Window Trim

[TJCormack]

Fascinating discussion! I see this is from 2015. I don't know if any of you are still monitoring this thread, or if this is the place to post a related but separate topic. But, I like all your experience and out of the box thinking. So...here goes.

I just purchased a 1999 as a project boat (it seems sound, but not in the best shape). I love the openness and lay out. I'm know how to sail, but am having a good time learning how to sail HER specifically.

Here's the questions:
I find the Mac26x head compartment to be too confining and blocks access to the under cockpit "pizza oven" double berth on the starboard side.

I want to remove the head door, cut out the top half of the head walls, and sinks and replace with a curtain situation. However, I wonder, is "Is that molded head compartment inner lining structural? Would I weaken the integrity of the hull or deck by removing the top 3/4 of it?" If not, I think this would open the boat up alot, give more room to use the head, and give decent access to the double berth under the cockpit.

[NiceAft]

I have an , and have limited time on an , so I want to make sure you understand that this is an opinion from an owner of a different Mac.

That being said, after fifteen years on this site, I don’t recall anyone doing such a mod. I believe that structural integrity to the deck & hull would be affected from cutting away the walls of the head. I believe most owners prefer the head in their boat. The head is taller than the one on an . I believe some owners have installed a shower & drain.

On the , the cabin access/egress ladder supports the deck. Because the has its head in a different location, there is no support in the area where the has a head, so before cutting, be really sure you are not doing irreversible damage.

Ray

[C Buchs]

I'm pretty sure at least some of it is structural. There's a compression post on the galley side that supports the deck on that side of the hatch. The head incloser supports the other side.

Jeff

[TJCormack]

Thank you for the replies. After closer inspection of the arrangement, I can see the wisdom of your advise. The head walls are more than just flimsy bulkheads. AND my wife chimed in that she liked and wanted the substantial enclosed bathroom space...that of course trumps all. Thank you for your input! I just bought my 1999 6 months ago and am very interested to hear what those of you who have owned, sailed, motored, and modified them for years have to say!

[NiceAft]

very interested to hear what those of you who have owned, sailed, motored, and modified them for years have to say!

You will find your Mac to be a very versatile boat. It doesn’t power as well as a powerboat, and it does not sail quite as well as a traditional keelboat, but it does both well enough to give you all the enjoyment of both.

Because it’s trailerable, you will take it to places a keelboater only dreams of doing. On top of that, it floats in a foot of water.

One last point; DO NOT EVER SAIL WITH AN EMPTY OR PARTIALLY FILLED BALLAST TANK!

Ray

[K9Kampers]

The head also serves as an excellent wet locker when then need arises - fenders, cushions, raingear, extra lines, etc.

[BOAT]

One last point; DO NOT EVER SAIL WITH AN EMPTY OR PARTIALLY FILLED BALLAST TANK!

Ray

Last summer I started "experimenting" a little. I hope they don't shoot me with rifles or ban me from the website but:

I have been sailing around a little with no ballast in the tank!



I hope you guys are not going to hate me for this.

I just had to get that off my chest - I feel so much better now that I have confessed my sin to you guys.

It all started last summer:

They were troubled times.

The MacGregor Sailor Website was going through some difficult updates,

For quite a while the website was broken and I sort of drifted around - aimless and accountable to none. It was more freedom that one man should have and it was not long before I started taking liberties with my life. I even put out with low fuel reserves. Putting out with low fuel stores caused my downfall.

It started out innocent enough - we were headed from Two Harbors on the Catalina Island east side with course set for Avalon further south hoping for frivolity and grog in the big city: << I imagined 'boat', tiny as can be nestled in amongst the big yachts.
. . . . Yes, a day of carfree banter at the bar with other sailors in a big town. We were ready for a little civilization.

Being early morning as it was, the air was light and the wind had not yet arrived - and being on the leeward side made the breeze dance down the canyons in stops and fits as we drifted along the coastline. Fuel stores were low yet there was plenty in Avalon. My patience grew thin and the lure of grog in that distant port was too strong to dismiss. I HAD to get moving if I expected to make happy hour, yet I must not waste what little gas I had as I would need it to make a mooring. As on a beam reach, air drifted down from the hills beside me across the boom as it hung well over the water - the reflection of a luffing sail in the calm water made me snap - I did it:

I opened the main ballast valve

Within a matter of minutes we started to move. Our speed continued to increase as the water drained out - my spirit buoyed, It even occurred to me to shed MORE weight! I looked all round for ballast to shed: "Food?" - "No", I paused - "if I eat the food it will still be on board until I crap it out".

Then it occured to me: "CRAP!" yes! I can dump the crap in the head! Should I violate international maritime law to dump the potty within the 3 mile boundary. Had my mind gone too far? - Lest I had become the worst of them I hurriedly looked for more flotsum to eject - "The Water?" - no, need that to mix with the scotch - I looked at the wife for a brief moment - then turned to the ice chest - I dumped all the water out of the ice chest. Now we were moving a full 3 knots and I could feel the boat straining against the permanent ballast around the daggerboard. I felt liberated. I was going 3 knots in a 2 knot wind! But - what about my pals on the website? What would they say? The shame haunted me for several nights until one day sailing in the breakwater at Long Beach and I got a crazy idea: "Should I dump the ballast again?" I did - and now it's becoming a habit in light air that I can not break - I need help - you guys need to bring me back from the brink. I feel like a guy on the ledge.

Help!

[Russ]

I'm not sure what sailing sans-ballast has to do with window trim.

You are basically sailing dinghy style. The boat is MUCH lighter without ballast so I'm sure it performs much better.
The M has the advantage of that permanent ballast.

Be prepared to get wet if a gust catches you or someone moves around the boat.

I would never recommend doing this.

However, I have read about people sailing without ballast. My admiral would FREAK OUT if I even suggested it. Mostly because these boats are so tender to begin with.

--Russ

[BOAT]

Yes, everything you said is right. I miss all the guys that were on the post about the windows so I tried a troll tactic with a funny story to see if I could get anyone to criticize me but unfortunately I don't think it worked. It would have been nice if about 20 people posted back their displeasure with my suggestion, alas it did not work.

[NiceAft]

Some of us are wise to you



Just to get us back on tack.

Ray

[BOAT]

Yeah, you caught me. I read the topic from the beginning and noticed that I had hijacked the post many times already so I figured if I were going to do damage this would be the right post to do it so I threw a line in the water to see what I would get.

I guess I miss all the other guys and wanted them to come back. I thought a little taunting might get a reaction.

I failed.

Just to be PC : Gee! I sure like your window trim!

[NiceAft]

Thanks!

Window Trim is the name of the parrot.

Ray

[Russ]

Don't tell my wife, but one time I was out without ballast. There was a strong wind behind and I opened the Genny. I forgot the ballast was empty because I had been motoring most of the day.

DANG! I swear, that boat got up on plane. Was making close to 10 knots. What a thrill. Was like surfing. What a ride.
Then the wind changed and took me from the beam. Woa! That will leave a wet spot.

DO NOT DO THIS!! BAD IDEA!

[BOAT]

Don't tell my wife, but one time I was out without ballast. There was a strong wind behind and I opened the Genny. I forgot the ballast was empty because I had been motoring most of the day.

DANG! I swear, that boat got up on plane. Was making close to 10 knots. What a thrill. Was like surfing. What a ride.
Then the wind changed and took me from the beam. Woa! That will leave a wet spot.

DO NOT DO THIS!! BAD IDEA!

And I just want to add that this is why the window trim is SO important if your going to go around sailing with your ballast down. It's forgivable to sail with your ballast down wind abaft but a sudden shift to wind abeam can make the portholes a distinct green color that is not complimentary with some shades of wood types, (let's use proper nautical terms here; Windows, Really?). When you put your portholes under water there is debate on weather the brown "picture wood" makes a better contrast with green ocean vs the red mahogany window trim.

If my spouse is below decks and the inclement weather forecast, (or the inclinometer, for that fact), tells ME the color in the "windows" are going to go from blue to green I have a ready answer to prevent the admiral from questioning the interior decor trimming the "windows":



Pull down the shades!

[NiceAft]

What you can not see in my photo is an opening porthole over the sliding galley. There is one on the starboard side also.

Once while sailing in excess of a 45 degree heel, I forgot that the ports were open. I quickly asked my wife to go below and close them. When she again came on deck, I told her that there is a nautical term for the egress of water through the port..SINKING

Ray