New to forum

[FlashGumby]

I've been lurking for a while, convinced that I *need* a , as I live on a fairly shallow canal with 3 fixed bridges between home and the Intracoastal.

I've been in negotiations 3 times and missed a couple of nice opportunities below the Admiral's price-cap, but as I said to the last seller, the price was always too high or the timing was wrong.

Last weekend, both the price and the timing worked out, and I took a 1900 mile trek with the kids to bring the Silver Lining (originally a Mass resident, then North Carolina) home to South Florida from Tennessee.

I've seen a couple of 26's when out on the water here. Any locals to N. Broward/S. Palm on the forum? We have an appointment with Disney this weekend, but I'm sure that I'll have some questions starting next weekend as I start trying to figure out how to rig her.

(First question would have to do with finding a thread with the slickest procedure for stepping the mast while underway. I have the 19's mast raising (block and tackle) system, but assume that it's been improved on, since Mac improved upon the B&T in the later 26-footers.)

Hope she's as fun to live with as she looks like she'll be!

-Scott

[SENCMac26x]

Welcome to the board and congratulations on the new boat. This is a great group and there is a lot of knowledge shared on this forum.

Got any pictures of your new ride?

[Russ]

Welcome to the forum and Mac owners group. Post some pics of your new beauty.

[Catigale]

Welcome aboard. There is a lot more stuff in the venture forum for the , but you are welcome to post here as well...as the sticky indicates this has become the default "main board" pair general sailing posts

New guy/gal buys the pizza!!

[FlashGumby]

Richard Norman, the seller, looks like he was a member here back when he was doing his mods. There are a number, all tastefully done, both to improve sailing and to make her more comfortable and homey below decks.

[FlashGumby]

The 950 miles home were a bit trying at times, but she made it in one piece!

[K9Kampers]

(First question would have to do with finding a thread with the slickest procedure for stepping the mast while underway. I have the 19's mast raising (block and tackle) system, but assume that it's been improved on, since Mac improved upon the B&T in the later 26-footers.)

Welcome!
On the header at the top of the page, click Resources, then Manuals, for the Mac 19 manual... it'll only cost you a pizza!

[FlashGumby]

Richard was nice enough to include the manual, but I have to assume, based upon the number of modifications made to the mast raising system in the mods sections (for all of the Macs) and the number of people who have talked about trying even farther fetched things than mast raising systems on a like winches, that a few of the boats here must have developed something that a guy who has to motor out through fixed bridges before stepping in the ICW or at sea might find a relief (especially if single-handing).

[Tomfoolery]

The MRS. Pole with a winch on it, rather than the fiddle blocks of the system. Use something easy to connect (like a shackle with a captive pin) for the static line to the deck fitting, or from the winch line to the bail on the mast, so you can travel under the bridges with the mast layed back, and disconnect the MRS static line to lay it on the mast, or disconnect the winch line to lay the MRS on the deck. If that kind of clearance is even needed, that is, and also assuming you can lay the mast almost horizontal for going under bridges. Otherwise, just the system as-is. It's the simplest way to go.

Baby stays are a requirement here, of course.

$205 at http://www.bwyachts.com for the system. You might need extra parts for retrofitting, but they're easy to work with, and can advise you.

Oh, and the M19 is specifically listed as compatible with this system, but they want a hull ID number when you order. I guess they've had some bad experiences with people trying to put it onto boats it's not suitable for.

[DaveC426913]

The MRS. Pole with a winch on it, rather than the fiddle blocks of the system. Use something easy to connect (like a shackle with a captive pin) for the static line to the deck fitting, or from the winch line to the bail on the mast, so you can travel under the bridges with the mast layed back, and disconnect the MRS static line to lay it on the mast, or disconnect the winch line to lay the MRS on the deck. If that kind of clearance is even needed, that is, and also assuming you can lay the mast almost horizontal for going under bridges. Otherwise, just the system as-is. It's the simplest way to go.

Baby stays are a requirement here, of course.

$205 at http://www.bwyachts.com for the system. You might need extra parts for retrofitting, but they're easy to work with, and can advise you.

Hm. Do you think the MRS is faster/simpler than the 's enough to consider swapping it? If so, I might be of-a-mind to have a look at it.

[mrron_tx]

Hello Flashgumby: Welcome That is a fine looking boat Don't worry about all the mods the PO did....You will find some more to do of Your own. We Love Pizza Fair winds. Ron.

[Tomfoolery]

Hm. Do you think the MRS is faster/simpler than the 's enough to consider swapping it? If so, I might be of-a-mind to have a look at it.

I've never used the system myself, but I've seen others use it. It does seem a bit simpler, but not enough to encourage me to do anything about it.

One thing I did do was swap out the fiddle blocks for some much larger Harken blocks with ball bearings and 5 parts of line. I already had them, and they're too big for anything on this boat, so it's a perfect use for them. I don't even need to use the winch, but with some help pushing the mast up, even the original 4-part plain-bearing system would allow that, too. I don't have help putting the mast up, and the cabin roof winch is a pain to use with the dodger blocking the handle, so this is good for me. I just use the winch to help belay the line every time I stop, then cleat it off twice if I have to go forward with the mast unsecured.

But you could always buy the same 350 lb rated Dutton-Lainson brake winch MacGregor uses (do NOT use a standard ratchet winch) and mount it to the MRS you already have, with a single block through the eye strap on the same side, with a static line on the other eye strap to the existing deck eye strap, and have yourself exactly the same thing as the system. Oh, and add the bail on the mast. I don't see much reason to change the baby stays, but they're easy enough to remake or relocate if you wanted them on the end of the winch line, like the system does.

[Johnacuda]

Welcome and congratulations on the . There is nothing better that holding out for what you want and getting it. I waited about 14 months until I found the I wanted. Hope the boat is exactly what you were looking forward to.