Zeno's Arrow

[maddmike]

OK, you win; send me the address. Mine you can find in the archives for Victoria's Secret (only exotic oriental type there), but be forwarned she has been pre-conditioned to boats with twin engines, fly bridges, and walk-in freezers (Grand-daddy ran Hundi Corp.) I'll be happy to give you a reference, maybe she will have her Capt. load your MAC on board for those long lonely crossings (just to thumb her nose at you know who ). Cheers, Mike

[Mark Prouty]

This doesn't work anymore.

http://www.macgregorowners.com
Forums (left top of page)
#2 on dropdowm menu (macgregor forums)
click; Mac Site Talk
click;Macgregor 26X Off-shore Crossings

[waternwaves]

Mike,

Alas, that is one world I am no longer comfortable being around the periphery of ..........

Those of us who have to work for a living tho.........

were probably a little foolish thinking we were the kind of people or had that which is important to them.......

Perhaps in later days......wisdom will come to us.........

But basicly, I think anyone wins if they can look back on those parts of life and still enjoy the good, despite the losses..

Congratulations on winning.......chasing ones dreams is always good for the soul.

until then........Good luck......and more adventures to you.....

It is hard to go back to reality....and I for one, probably will continue to sail alone......however.......some of these adventures discussed do sound interesting....Aleutians to Argentina anyone????

[Mark Prouty]

It's in the Archives now. Search the Archives for the word Arrow in the forum Mac Site Talk. Don't think the pictures are there any more though.

Direct Link

I'd really appreciate the pictures again.

It would be nice to have the pics in the mods section. I could also stage them in a permanent location (photobucket) and link them to here. Like this:



(I happened to have saved one)

[maddmike]

Guys,

I have a friend on St. John in the USVI's (lives on a Voyage 38 Cat), who does websites & I contacted him to do a new site for Zeno's Arrow. I hope to have something up in Jan., that will have pix and some other stuff, plus it can be used (hopefully) during the Hawaii crossing for my travels in the Pacific. MM

[maddmike]

I have tried to answer all posts with requests concerning Zeno's Arrow, boat modifications, and/or my (somewhat unusual but generally effective) sailing techniques. However, I am sure I have missed responding to some items. For anyone who did not get a response to a specific question, if you could re-post your question, I will try to get to it before heading out to the beach for some surfing this Christmas (extended) weekend. I wonder if Santa surfs? Thanks, MM

[Mark Prouty]

maddmike,

Please explain your mast crutch. Why did you install it that way? How did you install it? Does it get in the way? Is it removable? Why no rollers? What do you use for padding? What kind of tubing did you use?

There is just so much happening in this photo that I could continue asking a lot of questions. Could you explain some of the things going on in this photo please? Maybe start with the side motor mount.

I really look forward to your website. You've done some extraordinary things.

[Eric O]

MaddMike,

In some of your posts you have mentioned jack lines. Can you describe for us how and where you mounted them, and how you use them? Ever had an occasion where the harness and jackline kept you on the boat when you otherwise might have gone overboard?

[maddmike]

#1-The side 'motor mount' and carbon support beam are part of the outrigger system (already discussed extensively). The turnbuckle barrel attached to the beam forward of the mount plate (which is used to help prevent chafing to the outrigger tubes) is for attaching the lower threaded end of a 'off-road' shock. The top end of the shock is threaded into the floating bolt end that can be seen directly next to the top of the blue restraining strap. Thus, the outriggers are pushed down to water level by the force of the shocks, but allowed to 'float up' with increased resistance as the boat heels and the shocks are subjected to increased load. This system helps reduce the stress on the hull when using the outriggers. MM

[maddmike]

Actually, I use a single Jack Line from the wheel to the forward cleat. The line is 1/2" tube webbing. I use only one line because the deck area is so small that 2 lines (one Port & one Starboard) are not necessary. I know everyone says wear a inflatable vest/harness. However, when you are sailing alone 24 hrs. a day for long periods and often sleeping in the cockpit (while usually wet), wearing a vest/harness is not only impractical & uncomfortable, it can also remove a great deal of skin and create rashes. Thus, I use a simple 'swami belt' waist harness made of 1/2" webbing. To answer your other question; no I have never come close to going overboard (other than when getting in/out of my tender). However, I did practice 'falling' overboard in the Virgin Islands as an experiment with a RIB following close by. During one such experiment the lifeline parted and I was lowered far enough to end up in the water, with the result that my drag turned the boat abeam the wind & sea. As a climber I am able to pull myself up lines and ropes so the event was not a problem (but could be for someone a bit less fit). I did go overboard by accident once single-handing while forward on a CSY 44 (the furling line seperated and unfurled the full sail in 35 knts. of wind) and I was keel-hauled when the boat broched and changed tack (not fun). My worst 'overboard' was from a RIB that flipped in a storm in the Antarctic (below the Antarctic circle) in 1992, again not fun (FYI, Tim Cahill wrote a story called 'Survival' on the event as he was along on the expedition & indirectly took part in the rescue, I'll see if I can find a reference for the story, have not read it myself-but been told it is good).MM

[maddmike]

Per the e-mail on did I really sink one of each?

Yes, I hate to admit it, but I did over the last 23 years sink one aircraft, one boat, and one car (although I really don't think the car should count).

1- Yes we sunk a ski-equipped DHC-6 Twin Otter at the North Pole in May 1982 (The picture you refer to was on the front page of the Sunday Edition of the Edmunton, Alberta Journal). No, it was not the trip that included Neil Armstrong & Sir Edmund Hillary, I led that trip three years later (1985).

2- Yes, I lost my previous boat 'Coaibai' to a container ship single-handing off Panama on April 20, 1995.

3- The Land Rover was not mine & although I was in it, I was not driving. It went into a lake in Northern Botswana during a flash flood in 1986 (and again I really don't think it should really count).

4- The article about flipping the Zodiac in the Antarctic was by Tim Cahill and appeared in Holiday Travel Mag. in March 1992.

5- Yes, I did write 'Stone Pigeons'.

and

6-No, I don't plan on sinking anything else (but, thanks alot for asking!)

MM

[maddmike]

Per the above questions; The Arch is removable but usually stays in place.
It was constructed using 2 pieces of aluminum uni-strut 'U' bolted to the stern lifeline supports. These are fixed with bolts to 2 aluminum 90 degree bent units (one port, one starboard), which are then sleeved into a cross section of PVC.

The arch supports the following components:
All Nav lights (running, steaming, anchor).
An adjustable high output spot light (which can be directed at ships at sea or onto the sails to draw attention to the boat's position).
Cockpit speakers
Radar, GPS, Sat. Phone,SSB,TV, and VHF anten.
Solar shower mount
Bimini back strap mounts
Blocks for lifting Walkerbay Tender onto davits
Upper support arm for extending pole on air marine unit.

[maddmike]

Per request I have reposted some of Zeno's Arrow's pix at:

macgregorowners.com
Forums shared with other brands
Ask all sailors.


MM

[craiglaforce]

link


Wow, awesome mods.
OK, here are my first couple of questions.

How does the Air conditioner work? do you have it ducted somehow to work from the aft berth?

I like that keel, can you post the plans for it? added weight and strength, eliminating the bang at anchor. I think I want one. I guess you need a new trailer to hold the boat higher?

Can you describe how that ama works for you with the motor mount brackets? do you have the same thing for both sides?

Amazing that you could fit so much cool stuff in there. Icemaker, freezer, microwave, Air conditioner.

Do you have a genset or is that a wind turbine I see on the stern?

Does your mast hit the tow vehicle projecting forward like that or does it sweep over the top of a low pickup truck. (it would hit my van. Why did you move the mast forward like that?

Is there still a sink under a cover plate in the galley?

Have you modified the seating much?

Do you normally sleep in the aft area by the A/C?

[They Theirs]

Very inspiring look at a Mac with nicely modified interior. Clean, Smart well organized look for a MacGregor with a real History. Interesting shape manufactured on your folding wing and modified centerboard. The shape of the wing appears smaller than I would have thought making me wonder how it performs under large engine power, and how vast the stability gain over the standard board. Lots of great looking stuff there.