Newbie questions

[tonto]

Hey all, I'm about 99% newbie to sailing, especially anything over 12 feet.

First off, is there any good websites y'all would recommend for various terms/vocabulary for sailboats? I don't mean sailing terms, I mean for physical parts of a sailboat. Like in-depth. I can google, but sometimes I can't find pictures or diagrams.

I ask because this dealer will be where I likely purchase a boat, and I want to look everything up to decide what/if I want as options, and I like going in with a full deck of cards knowing what the heck it is I'm buying.

http://www.supersail.com/macgregor-26m-price-sheet/

Now I don't want to discuss pricing options, that's not on topic here (I'll ask that later, heh), but on this list is there anything you would recommend as a "definitely do, you won't regret it" and a "you might want this, but if you don't get it it's easily added later by you (not a dealer) and a "you don't need this at all, unless you have money to burn"

Would you recommend anything not on that list to ask the dealer if it could be installed (same 3 categories as above)? As an example, I was going to ask and make sure that I have good cleats to tie up with my powered buddies in Party Coves, etc.

I live in the middle of the country (Kansas) and would sail only on lakes around the area. The chance of towing to any coast would be close to zero. I haven't paid much attention to winds (until recently - since we have a powered boat) but some days when it's white-capping (roughly 20-25mph typically) we see a lot of sailboats out while the powered boys stay in.

I would also use it as a mini camper, and I have a list of mods I'm keeping an eye on as well for winter projects.

[raycarlson]

you'll get many different opinions all conflicting each other. the only one i'll give is that due to your discription of where and who you'll be using the boat with, it looks might you might end up using it as a day cruiser more than a sailboat,( leaving mast and sails home) similar to me and the one thing i could kick myself for was not spending the extra 1500.00 and getting the nissan 90hp instead of the 50.it makes a world of difference.

[Tomfoolery]

Along the lines of what raycarlson just said, I use my as a day cruiser a lot. Plop it in the Erie Canal and go for a martini cruise with friends. Lots of places to stop for an ice cream or dinner. With some trailer improvements, it's a piece of cake to launch and retrieve.

Plop it back in Lake Ontario and pull my son on the wakeboard (really wish I had a 90 hp on it). I keep it in a slip there.

I probably motor more than I sail, though it's not because I like motoring more than sailing - it's because I'm no longer the only one interested in going out for a ride. Which is the whole reason I swapped out a keelboat for the . So far, it's working out very well. No regrets (well, I do miss my dock queen, but c'est la vie).

Oh, and I leave the mast on it for motorboat trips, but I disconnect the shrouds and wrap them up along with all the other lines. I pop the spreader caps (that clamp the shrouds) and remove the spreaders completely. I raise the mast crutch an extra foot with an extension, so it's well above head height in the cockpit. This leaves the decks clear on the two sides, and the mast provides a hand-hold. I made an angled wooden mount for a steaming light that bungies onto the mast so I'm legal at night (Davis Megalight with a pvc pipe coupler segment behind it, cut so it sweeps only the required 225 degrees forward).

[dlandersson]

Netflix has some very nice sailboat/sailing instructional DVDs.

Hey all, I'm about 99% newbie to sailing, especially anything over 12 feet.

First off, is there any good websites y'all would recommend for various terms/vocabulary for sailboats? I don't mean sailing terms, I mean for physical parts of a sailboat. Like in-depth. I can google, but sometimes I can't find pictures or diagrams.

I ask because this dealer will be where I likely purchase a boat, and I want to look everything up to decide what/if I want as options, and I like going in with a full deck of cards knowing what the heck it is I'm buying.

[tonto]

In the middle of the country, would you choose the jib option or the 150% genoa? Also, can you furl the genoa as well?

[tonto]

Netflix has some very nice sailboat/sailing instructional DVDs.

Hey all, I'm about 99% newbie to sailing, especially anything over 12 feet.

First off, is there any good websites y'all would recommend for various terms/vocabulary for sailboats? I don't mean sailing terms, I mean for physical parts of a sailboat. Like in-depth. I can google, but sometimes I can't find pictures or diagrams.

I ask because this dealer will be where I likely purchase a boat, and I want to look everything up to decide what/if I want as options, and I like going in with a full deck of cards knowing what the heck it is I'm buying.

What titles would you recommend for the DVDs? As a general rule I "get" how to sail, taught myself from a little 12foot boat I found while on vacation one summer, but it's the terms that throw me off, especially boat terms, and anything beyond the most basic.

[kevinnem]

I lurked on the board quite awhile before I bought my used 26x this year.

some things to consider, new VS used. (if used new M vs old M vs X)

I think the number 1 "disappointment" is going with too small an engine.
I would get roller fullering, and the "uv protection strip" or what ever it is called for the head sail.

Genoa VS jib. -- I use genoa because I live the look - the jib is better for high wind, and pointing higher ( I am told).

topping lift would be worth it to keep the boom out of the way.

You could wait to get the spiniker and other head sail until later, if you wish.

You don't have to get everything from the factory, there are 3rd party groups that can make stuff for you.

Consider the "investment" in a sailing course, that focus on cruisers.

[MAC-A-TAC]

Hello tonto,

The following book was a good primer for me and I still refer back to it at times, and at under thirty dollars it's easy on the wallet.
"The Complete Sailing Manual, Third Edition by DK Publishing and Steve Sleight"

MAC Out.

[dive4it]

What titles would you recommend for the DVDs? As a general rule I "get" how to sail, taught myself from a little 12foot boat I found while on vacation one summer, but it's the terms that throw me off, especially boat terms, and anything beyond the most basic.[/quote]


I got a number of sailing videos from Netflix, all of them were ok but the one that really stands out is with this girl from New Zealand....I put it in my overhead DVD player on my if I have newbie passengers that want to learn how to sail, that way as I'm motoring out of a big harbor, they can get the basics down right before we set sail. She moves very quickly and you can tell that she's taught over a million times. Her voice is a little annoying but she seams to really know her stuff and the audience gains a lot in a really short time. I found a quick teaser on Youtube so you can see if you can stand her long enough to watch the whole video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vfVIoM0VIkA . Let me know what you think.

JT

[ualpow]

I have the Penny Whiting - Learning to Sail DVD and it is one of my favorites. She explains the basics very well and has a great way of remembering how to trim your sails on different points of sail.

[Russ]

http://sailing.about.com/od/introductio ... -Terms.htm

http://www.discoverboating.com/resource ... spx?id=243

Lots of advise on what to buy. What are your skills in doing things yourself?

Some absolute musts for me that you want to start with:

Bimini - Gotta get out of the sun. You need this.
Big enough motor - as mentioned above. Nothing smaller than 50. My 70 serves me fine.
Roller furling jib/genoa - Just because you don't want to be up on the deck pulling up sails. I have both jib and Genoa. The genny can be furled into a small sail if I want. If white caps are typical, go with the jib. I fire up the motor when white caps begin.
Hull color - I have blue. It's a vanity thing. I like the color. It does get a bit hotter in the summer, but it looks purdy. White is more practical. Those new black hulls look sharp.
Anchor, chain and line - you need at least one, a backup is nice also. If not from the dealer, buy one online or locally. You need this.
Boarding ladder - getting on from the water is difficult. Dealer install will make your life better
cockpit cushions - I guess you don't need them, but sitting on a hard seat is not pleasant
Second Battery - If you are doing more than day sailing, you need this. Also a combiner to charge it would be nice. Shore power is only good if you are tied to a marina and need power at an outlet below. In my driveway, I run an extension cord into the cabin.
Stern rail seats - I love 'em. They really should be standard equipment. Very nice.
Chartplotter - Although you don't really need this, it's is the one thing I find myself looking at a zillion times a day. Plus you will get depth which is helpful
The halyard led to cockpit is nice but honestly I find myself up on deck anyway to unhook the sail so why not just pull it up from there.
Topping lift - keeps the boom off the deck when not sailing. Can be done yourself very easily though, just have one before you go out the first time.
VHF radio isn't important for lake sailing. Get a handheld deal for $75
Mast raising kit - This is non-negotiable. You NEED this
Main sail cover - sunlight will ruin your sail. Get this.
Trailer brakes - Just get them, even if you are towing locally. Safety is worth it.

If you are handy, most everything else can be done after dealer.

If you plan on leaving it in the water all summer and never pulling it out, bottom paint might be a good idea.

[tonto]

Thanks for those tips. White-caps aren't necessarily common, per se, but here in Kansas we have a lot of wind... it seems it's either really calm (like 5 or less) about 40% of the time or 20+ mph 45% of the time, with only a few days in between the rest of the time. But like I said I don't usually pay attention to wind until recently... with my powered boat all I care about is which way it's coming from, so I know which cove to drop anchor in.

I am sort-of hand with hardware, etc, so I'm not afraid to install things. When I have to drill a hole in my hull I usually stare at it for about 30 minutes drinking a beer talking myself into it, and then finally do it.

If wife permits the purchase I was thinking about getting both the jib and genoa, but I am thinking (from reading and research) that my wife would probably be happier with a genoa for the low wind days.. gotta keep her happy. But I defer here to you guys for the best initial decision. Is it hard to change from a jib to a genoa? I mean is it the same hardware, but just changing a sail? Or is it more in-depth than that?

Also, does anyone know the weight limit for the stern seats? I can top out at 240 on a good day, but more often around 230. Some of my guests could be similar, so what will those hold?

[Russ]

Winds are same here. Either light to nothing or pick up to white caps. Like I said, I do not enjoy being out in white caps. Macs are lightweight boats and don't do well in those conditions, although some guys here seem to fare well. I'm happier to not play in that stuff.

A roller furling sail is difficult to change out on the water. I will furl "reef" my genoa to a smaller sail until it's too windy for me to be out. The larger sail is more work to deal with because of the size.

I'll come back and tell friend, "It was too windy to sail." and they don't get it. "I thought you wanted a lot of wind." I say, "Think kite. Would you fly a kite in gusty wind?"

These boats are fairly easy to work on. Drilling holes etc. I prefer the custom stuff to be done by experienced dealers. Stuff like boarding ladders and biminis.

My stern seats are from my dealer (Blue Water Yachts) and they are VERY sturdy. A lot stronger than most stand alone chairs you might bring to a picnic. I stand and bounce on them all the time. Our BBQ grill is mounted on one and dinghy outboard on the other. You will be able to sit on them fine. The downside is the weight you put on them is extremely far back and out, so it will affect the boat's balance. These boats are made to be trailerable and are very light. So body weight on board may need to be shifted around to balance things out.

You mentioned cleats. The factory cleats on my '08 are plenty strong and solid metal. I assume they are the same. Oh, but if you want to raft up, get some fenders.

Potty - We have a 5gal porta potty. It really works better than I expected. Coming from a holding tank boat, it was an adjustment, but it's not that bad if you use good chemicals.


Here's a video from last week to get you primed
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yIXFb7GGeTs
--Russ

[captronr]

Hi Tonto,

Another KS Mac owner here...................

Our used X came with the jib. On light wind days we couldn't go anywhere, so I bought a used 150 genny. Doubt that I ever put the jib back on. We have the CDI roller furling, so on windy days, we just crank it in a bit or a lot.

Needing to get our X back in the water, but the heat is killing me.

Where do you plan to sail it? We sail our primarily at Grand Lake, OK or El Dorado. Twice we've gone to Lake Havasu, AZ in Feb--that's the nicest sailing water we've been on!

Best wishes,
Ron

[tonto]

Speaking of porta-potties, do they make a pump-out version? Our marina has a pump-out station, and I'd like to be able to use that if it will help, is more convenient, allows for more "crap", etc, etc?