First Day on the 26X

[Dog House]

So I ended up buying the '96 26X from this thread: http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... hp?t=24429 For a variety of reasons (life/bottom painting/etc), I wasn't able to pick it up until today... But I was able to officially pick it up today and take it home. A few observations here, just for my own purposes, but feel free to chime in with any comments.

Issues:
-Although I charged the battery Wednesday and it read a full charge, and we were able to tilt the motor this morning before launching, it wouldn't start. Both batteries on board ended up being dead at launch time. I haven't done a full examination of this issue, but we ended up disconnecting all other electrical connections and hooking up a brand new battery to just the motor. The broker/seller on this deal was extremely helpful and provided the new battery at his cost. A few projects as a result (PO had put in substandard wiring, and I need (want) to rewire everything to get a full appreciation.
-Overheating. We got out on the water and the engine alarm came on. It was overheating. Took the cover off the engine and made sure water was coming out, but the issue persisted. A quick phone call to a Tohatsu dealer indicated that the issue was likely the thermostat, so we popped off the over, cleaned out a bit of gunk and motored on. It'll be easy enough to repair.
-Wasp nest. While the boat was on the market, somehow a wasp nest snuck into the main sail. A quick trip to store got us some wasp killer and I've got some cleaning to do on the sails, but they were advertised as "average shape" and certainly seem that way.

Improvements that I need to make:
-The main sheet was VERY thick to the point of unmanageable and also too long. The instructor I hired (an experienced Mac sailor/dealer that the broker connected me with) immediately suggested replacing with 3/8. Unfortunately he insisted in tying a knot and removing it (I would've taken a picture and redone it at my own pace), but I'm going to use the boom vang as a guide as to how to reconnect it.
-All the "ropes" (I know I'm not supposed to call them that) are the same color. Jib sheets, jib halyard and main halyard. This will be changed quickly, because I already made a mistake when I grabbed one (and we only sailed for a short period of time)
-Rudder lines were also both the same color. I will be color coding these.
-Speed. I won't say that I was dissatisfied with the motor (its only a Tohatsu 40HP), but there is certainly some improvements to be made. WOT was around 4400rpm, the throttle was sticky, and I think I can refine this. It's certainly fast enough for now (first boat for me, so I can learn), but I plan to do some research and have some winter projects... Props and whatnot.

Other points:
-Greg from Grab Bag Sailboats (both the owner and broker for this boat) was a pleasure to deal with. With the amount I paid for the boat ($6500) I wasn't expecting perfection, but he did a stand-up job of assisting. I highly recommend him.
-Backing in. The instructor just motored straight into my slip. I asked him a couple times to show me backing in, but he was pretty adamant that I wouldn't want to do this. Not sure if this is frowned upon, or what, but he suggested more privacy in the cockpit/cabin and the fact that I had a lot of a room to back out that made it unnecessary to back in. But I don't want to be "that guy" if its somehow not a good idea.
-I need to take time to learn to sail on this thing. I'll stick with the jib over the genoa for the short term, and I plan to take it out and just get a feel for things. If anybody sees a MacGregor not sailing well on the Chesapeake/Patapsco, it's probably me, but I'm just learning. It'll be fun though.
-As per the previous point, I have a lot of learning to do all around. Even though I've only lurked on this forum aside from the above post, it has been overwhelmingly helpful so far. I imagine it will continue to be.

Also, I don't know if there's a way to change your profile name on this board. A quick look at the settings didn't make it pop out to me, but perhaps I just skimmed. I'm intending to start posting as per my boat name (Dog House), but I figured I'd mention it in case there is a way to change it (or needs moderator intervention perhaps), or to ensure its not bad form to just create a new profile.

Thanks everybody.

[Dog House]

Oh, the most important point: Despite any issues/observations, it was still a thoroughly enjoyable day, and I'm 100% certain that the MacGregor 26X is the perfect boat for me.

[Azzarac]

Welcome aboard! I'm sure your aware of the pizza rule here...

[kmclemore]

Ditto - welcome!

I'll have anchovies on mine, please.

[dlandersson]

Sounds like you got quite a deal. My 97X was $11,000 - and I consider that a deal.

Backing in is far more common in Europe than the US. Get a grip on going in head-first, then work on backing in. There's a thread, it's actually pretty easy. I back in any time I want to drop my mast for any reason (doesn't happen often).

[JotaErre]

Enjoy!

And make sure the battery is charging when the engine is running...

[Russ]

Congrats and welcome.

You might want to learn more about that motor in the future and get some parts or have it services. Thermostat, filters, plugs etc.

Why do you want to back in? The only reason I can see is if it's easier to board the boat. The Mac will back better than most sailboats, but again why?
All things being equal, I agree with him. More privacy, nobody looking down into your boat. And it's easier to back out than to back in.

Wiring...shouldn't be hard. Replace lighting with LEDs if not already. Wires with marine grade stuff, Macgregor used lamp cord back then.

You sound like you have a good handle on things.

[DaveB]

Sounds like you got quite a deal. My 97X was $11,000 - and I consider that a deal.

Mine is for sale for $15,500 with new 50hp motor and most everthing is new and shines like new with newer tandem aluminum axels . Guess adding $12000 worth of new stuff is not worth the effort .(that doesn't enclude my labor )
Old saying...(You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make them drink)
Dave

[dlandersson]

Here some boating info from Youtube. I find/found it very valuable

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whED3BZGgD0

[Herschel]

The instructor just motored straight into my slip

I am assuming that the experienced guy you were watching lowered the centerboard a little and put at least one rudder down when doing this. If not, he probably had favorable winds/currents. Most folks on the board always have something in the water when docking. And I agree with the other post that questioned the need to back in to the slip. I rarely do that myself as long as there is room to back out easily, I prefer to dock headed in. I agree with you that using the working jib is fine for learning the boat, and I keep it on full time now. I go out to enjoy sailing and relax; the working jib is all I need.

[Cougar]

Sounds like you got quite a deal. My 97X was $11,000 - and I consider that a deal.

Backing in is far more common in Europe than the US. Get a grip on going in head-first, then work on backing in. There's a thread, it's actually pretty easy. I back in any time I want to drop my mast for any reason (doesn't happen often).

More specific: backing in is especially common in the Mediterranean. In other parts of Europe we are more accustomed to go head first or alongside. Going head first certainly gives you the most privacy.

[sailboatmike]

Ahh yes lower the centerboard a bit and 1 rudder at least at slow speeds, first time out coming up the channel I had almost no directional control, constantly correcting and over correcting as I zig zagged up a dead straight channel, then the lightbulb went on, and I put the one rudder down and a bit of centerboard and magically she started tracking straight again.

So many things to remember that catch out the newbie, but such an impressive performer when you get it all right

[K9Kampers]

So many things to remember that catch out the newbie, but such an impressive performer when you get it all right

You can always read where it says to raise the rudders BEFORE hauling out, but the first time that you don't will be the last time that you
fergot! Jus' sayin'...!!