel line issue figured out. Next time I take it out however I will likely do it on a weekend with plenty of other boats on the water. also, time to get a marine radio, and the certification papers to use it (though I don't know of how much use this will be on ghost lake).

please let me know if you have any comments, or advise. Thank you all for your continued support.

[robbarnes1965]

The only problem I have ever had with my engine - and sadly it was not just once - was with me forgetting to open the vent on the gas tank. It starts and then dies always at a critical time of course.

When in doubt about the engine, have your anchor rigged and ready (bitter end attached to a cleat with at least 3X scope flaked on deck for a temporary stop) to throw overboard. I have often forgotten I have an anchor in a panic

I don't have the swing keel so I will defer to others. As for the rest, you will get to know your boat and have a great time very quickly. Stick it out.

ROb

[Catigale]

Tanya gave me a genital push sideward.

I have often wondered what happens if you come up to a dam with some water going over it in a Mac - with a foot of draught you should stay on the right side, but Im sure not going to try....

[robbarnes1965]

Tanya gave me a genital push sideward.

I have often wondered what happens if you come up to a dam with some water going over it in a Mac - with a foot of draught you should stay on the right side, but Im sure not going to try....

I let that slide but I knew someone would note it

[133bhp]

I will say that owning a sailboat is more work then I thought it would be. .

your not wrong! - and I personally was aiming for slow stress free fun having given up motrorbike racing as well! I;ll take the latter over heading for a dam though (gulp! )

Good post though as its the cock ups etc (screw ups ) that are encouraging to read for others like myself. Clicking into place more and more but time spent dicking around versus actuall sailing are inversely proptortional at the moment.

one by prodcut is: In retospect I'me less awestruck by huge deep keeled yaghts as think they;'ve probaly got it easy in many ways over us. Great feeling when goes right though.

[capt grumpypants]

Hi Kevinnem and others,

Our experience had been that getting and using our follows an S-curve...Rising excitement when shopping, going out for a test sail, and buying, peaking at the first time in the water on your own. Then follows a ride down the slope, with hard setups (at least harder than the sales video showed and that others have found), poor days out (light air or howling wind), engine gremlins, and special issues (Like a centerboard not dropping).

We have been out 3 times on our own, two times pleasant and the last time dissapointing.

Our hope and expectation, based in part on from folks in this group, is that the roller coaster will flatten out and then rise into regular enjoyment with experience. We also think that we would like this better if we had more practice trailering and launching, or if we had the boat in a wet slip (part of me is saying, wait for a whole different set of problems then, buddy...after all, I am a grumpypants) or both.

The anchor readiness advice from Rob is spot-on. Also have a signalling device or flag on board and learn how to use it in distress situations, it may keep another boat from pulling away from you at the wrong time. There are comments on centerboard issues in this forum, so a search will help.

We are going to keep at it, because when it's good out on the water that experience becomes all there is (and when it is bad, it is horrid). Practice practice practice...and fair sailing to you.

James

[robbarnes1965]

James, if a wet slip or mooring is available to you, it's worth it!

I don't have a place to store a boat on land so a wet slip was an obvious choice. Casting off and sailing is so much more pleasant. Moorings are easiest but a dock makes loading and unloading great. A club/marina also has the advantage of other boaters nearby with lots of ideas. It depends on what's available. I never did get to fine tune my setup and take down process but it seems others have made it look like a breeze.

If the actual sailing part is contributing to problems, consider racing 1 day a week at a local sailing club. I resisted it for years and started this season. In a few weeks I think I learned more about sailing than in the last 5 years with the Mac. Being crew on a similar sized boat with a more experienced skipper will teach you a lot as well as force you to go out in all types of weather.

[Whipsyjac]

I'm not quite ready to write a post about the Maiden Voyage of the Whipsyjac last week but your thread title would be spot on Your furler drum looks just like mine except I can't see your pin. Mine has a pin through the black drum that holds it down on the furler, I have to pull up on the furled sail to get the pin in after which the black drum cannot rise out of the stainless cup. Like you I am also finding some odd rigging changes by previous owners as well as gremlins in my 1996 outboard. It's great to have a place like this where questions are answered(with pictures even). Good luck and enjoy!

Willy