New Member - Sailing with Stern Rail Seats

[svscott]

Hi Tillerb and welcome to the forum. As others have said, this is one of the most supportive and knowledgeable owner's forum I've ever spent time on. Until you get comfy with the boat, keep the crew weight anywhere on the high side and then start having crew move to the low side. 150 pounds moving from the high side rail to the low rail makes a big difference in the boat balance. The boat will stop safely steer at 35 to 40 degrees of heel but scardy people get scared. If you get overpowered, the boat will turn head to wind and the sails will flog until you steer off again.

I've had a "classic" design 1987 Macgregor 26D since 2005 and sail it hard every chance I get. Aside from occasional engine woes and 2 crushed daggerboards (motored into sandbars on Presque Isle Bay on Lake Erie), the boat has never missed a beat. With the addition of a tiller pilot, I can now easily single hand the boat when there's no friends available to crew.
I now also have a 1998 Macgregor 26X and am still getting used to it. It's ok as a sailboat but is worlds apart from the intuitiveness of the 26D when sailing. The D responds immediately to changes, whereas the X has left me confused a couple times when unsuccessfully trying to tack into about 15 mph wind...to be fair, I've got thousands of miles sailing the D and under 100 on the X and both times, the 150 genoa was too much sail. My D is also much better equipped with better sails and top notch standing/running rigging and deck hardware.

Both the D and the X heel quickly to 15 degrees and are very rolly when people step on or off the deck from the dock. Unlike a keel boat with weight under water, the water ballast doesn't take effect and steady the boat until the tank is above the actual water level.
My wife still gets scared over 10 degrees of heel so she only sails when conditions are perfect, but she loves the motor boat aspect of the X and the spaciousness of the interior... and I can still sail it when conditions are right.

I think you'll love the boat, despite the compromises that come with a hybrid powersailer. With all the bells and whistles your new toy comes equipped with, it sounds super nice.

[Jimmyt]

svscott: Are you back-winding the Genoa when you tack? My M tacks well in 15kt, but I back-wind the 150 when tacking. If you aren't doing it, give it a try and see if it helps.

[Tillerb]

Thanks swscott and Jimmyt. Both excellent tips. Will add to my notes and can't wait till spring to practice them in comparison to my previous keel Tanzer 26.

[svscott]

svscott: Are you back-winding the Genoa when you tack? My M tacks well in 15kt, but I back-wind the 150 when tacking. If you aren't doing it, give it a try and see if it helps.

Hi Jimmy, the couple times I had problems, I couldn't get the bow through the wind to even think about back winding. I always back wind the jib/genoa in the D so I'm familiar with the process. I tried several times to fall off, pick up speed, then turn but in the end needed to "chicken gybe" instead of tack.
I need more helm time while sailing the X so I can feel more in tune with the boat. I think the steering wheel is a big piece of the reason I don't feel as connected to what the boat wants/ needs.

[Jimmyt]

Hi Jimmy, the couple times I had problems, I couldn't get the bow through the wind to even think about back winding. I always back wind the jib/genoa in the D so I'm familiar with the process. I tried several times to fall off, pick up speed, then turn but in the end needed to "chicken gybe" instead of tack.
I need more helm time while sailing the X so I can feel more in tune with the boat. I think the steering wheel is a big piece of the reason I don't feel as connected to what the boat wants/ needs.

Yup, getting the bow through the wind is the bottom line. The wheel is way different than a tiller for sure. And, I'm sure the D was easier to tack with probably half the windage of the X. I'm sure you'll get the hang of it.

[Be Free]

svscott: I have no experience with the genoa on an "X" but I have many thousands of hours with the jib. Maybe you can adapt it to your situation. I'm going to be a little bit basic here for the benefit of less experienced sailors who may also be reading this.

The boat will not tack unless I'm going at least 2 knots. Turn into the wind. Don't turn the wheel to hard in light winds or you will kill all of your forward speed. As you pass through the wind your foresail will start to catch the wind on the back side (back-winding). It is important that you do not release the jib sheets yet. Wait until the main has also begun to fill on the other side, then immediately release your jib sheet and reset the opposite jib sheet for your new tack.

I suspect this will work as well for the genoa but may require a little more speed.

[NiceAft]

Be Free said:

I suspect this will work as well for the genoa but may require a little more speed.

Those three instructions are exactly what needs to be done for the also. It also applies for a Genoa.

Excess of 2kts. Turn the wheel hard, but not to the extreme lock. Do not release the leeward sheet until it becomes the windward sheet. When the main fills, quickly correct for oversteer.

As an aside story. Two years ago we were in Barcelona and took a sunset sail as tourists on a 32' Beneteau. When I asked the captain if I could take the helm for awhile, he asked if I had sailing experience. When hearing I had a 26M, he quickly disparaged the boat, but let me take the helm under watchful eyes. When told to come about, I used the exact procedure described above. He was content enough to leave me alone for the next hour.

[Be Free]

...
As an aside story. Two years ago we were in Barcelona and took a sunset sail as tourists on a 32' Beneteau. When I asked the captain if I could take the helm for awhile, he asked if I had sailing experience. When hearing I had a 26M, he quickly disparaged the boat, but let me take the helm under watchful eyes.
...

Sometimes I feel like we have the "Jack Sparrow" of sailboats. "AH, but you HAVE heard about me!"

[dlandersson]

Wait 'till you get the bill.

Hi Tillerb and welcome to the forum. As others have said, this is one of the most supportive and knowledgeable owner's forum I've ever spent time on.

[dlandersson]

Ditto

The boat will not tack unless I'm going at least 2 knots.

[NiceAft]

Ditto

The boat will not tack unless I'm going at least 2 knots.

Sometimes, in spite of all attempts, you have to either start up the iron genny, or jibe (not desirable).

[Russ]

Sometimes, in spite of all attempts, you have to either start up the iron genny, or jibe (not desirable).

If I don't have enough wind/speed, I just jibe.