I usually sleep during daylight hrs. (4-6 hrs.) and stand watch at night. If I do sleep at night I cat nap in the cockpit.
Reasons as follows.
(1) It is much easier to get up from a sound sleep in the daylight and make a quick evaluation of what has to be done when the sun is shinning.
(2) More chance of being 'overlooked' by the bigboys at night. Thus, seeing the other guy at night first and taking course action is more important than when they can see my sails in the daylight.
Also, I use the proximity warning on my radar when I'm asleep & monitor ch. 16 & 13. Usually you can get some static on 13 from crew on container ships talking back & forth on handhelds well before you see them. The radio squaks, I get up and take a look. Also, you can hear a large ship quite aways out when below through the thin hull of the MAC. MM
Zeno's Arrow
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Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
- Admiral
- Posts: 1006
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Oconomowoc, WI
Oar locks vs pins
Bill,
I do not use 'oar locks', I use 'locking pins' like those used on whitewater rafts. Basically the difference is you can not 'feather' or 'pull in' oars rigged with pins. Any whitewater boating company can show you how they work. They have 'clips' that are attached to the oars, which are then slipped over 'bolts' for holding the oars in a per-established rowing position. On my boat the pins are attached to the genoa track. It is a very simple system that helps keep the oars from 'jumping' about or slipping out of locks. Hope this helps. MM
As for where I sleep; I have described this earlier in the thread. MM
I do not use 'oar locks', I use 'locking pins' like those used on whitewater rafts. Basically the difference is you can not 'feather' or 'pull in' oars rigged with pins. Any whitewater boating company can show you how they work. They have 'clips' that are attached to the oars, which are then slipped over 'bolts' for holding the oars in a per-established rowing position. On my boat the pins are attached to the genoa track. It is a very simple system that helps keep the oars from 'jumping' about or slipping out of locks. Hope this helps. MM
As for where I sleep; I have described this earlier in the thread. MM
Mike,
I am wondering how you set a few things up on your boat.
You probably had some cool evenings in the North, how did you provide heat for the cabin?
I like the stove/oven combination and the location where you installed it. I assume it's propane? If so how did you provide proper venting for leaks and what kind of plumbing/tank setup you are using?
What kind of bilge pump setup are you using and how do you have them plumbed?
What king of speed do you get with the 18hp at full throttle?
With the 6hp full throttle?
Which motor, approximate throttle and speed for most cruising? I assume you use the 6hp most of the time?
Are all motors set up so that wheel (Autopilot?) will move them or do you lock the 6hp straight ahead and steer with the rudders?
Sorry about all the questions, but I am doing projects on my boat and your answers will help greatly.
Thanks
Greg
I am wondering how you set a few things up on your boat.
You probably had some cool evenings in the North, how did you provide heat for the cabin?
I like the stove/oven combination and the location where you installed it. I assume it's propane? If so how did you provide proper venting for leaks and what kind of plumbing/tank setup you are using?
What kind of bilge pump setup are you using and how do you have them plumbed?
What king of speed do you get with the 18hp at full throttle?
With the 6hp full throttle?
Which motor, approximate throttle and speed for most cruising? I assume you use the 6hp most of the time?
Are all motors set up so that wheel (Autopilot?) will move them or do you lock the 6hp straight ahead and steer with the rudders?
Sorry about all the questions, but I am doing projects on my boat and your answers will help greatly.
Thanks
Greg
Outrigger photos
Sorry Greg,
I do not have any with me here in Sri Lanka, but will post some when I get back to the US in April. I know that some MAC folks (visitors-locals, not sure which) up at Tahoe in Emerald Bay took quite a few pix when I was at anchor with the outriggers on the boat. Maybe we can find them on this or the other MAC sites and have them post the pix they took last summer. Cheers, MM
I do not have any with me here in Sri Lanka, but will post some when I get back to the US in April. I know that some MAC folks (visitors-locals, not sure which) up at Tahoe in Emerald Bay took quite a few pix when I was at anchor with the outriggers on the boat. Maybe we can find them on this or the other MAC sites and have them post the pix they took last summer. Cheers, MM
Staying Warm
Greg,
I will post answers to you questions over the next couple of days, rather than all at once as I am quite busy at the moment.
Staying warm in the Arctic.
I did not depend on any one individaul heating system, but rather used several different systems in conjunction with one another. The most effective was to let the Air Marine wind turbine and solar panels provide reserve power (remember I had 24 hrs. of daylight) and use a 120W. electric blanket over my sleeping bag (my Everest bag) when necessary (this was the same system I used on Tahoe when I lived on the boat during the winter in 1996. I also had a alcohol stove, propane stove, & 'waterwelder' for generating a H2 flame in conjunction with the water-maker (heavy & only practical when on a grid like at the dock in Inuvik-long since gone). In the morning making coffee was enough to adequately heat the boat. I have to say the elecrtic blanket & good sleeping bag made all the difference. MM
I will post answers to you questions over the next couple of days, rather than all at once as I am quite busy at the moment.
Staying warm in the Arctic.
I did not depend on any one individaul heating system, but rather used several different systems in conjunction with one another. The most effective was to let the Air Marine wind turbine and solar panels provide reserve power (remember I had 24 hrs. of daylight) and use a 120W. electric blanket over my sleeping bag (my Everest bag) when necessary (this was the same system I used on Tahoe when I lived on the boat during the winter in 1996. I also had a alcohol stove, propane stove, & 'waterwelder' for generating a H2 flame in conjunction with the water-maker (heavy & only practical when on a grid like at the dock in Inuvik-long since gone). In the morning making coffee was enough to adequately heat the boat. I have to say the elecrtic blanket & good sleeping bag made all the difference. MM
Staying Warm
Greg,
I will post answers to you questions over the next couple of days, rather than all at once as I am quite busy at the moment.
Staying warm in the Arctic.
I did not depend on any one individaul heating system, but rather used several different systems in conjunction with one another. The most effective was to let the Air Marine wind turbine and solar panels provide reserve power (remember I had 24 hrs. of daylight) and use a 120W. electric blanket over my sleeping bag (my Everest bag) when necessary (this was the same system I used on Tahoe when I lived on the boat during the winter in 1996. I also had a alcohol stove, propane stove, & 'waterwelder' for generating a H2 flame in conjunction with the water-maker (heavy & only practical when on a grid like at the dock in Inuvik-long since gone). In the morning making coffee was enough to adequately heat the boat. I have to say the elecrtic blanket & good sleeping bag made all the difference. MM
I will post answers to you questions over the next couple of days, rather than all at once as I am quite busy at the moment.
Staying warm in the Arctic.
I did not depend on any one individaul heating system, but rather used several different systems in conjunction with one another. The most effective was to let the Air Marine wind turbine and solar panels provide reserve power (remember I had 24 hrs. of daylight) and use a 120W. electric blanket over my sleeping bag (my Everest bag) when necessary (this was the same system I used on Tahoe when I lived on the boat during the winter in 1996. I also had a alcohol stove, propane stove, & 'waterwelder' for generating a H2 flame in conjunction with the water-maker (heavy & only practical when on a grid like at the dock in Inuvik-long since gone). In the morning making coffee was enough to adequately heat the boat. I have to say the elecrtic blanket & good sleeping bag made all the difference. MM
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LOUIS B HOLUB
- Admiral
- Posts: 1315
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:40 am
- Location: 1999 Mac-X, Nissan 50 HP, Kemah, TX, "Holub Boat"
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Richard O'Brien
- Captain
- Posts: 653
- Joined: Fri May 14, 2004 8:20 am
- Location: Lakewood, CO. Mercury 60hp bigfoot M0427B404
solar panels?
Mike! Where did you put your solar panels? The mac doesn't have much room on top, and I've often puzzled over where to put panels? About electric blankets: I used to live in a mountain cabin. The only thing it had was electricity, but I could put up with a pan of frozen water in the morning, as long as I had an electric blanket to duck under.
Solar Panels
Rich,
I have 2 ridged panels on top of my dodger, & 4 flexable panels that move about. At sea 2 flex panels are on the dinghy cover of the walker bay on the davits & if the bimini is up the other 2 live there. If the outriggers are on, each has 2 flex panels attached by bungie cord; if at anchor with the dinghy in the water, those two move onto the top of the boom (remember I have a custom 'V' furling boom (kinda like a mini-Wally boom). Only thing this requires is multiple 'outlets' to plug them into, otherwise it really is no hassle moving the flexable panels about.
As for well organized; IMHO the difference between being comfortable or uncomfortable living on a small boat directly relates to putting things back where they belong. If you do that, the MAC is open & comfortable; if not, stepping across clothing & gear all the time gets old very quickly. Keep in mind the MAC does not seem that small to someone who spent a great deal of their professional life living in tents. MM
I have 2 ridged panels on top of my dodger, & 4 flexable panels that move about. At sea 2 flex panels are on the dinghy cover of the walker bay on the davits & if the bimini is up the other 2 live there. If the outriggers are on, each has 2 flex panels attached by bungie cord; if at anchor with the dinghy in the water, those two move onto the top of the boom (remember I have a custom 'V' furling boom (kinda like a mini-Wally boom). Only thing this requires is multiple 'outlets' to plug them into, otherwise it really is no hassle moving the flexable panels about.
As for well organized; IMHO the difference between being comfortable or uncomfortable living on a small boat directly relates to putting things back where they belong. If you do that, the MAC is open & comfortable; if not, stepping across clothing & gear all the time gets old very quickly. Keep in mind the MAC does not seem that small to someone who spent a great deal of their professional life living in tents. MM
Motor questions
Greg,
I have not forgotten your questions on the motors, crusing with them & pumps (I have 4 small electric & 2 hand pumps). I'll try to get to them on Monday. MM
I have not forgotten your questions on the motors, crusing with them & pumps (I have 4 small electric & 2 hand pumps). I'll try to get to them on Monday. MM
Engine Use
Greg,
Sorry to take so long to get back on this, I've been quite busy.
First, I do not connect the 2 6hp. engines to the wheel. The engines are tightened down and the boat is normally steered with rudders only. However, I do sometimes connect my spare 'tiller' autopilot to one engine and employ the engine at low rpm as a self steering system. This reduces the strain on the rudders in rough conditions by allowing the boat to regain its heading with engine thrust, rather than forcing the boat back on course with the rudders and wheel pilot.
Max. speed with the 2 6hp. engines is somewhere about 5.8 kts (I have gone to 6.0 several times is calm conditions. I cruise at about 4.8 kts. at reduced power with both engines. Cruise on one engine is 3.8-4 kts (which with my fuel reserve I can do for 168+ hrs.; an easy 600+ mile range, which has been done on 2 occasions running each engine for 12 hrs at a time). While motorsailing I employ the engine on the lee side only. MM
Sorry to take so long to get back on this, I've been quite busy.
First, I do not connect the 2 6hp. engines to the wheel. The engines are tightened down and the boat is normally steered with rudders only. However, I do sometimes connect my spare 'tiller' autopilot to one engine and employ the engine at low rpm as a self steering system. This reduces the strain on the rudders in rough conditions by allowing the boat to regain its heading with engine thrust, rather than forcing the boat back on course with the rudders and wheel pilot.
Max. speed with the 2 6hp. engines is somewhere about 5.8 kts (I have gone to 6.0 several times is calm conditions. I cruise at about 4.8 kts. at reduced power with both engines. Cruise on one engine is 3.8-4 kts (which with my fuel reserve I can do for 168+ hrs.; an easy 600+ mile range, which has been done on 2 occasions running each engine for 12 hrs at a time). While motorsailing I employ the engine on the lee side only. MM
Amazed!
Tom,
I just clicked on the link you found for the 'Waterways trip". I didn't even know that stuff still existed! It really seems strange to read over things written before you actually go and do something, then to re-read all the stuff you forgot you said you were going to try and pull off 10 years later and compare it what actually happened. Very strange indeed from my point of view; had I know then what I know now, ah what the hull I would have still done it the same anyway-thanks for the walk down memory lane. MM
I just clicked on the link you found for the 'Waterways trip". I didn't even know that stuff still existed! It really seems strange to read over things written before you actually go and do something, then to re-read all the stuff you forgot you said you were going to try and pull off 10 years later and compare it what actually happened. Very strange indeed from my point of view; had I know then what I know now, ah what the hull I would have still done it the same anyway-thanks for the walk down memory lane. MM