Brand new and having problems

They Theirs · Post by **They Theirs** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:04 am

Boom Vang..Boom Kicker

Traveler Track upgrade

LOUIS B HOLUB · Post by **LOUIS B HOLUB** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 8:08 am

Kevins Own ... congrats. on a good boat selection. Much of the 'fun' with a Mac is learning this boat's capabilities and versatilities. This forum has helped us a great deal too.
Hope you post some pics eventually showing the boat, and crew !

Happy Sailing

KEVIN'S OWN · Post by **KEVIN'S OWN** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:21 am

Thanks DLT and They Theirs for the boom vang clarification, I thought that track was called the traveller.

Catigale - believe nothing can be too basic or simple for us - we are true novices. You are correct, we were at our mooring, there was a nice breeze blowing (would have been perfect for a first sail) and we were dancing at the mooring. Would it have been better to have tied up to a dock and tried to raise the sail? From what you mentioned I guess so as we would have been stationery.

DLT · Post by **DLT** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:38 am

You're welcome...

KEVIN'S OWN wrote:Would it have been better to have tied up to a dock and tried to raise the sail? From what you mentioned I guess so as we would have been stationery.

Only if the dock would let you keep the nose straight into the wind... This is critical.

When you raise the sail, motor into the wind and just keep the mainsheet loose. I wouldn't even connect the vang, if you have one...

I don't use my vang, but then my whole mainsheet setup is pretty non-standard...

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:40 am

KEVIN'S OWN wrote:

Regarding the "boom vang" is this what others refer to as the "traveller"?

Thats akin to the voomflaaten. A little known internal cumbustion automobile, or hot rod as my mom says.

P.S. welcome aboard, from the village idiot

jg9546 · Post by **jg9546** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 10:20 am

I had the same problem even with sail slugs. Spray some Salikote Dry Lubricant (part #318230 West Marine catalog page 899) on the edge of the sail and along the opening in the mast. Check also if the main halyard did not catch up on the bolds holding spreaders. It was too hard for Macgregor people to cut them off

.

Do not get discourage. It is beginners luck

. I have been there. It will get better

.

Jacek

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:07 pm

THe trick is to have the main stay lined up with the wind so it is fluttering (luffing) and thus does not tension the part of the sail going up the track..

BTW, you want 10 mph or less wind speed first time out...just want to practice getting the sails up and in the right place...you wont move fast or even necessarily where you want to go but that can come later...

sps

KEVIN'S OWN · Post by **KEVIN'S OWN** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 12:47 pm

You're right Jacek - it's must be beginner's luck and it has to change!

Thank you all for the advice, we will be out there trying again to get the sails rigged.

baldbaby2000 · Post by **baldbaby2000** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 1:57 pm

I lost my first sail stopper, and then attached it to a 1' long 1/8" piece of cable from the hardware store.

I've lost a few of those. They don't float! When I run out I wrap a bungee around the mast below the slugs to hold them in. On my Mac 25 I drilled through the track horizontally side to side and used a hair pin cotter pin. Quicker to put in and it stays put.

KayakDan · Post by **KayakDan** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 2:34 pm

Regarding the main halyard catching on the bridle bolt,I think the solution is an upper and lower padeye to restrict the lateral movement of the halyard when it is slack.
I will be making this mod very soon,as I 'm tired of climbing up to flip the halyard loose. Keep in mind that this will only work if you are using a block to lead the halyard aft.
Kevin's Own,hang in there! The learning curve is pretty short,and you'll be cookin' in no time!
Pick up a copy of "sailing for Dummies" or something similar and you will be tossing nautical terms all over before you know it.

Catigale · Post by **Catigale** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:09 pm

On my Mac 25 I drilled through the track horizontally side to side and used a hair pin cotter pin. Quicker to put in and it stays put.

Clever mod...

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 3:44 pm

baldbaby2000 wrote:
I lost my first sail stopper, and then attached it to a 1' long 1/8" piece of cable from the hardware store.
I've lost a few of those. They don't float! When I run out I wrap a bungee around the mast below the slugs to hold them in. On my Mac 25 I drilled through the track horizontally side to side and used a hair pin cotter pin. Quicker to put in and it stays put.

My boat came from Bill at Boats4sail and just about everything has fool proof safety . Quick clips and every other this and that all SS and my sail stop came with a SS lanyard so it will never come up missing. I tell Ya that Bill is one clever guy . . . .

mtc · Post by **mtc** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:03 pm

Welcome Kevin's First Mate! Glad to have you aboard!

If this is relatively new to you, you'll find that dropping things overboard is quite commonplace and just trying harder to not let things go isn't always the best remedy. I've learned to accept and them find ways to prevent either dropping the item, like using lanyards which can be dangerous because you could get yourself caught on something. The other method I use is employing items which when dropped, don't usually go overboard.

For example, in the case of your sail slug stop, which I've never been able to keep a hold of (they arent cheap, either!) because when you take the sail off the mast, you've got the stop in your hand - kerplunk!

I use a 1" nylon web with black plastic clips like the ones you see on the shopping carts to strap the kids in the little seat. They're very inexpensive and don't break or let go. If you drop it, it doesn't bounce, bounce, bounce, roll - kerplunk! When I want to doff the mail, I just loosen the clip, and let is slide down the mast, ready for the next raising.

Looks cool, too - like that black line on the Hobbie letting you know you can't downhaul your boom more than that.

Anyway, you're among a great group of sailors. Mac Owners are a rare breed because we chose the more creative way to satisfy our sailing mania.

The little Macs are some of the best boats made.

Welcome, and if I can help you, please just ask.

Michael

trumpetguy · Post by **trumpetguy** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:30 pm

I also am a new Mac M owner. Fortunately I live in Pensacola FL and have access to some terrific riggers and sail makers. I keep my M in a wet slip so I wanted the rigging to be stable and able to handle the "elements" of the slip. Lucky for me I found a rigger who not only knows what he is doing but is helpful in suggesting things to make sailing easier. First off was to take the main to the sail maker for slugs. The sail maker then suggested I go to West Marine for a $10.00 sail stop, which I have in hand. The main will be ready this Friday and I am excited about getting under sail. The wife and I went out Saturday with some 12KT wind and unfurled a piece of the Genny, but based on the advice of my rigger did not let the Genny all the way out. (a balance thing) Even so we made 4.4 kts by GPS and it was a real thrill to be sailing for the first time. The boat absolutely will not tack with headsail only so I just jibed her gently all day.

Try the slugs and sail stop.

mtc · Post by **mtc** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:41 pm

Welcome, Trumpetguy!

Pensacola, eh? A wonderful place to sail. Hopefully, we can see out there together on the Gulf soon.

Two beautiful blue Ms.

Hmmm, if both are blue, which one's faster?

Michael

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Brand new and having problems