MacGregorSailors.com

40Toes wrote:Is there something growing in your ballast tank perhaps displacing water?

Yeah - - - what Toes said - - - maybe a small aligator got into your ballast tank and GREW and only sleeps on the port side of the tank - - - maybe - - - could be

Rick

Pat,

A strange problem indeed. The only thing I can think of is the rig. The backstay attaches on the starboard side, thus perhaps pulling the masthead that way and causing more shroud tension on the port side??? Maybe I'm reaching here. You did mention that your shrouds are 29 all around on the loose gage. That's quite low. Perhaps so low that the mast isn't adequately supported and the weight aloft is going to one side, causing the list??? First your uppers should be tighter than your lowers. Most here don't have their rig as tight as mine, but here's a comparison: 34 lowers, 44 uppers. I believe average would be more like 32/40. I would experiment with empty ballast, also mast up/down, backstay on/off. Before all that, I would tighten those shrouds. Ballast leaks are very uncommon. My memory isn't very good, but I don't recall anyone here ever reporting a ballast leak.

Good luck in discovering the problem.

LD TRIPPLE REEFED

Also I'm curious if any of our members from downunder have list problems and if so are theirs to the starboard?

Yep! To starboard, and more exagerated; more like 10-15 degrees.

Mind you, there were 4 large men playing cards at the dinette, and the cooler was full of beer at the time.

Madmacx

Just a idea...

Maybe idiotic... but...

Your boat is empty and...

In what position is your motor ?

delevi wrote:Pat,

You did mention that your shrouds are 29 all around on the loose gage. That's quite low. Perhaps so low that the mast isn't adequately supported and the weight aloft is going to one side, causing the list??? First your uppers should be tighter than your lowers. Most here don't have their rig as tight as mine, but here's a comparison: 34 lowers, 44 uppers. I believe average would be more like 32/40. I would experiment with empty ballast, also mast up/down, backstay on/off. Before all that, I would tighten those shrouds. Ballast leaks are very uncommon. My memory isn't very good, but I don't recall anyone here ever reporting a ballast leak.

Good luck in discovering the problem.

LD TRIPPLE REEFED

Right now I have 26 (245#) on the lowers and 29 (320#) on the uppers. I arrived at those numbers based upon discussions on this board. Now, I don't sail in the same water you do, so I guess I was being somewhat conservative when I tensioned my rig. When I put my boat back in the water, I'll increase the tension and see what I get. Thanks for your ideas.

J. Teixeira.....Motor down all the time.

Lease.....OK, tell me, how much beer do I have to carry on the starboard side to to offset the 3-4 degree list?

pokerrick1....This boat came from the Gulf side of Fla., so no telling what might lurk in the ballast tank. What ever it is, it must be heavy because my 185# can't offset it.

Thanks,
Pat

I have a 2001 X and it too has always done as you described. At first, I discounted it to the 3 batteries under the galley/seat. But no matter how I loaded the boat, it still had that ever so slight list to port. My shroud adjuster holes are mirrored port/starboard. Though I notice the list each time, I just try to ignore it and enjoy the trip. Must be something in the design---(maybe only Roger knows).
Maybe this is why I always try to raft on the starboard side.

Hello,
I never noticed a list on my 95 Mac but did after I modified the galley. All that stuff under the table went into the galley storage and my batteries are under the port aft seat. It is only a little off if my water tank is full and the head is charged. I generally use fuel from the port tank first and move stuff around (includes bio movable ballast) to balance the boat when under way. Since the loading is never the same as a trip unfolds, I simply make adjustments as we go.

Don

Pat,

I think the numbers on my Loose gage are differen from yours. There are two scales for 1/8" and 5/32" cable. Perhaps different models vary. So never mind what I said earlier. Your rig tension, though on the light side, is unlikely to be the culprit here, provided all loads are balanced.

Hope you figure it out. Surprised to read about so many people experiencing the same issue.

Leon

I'm going to reset my Level Gage so that my doesn't list anymore

bscott

I'd like to hear some of our board member Dealers, take on this Is this a known issue? Or just what do they think?

Allan

delevi wrote:Pat,

I think the numbers on my Loose gage are differen from yours. There are two scales for 1/8" and 5/32" cable. Perhaps different models vary. So never mind what I said earlier. Your rig tension, though on the light side, is unlikely to be the culprit here, provided all loads are balanced.

Hope you figure it out. Surprised to read about so many people experiencing the same issue.

Leon

We must have two different gauges. I'm using the PT-1 and if I use your numbers, I would probably rip the chainplates out of my boat.

bscott wrote:I'm going to reset my Level Gage so that my doesn't list anymore

bscott

The thought occurred to me that I could just mount it with Velcro, that way I can adjust the gauge to the boat! Works for me!

Pat

pokerrick1 wrote:maybe a small aligator got into your ballast tank

pokerrick you are friggen hilarous! Tell us again how you NEVER ever seen ANY MAC LIST because that was very helpful!

Mine has always listed as well but to Starboard. It lists about three degrees. I chalked it up to the real head I installed when I got the boat (being porcelan with a holding tank).

40Toes wrote:

pokerrick1 wrote:maybe a small aligator got into your ballast tank

pokerrick you are friggen hilarous! Tell us again how you NEVER ever seen ANY MAC LIST because that was very helpful!

Of course you have to realize that I don't associate with X owners (only M owners with white hulls) - - - that's why I have never seen a Mac list

Heck - - - it's hard enoough to get them to go fast enough to heel, much less list

Rick

MadmacX,

Have you checked the accuracy of your measuring device? If you're using a common level and if it has ever been dropped, or shocked, it may very well read 3 - 4 degrees off true. Small, "spirit levels" are particularly prone to errors. I'd recommend that you calibrate your level.

Incidently, you say your boat lists toward port. Which port; Charleston?? That's a beautiful city!