Mystery Modded MacGregor 25

[beechkingd]

Did you have the original axle? On my 25 with the original trailer, it seems like the limiting factor would be the keel hitting the center of the axle. In it’s current (almost certainly original) form, there’s only a few inches between the axle and keel for suspension travel. I feel like not having more of a ‘trunk’ for the keel to retract into was kind of a miss on the design of the 25.

Looks like the OP’s axel has already been modified with a dropped section in the center, may give some more room for lowering, if it hasn’t been done already.

It was not the original trailer, but I was able to lower mine so the keel was fully retracted and sitting on the bunk when the boat was on the trailer. Similar to this one, my keel was hanging down quite a bit and the boat was really high on the trailer.

[beechkingd]

Hello! "Neighbor". Fello Mac 25 sailer here also in sorta central VA.

I redid my hull and keel in 2019-2020 and splashed her for the 1st time last summer at Lake Anna.
Still have a bit to go on my refit but making progress.

My boat, trailer, and riggging are factory oem for the most part.
Changed the hull to dark red stripes instead of the factory blue ones.

I hope to try the lower potomac and maybe the bay this year. We kept her in a slip at Lake Anna for a few months last year but plan to go lower cost and try dry sailing this year. IE, keeping her at marina rigged on the trailer.

I have a 6hp sail pro and its been great. 1/4 throttle cruises nicely around 4 knots and just sips gas.
5hp as long as its a long or extra long shaft should serve you well in normal conditions.

This is my 1st boat so have been learning as I go.

Gotta say, thats a heck of a set up the prior owner built. Looks neat!

We live somewhat close to Lake Anna and we keep our boat in Colonial Beach in a slip. It's a great area for sailing and cheap. I've never been impressed with Lake Anna for a sailboat.

[drobrien]

That is indeed a hole in the hull. I wish I had a legendary story to go along with that, but it was simply shortsightedness.
Hint # 1: Don't let the cockpit fill with leaves and rainwater
Hint #2: If the cockpit is filled with water, likely the cabin and bilge is as well
Hint #3: If the trailer tongue is jacked up to help water flow out the cockpit, any water in the bilge will flow to the back of the boat as well

A boat this size might look comical flipped upwards, trailer and all, stern on the ground, as well as me scrambling in vain to prevent it from doing so. But an errant pole puncturing the hull was so disheartening. At least that was the extent of the damage. That repair is first on my ToDo list, once I maneuver the boat to another spot in the property.

Russ,
I really need to take the time to do a deep dive into Calder's book. Though at this point, I'm thinking something in the For Dummies series might be best for me to start with
The fuel tank came stowed below the cockpit, but I fully expect to move it out of there.


DragonflyMac25,
I'm feeling old now realizing that it's been over a decade since I was in Lake Anna. How was your experience sailing there? My vague recollection of it is as a haven for powerboaters and jetskis.
Are you documenting online anywhere your work on the 25? I'd love to see it.

[Russ]

Russ,
I really need to take the time to do a deep dive into Calder's book. Though at this point, I'm thinking something in the For Dummies series might be best for me to start with

I've only used Calder's book for reference for things I need to know. For me specifically, connectors, wire colors and sizes.

I did dive into the battery section and learned so much about how lead acid batteries charge.

The hole in the hull is obviously repairable. During Hurricane Sandy, my dad's boat had a similar hole from a jack stand along with lots of other damage as boats in the yard all floated off their stands and ended up in a pile together.

I'm not a fiberglass expert, but I'm amazed at some of the work others have done. There is a member here who bought a hurricane-damaged boat with what I thought was unrepairable damage. He was able to restore his Mac to original state. It's amazing what can be done with fiberglass.

[DragonflyMac25]

I have a lot of pictures of my work on the boat but have not posted them online anywhere.
At least not yet. Maybe I'll get around to it sometime.
I have not even done a proper intro post here with pics yet either.

Sailing Lake Anna was a good start for us. My wife had never been sailing. This boat was proof of concept for her and it turned out she really likes it. Even heeling in high winds.

In general, I agree Lake Anna is not ideal. Even on a breezy day the wind strength and direction varies a lot. We chose our sailing times to avoid the crowds. Being close by, and in a slip, we could pop over during weekdays and also got in to start pre season when it was still chilly and the Lake was wide open. We were also amused by being somewhat of a spectacle. Although the Mac 25 is not a big boat, for Lake Anna it drew a good bit of attention as there are not many sailboats there. We were aporoached dockside and also out on the Lake by folks checking it out.

We'll likely start there again this year but dry sailing and then move to the potomac later.
Right now, I am leaning towards dry sailing out of Olverson's.

I am biased towards dry sailing for cost and for the hull. I went with VC performane epoxy on the bottom so it can sit in the water a bit but Lake Anna did stain it a bit and it won't prevent growth if we move to the Potomac.

[beechkingd]

I am biased towards dry sailing for cost and for the hull. I went with VC performane epoxy on the bottom so it can sit in the water a bit but Lake Anna did stain it a bit and it won't prevent growth if we move to the Potomac.

The place I keep mine at has been about $85 per month in a slip at Colonial Beach. The place changed hands though, so I might be back to $130 at the previous marina.

[Freedom77]

IF IT AIN'T BROKE, DON'T FIX IT. Can't understand why some want to reinvent the wheel. Roger MacGregor Mac 25 was inducted into the sailboat hall of fame. I would move the traveler to mid boom just at the cabin hatch opening and go back to single rudder. Trailer looks to be modified, okay. Everything else looks Kosher.

[Freedom77]

Totally over engineered!!!

[Freedom77]

The keel should retract into the trunk almost flush. 5HP is marginal. Have 7.5 Honda 4 stroke. Plenty of power. Anchors>>> 10 pound danforth is a good choice. 25 to thirty feet of 3/8 galvanized chain and 300 ft of line. Has worked for me for 50+ years. Keep us posted. Fair winds and smooth seas.