New owner Qs

[tom]

G'day all!
I'm a new (and proud) owner of a Macgregor 26x and whilst not new to sailing, I am very new to trailer sailers...took her out on the water yesterday to go through the main things and I was wondering if you can provide some insight as to whats going on (with thanks in advance:))
1. Mast stays....there seems to be no backstay to the mast and forestay is rope (which runs through mast and out to the cockpit) as opposed to wire...is this the correct setup?
2. Furling headsail is also on a sheet setup not on wire (I mean sheet from top of headsail running down to deck) so when furling or unfurling I would need to release this sheet?
3. Keel...it seems there is only about a 3 foot (maybe even less) of length to drop the keel...but how do I know its in position or dropped....I can hear the bang when she goes up so I know its up but no indication when dropped...also if thats the only system, how do I know the keel will stay in place..is it weight alone?
4. Main sheet...at the moment its just a screwed in eyelet on the steering post...is this standard?
5. Steering...when under sail it seems the steering is very very heavy, particularly when trying to tack under low speed...again is that a normal issue with a trailer sailer/macgregor or something that I need to look at....they seem fine and workable out of water

Thank you again for any insight, its probably a typical setup for a trailer sailer but would appreciate any feedback suggestions

[kmclemore]

Sorry if this is a re-post, but for some reason I can't see my initial post...

!	kmclemore:
	Hi, Tom. First posts by new members must be approved by the moderators. This helps to prevent spammers from posting garbage in our forums. I've approved your post here and deleted the other duplicate posting. Carry on!

[tom]

Thank you, could you also enable my access to regional (ie Australian) forum please cheers!

[Boblee]

Don't have a but thought they had a backstay, the doesn't.

[tom]

I would typically say ofcourse it has to have a backstay, but there seems to be no provision for it on top of the mast...just one wire about the right length for the boom...thats it...

[dlandersson]

Tom,

First off, you haf'ta buy the pizza.

If you include your location in your signature, you will likely find another owner you can visit.

You should have a backstay that is attached off the starboard rear. You can download an owners manual if you wish. My forestay is wire.

The swing keel (should) fill with water when it is dropped. There is no "bump" or "click" when it is dropped.

Dave

G'day all!
I'm a new (and proud) owner of a Macgregor 26x and whilst not new to sailing, I am very new to trailer sailers...took her out on the water yesterday to go through the main things and I was wondering if you can provide some insight as to whats going on (with thanks in advance:))
1. Mast stays....there seems to be no backstay to the mast and forestay is rope (which runs through mast and out to the cockpit) as opposed to wire...is this the correct setup?
2. Furling headsail is also on a sheet setup not on wire (I mean sheet from top of headsail running down to deck) so when furling or unfurling I would need to release this sheet?
3. Keel...it seems there is only about a 3 foot (maybe even less) of length to drop the keel...but how do I know its in position or dropped....I can hear the bang when she goes up so I know its up but no indication when dropped...also if thats the only system, how do I know the keel will stay in place..is it weight alone?
4. Main sheet...at the moment its just a screwed in eyelet on the steering post...is this standard?
5. Steering...when under sail it seems the steering is very very heavy, particularly when trying to tack under low speed...again is that a normal issue with a trailer sailer/macgregor or something that I need to look at....they seem fine and workable out of water

Thank you again for any insight, its probably a typical setup for a trailer sailer but would appreciate any feedback suggestions

[Tomfoolery]

Welcome to the forum, and make mine pepperoni.

As suggested, a location (major city is fine) lets folks know what kind of sailing you're doing, which can be important to answering questions. Putting the engine make and hp is also pretty helpful, and the boat's name if she has one (just-because). Saves a lot of 'what engine do you have?' type questions in response to your questions going forward.

1) Say what? The normal forestay is 1/8 (an upgraded 5/32 is now available) 1x19 SS wire rope with a male turnbuckle fitting swaged onto the bottom end, and an eye for the mast hound end. That's the roller furler headstay. BWY p/n 3104-1X0. It attaches at the top to a mast hound where the shrouds attach to the mast, all on a common bolt.

2) I don't know what that means, I'm afraid. The jib or genoa sheet simply wraps around the furled headsail for a few turns once the sail is rolled up, but that's the only interaction between the sheets and the headsail furling.

3) The keel line only moves a couple or few feet, as the attachment is relatively close to the pivot. Put a mark on the line where it passes through the cam cleat when it's full up, and a stopper knot with a short tail at the cam cleat when it's down so you'll know when it's full up and full down. Gravity keeps it down, but it will kick up if you scrape bottom (the M boats have dagger boards that slide straight up and down, and can't kick up).

4) The eye strap at the helm is standard, but I have a helm guard with a main sheet attachment loop on top that's available from BWY.

5) Steering is heavier with the OB attached to the steering. BWY has a quick-disconnect kit to allow you to remove and lock the engine so the steering only works the rudders.

Tacking is another story - the boat is so light for its size that coming about can be tricky, as you'll lose speed during the maneuver. One thing that helps hugely is to allow the headsail to backwind until the bow has come around almost far enough, then cut the sheet loose and take up the other one. Let the headsail push the bow around. If you don't (ever) cut the sheet loose, you'll be hove-to (with the rudders turned), which is how you stop with the sails up and the wind blowing, by the way.

The original manual shows most of this stuff, but I don't have it on this computer. Perhaps someone else does, or a link to it.

Oh, and BWY is Bluewater Yachts, a major parts supplier for these boats, and an advertiser on this forum. http://www.bwyachts.com

[Tomfoolery]

I forgot about this, but the manuals for various vintages are available by going to the top of this screen and hovering over the Resources drop-down.

[Hamin' X]

The Australia forum is open to all, but you must join. Do this by going to your User Control Panel (in the light blue band above) and clicking on the Usergroups tab, then join the groups that you desire. At a minimum, I suggest the Front Room, which is used for a lot of off topic discussions.

While you are in your UCP, you can update your profile with your location.

Welcome aboard,

~Rich

[dlandersson]

Now, as I understrand it, "down under" everything we just said is backwards? (from the wedding crashers).

The Australia forum is open to all, but you must join. Do this by going to your User Control Panel (in the light blue band above) and clicking on the Usergroups tab, then join the groups that you desire. At a minimum, I suggest the Front Room, which is used for a lot of off topic discussions.

While you are in your UCP, you can update your profile with your location.

Welcome aboard,

~Rich

[Russ]

1. Mast stays....there seems to be no backstay to the mast and forestay is rope (which runs through mast and out to the cockpit) as opposed to wire...is this the correct setup?

Hmm.. are you sure it's an X? The M doesn't have a backstay.
Forestay is not a rope. As you have mentioned, it should most definitely be a cable.
Interesting that you have something running through the mast. Some photos might assist here. This doesn't sound standard at all.

2. Furling headsail is also on a sheet setup not on wire (I mean sheet from top of headsail running down to deck) so when furling or unfurling I would need to release this sheet?

Again, a photo might help. This makes no sense. The furler should be attached to the wire headstay as you stated above. Are you sure it's a true furler? A furling system wraps around the headstay (or another stay) and is a track that the sail slides into and wraps around. A drum at the base has a line that is used to furl it back in like a window shade. What you are describing sounds nothing like this.

3. Keel...it seems there is only about a 3 foot (maybe even less) of length to drop the keel...but how do I know its in position or dropped....I can hear the bang when she goes up so I know its up but no indication when dropped...also if thats the only system, how do I know the keel will stay in place..is it weight alone?

The X has a center board and I believe 3' is probably the right amount of travel. ( have an M and it doesn't go down that far. It's not a keel. It's a fin made out of fiberglass. The weight of the board drops it and I believe there are holes to allow water to fill it. It's not weighted.



Go here and download the correct manual for your boat
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/manuals/index.php

4. Main sheet...at the moment its just a screwed in eyelet on the steering post...is this standard?

Yes.

5. Steering...when under sail it seems the steering is very very heavy, particularly when trying to tack under low speed...again is that a normal issue with a trailer sailer/macgregor or something that I need to look at....they seem fine and workable out of water

As mentioned above. Is the motor still attached. That can cause a lot of weight, especially if tilted up.
If not, you may have something more serious going on. You should provide more details.

Thank you again for any insight, its probably a typical setup for a trailer sailer but would appreciate any feedback suggestions

My first concern is your rig. Sailing without a backstay is really scary. It holds the mast up. I don't see how you could be doing this. My only guess based on your comments is someone has seriously modified your rig. Maybe not the original mast and converted it to something similar to an M. No wire forestay, unusual furler. I'm sure I'm not alone in wanting to know more about your rig setup. The fact that you sailed it this way and it didn't fall down makes me believe you have an unusual setup.

If you could post some pictures or more details, there are folks here that might be able to help.

Sounds like you are down under. We have a great Aussie membership here. Some might even be close to you.

--Russ

[tom]

Hi All,
Thank you for the very informative input...I'm located near Sydney, NSW Australia. The boat is definitely a 26x from 1997, with a 50hp yamaha four stroke outboard but the rig I'm not sure about...I will take some pics today and post to show all....I have indeed sailed her that way and mast seemed secure (famous last words lol)...it baffled me too!

As to the furling system...it is a typical drum setup and the top roller is connected to a wire stay (as per usual setup) but then at the tope the wire is connected to a rope which runs inside the mast and out the bottom (on my yacht all lines lead aft)....so thats unusual...and when rigged, the headsail stay is not terribly taunt...need to tighten this rope to get it taunt.

As to forestay, again there seems to be no wire forestay just another rope which again runs into the mast etc....(after thinking about it id say it to be a spinnaker sheet).....so the only forestay is the furling headsail one.....which again is not my usual...

How does the M series achieve rigged mast without a backstay? Incidently I have had an answer from the previous owner to say that it never had a backstay...hmmmm....

[dlandersson]

Ze exam vill be tomorrow. Pass/Fail.

Failures vill be shot. Ze survivors vill be shot AGAIN!!!

Go here and download the correct manual for your boat
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/manuals/index.php

[Russ]

How does the M series achieve rigged mast without a backstay? Incidently I have had an answer from the previous owner to say that it never had a backstay...hmmmm....

The M uses spreaders raked aft similar to this photo. The spreaders are aft of the mast and provide the support for the mast.



It really sounds like your mast is not OEM. I've never heard of internal halyards on a Mac. It's a great idea, but I've never seen it.
So what you are describing is some kind of forestay/furler with an internal halyard securing it. Why would you want to adjust your headstay once the mast is raised. It really seems like someone took another mast and put it on a Mac.

BTW, how does your mast attach to the deck? Do you have a pin that pivot it so it can be raised? And do you use a mast raising pole to lift it?

If your mast is rigged like above, your spreaders should be raked aft and attached further aft of the mast to the hull.

Page 9 of the 26X manual shows a backstay adjuster. Page 5 shows where it attaches to the mast. I have an M, but there is an X on my dock and I've seen this.
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/manuals ... l_2002.pdf

[Tempus]

The doesn't have an aft stay because the side stays mount aft of the mast foot, providing both the required lateral and longitudinal stability. Our forestay (with furler) is a bit 'loose', but that's what you get with the design...I see no way of tensioning the forestay once the mast is up.