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Just a few tips.

First, I have to say, I had this same outing, about 15 years ago (well similar anyway)
And so did a lot of these other fellows on this forum, at one time or another. So be of good cheer It happens to everyone.

The 26X is very light and can be very squirrely, when entering and leaving your slip. If you have enough water under you, be sure to keep rudders and centerboard down in this situation. This makes the X much easier to handle at low speeds.

Buy yourself a telescoping boat hook, if there is not one on the boat now. Have someone stand by on the bow with it to catch your cleat when docking (for now..... you'll get much better at this as you do it more)

When docking (and I say this often) SLOW IS PRO Take your time, go slow and soon you'll have the feel of the boat and be able to just kiss the dock, hop off and tie her up. To do that, yes, you need to be able to depend on your outboard to keep running at low idle (check to see if the gas tank vent is opened, first of all. This will effect idle and can make the engine stall. It should be opened when running the outboard)

Here's a trick for you. Before you go out, take the dock line you will untie last (when leaving the dock), untie it from the dock cleat and just loop it around that cleat once. Now take the dock line back to the cleat on the boat, that it is looped around and tied the end of the rope there.
If this is a rear cleat on the boat (try for that in fact), you can now untie the bow cleat, climb aboard, start her up and just sit there and untie the dock line from the cleat on the boat and pull the loose end back onboard, drop her in gear and putt out of your slip.

Have the boat hook handy for awhile during these maneuvers, until you get real good at it

This may sound strange, but it is actually a very similar thing.
Do you remember the first time you tried to use a computer mouse? Remember how difficult it was to get that little arrow to go where you wanted it to go? Now you don't even think about it.
Well, boat handling it very similar and will become second nature with a little getting used to it. And, each boat is different. When I sold my X boat and got the 26D. There was a learning curve with it, where docking is concerned, even though I had a lot of experience with several other makes by then.

See, we are used to cars and expect precise steering........... and cars have brakes. Boat have a mind if their own sometimes. It more like getting your dog to heel on a leash, than driving a car. But we are the men... we can train the dog/boat, right? (or ourselves anyway)

That's bogus about the Bimini.... My X boat was the same way when I got it. These tall guys huh This can be fixed. I've lowered a couple Bimini tops in my time. You can't live without one on some of these desert lakes out here.
When you get to the point of attempting some mods, I'm sure I, or others on this site can give you some help in solving that issue.

Hope I've been helpful..... Go out there and try again. After awhile it'll be second nature.
Oh and try to remain calm. It helps a lot.... I know, 'cause I tend to be a nervous Ned when doing new things myself

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

All I can add to the other great points is - Did you open the breather on the fuel tank? the Engine stalling and then running fine can result from the common mistake (I do it on occasion) of leaving the fuel tank breather closed its bad for the engine and would explain your stalls .

I find there a lot of things to remember and checklists really help. I have to be honest and say that your first trip out is pretty typical of a couple of outings I have had with the family. It does get better as you get systems in place and in particular knowledge of your boat and waterways. Just one funny story prompted by your portapotti spillage.

Took my wife's two aunties out for the day. All going well until one asked to use the toilet. Yep I replied all good to go. Forgot to mention that you have to open the valve to the lower tank. Aunty Liz starts screaming that the toilet is leaking. Sure enough urine is flowing out of the head toward the galley! Cannot drain into the lower storage tank so no where else to go Well chaos ensues because I am trying to work out what is wrong but not allowed into the head threw a few towels down - great, nothing to dry off after swimming. It gets worse. Number 2s as well. Not leaking thankfully - too viscous cleaned up the mess. Opened the valve for the next customer. Poured another glass of wine for the aunties and tried to distract them with the nice sunset.

I think all of us have these mishaps. The important thing is to put your attention on those aspects that can have dire consequences. Make sure all your safety checks are 100%. Having done this however I still find it hard to have a completely smooth outing. Forgot to fill the BBQ gas, left pump for dinghy in car, no cooking oil, did not empty portapotti from last outing (bad mistake ) ......

I have found each time we go out there are less silly mistakes and we are all more relaxed. Enjoy.

kmclemore wrote:

KLMartini wrote:Overall, I felt like a complete idiot.

Ahh... but there's where you're wrong. You've learned something, and therefore are NOT an idiot!

Besides... the real idiot wouldn't have tried at all.

It gets better, as they say.

I agree, and I saw another quote from your blog: All in all I considered it a successful trip. No one died, we didn't get stranded and we only had to call 9-1-1 once. I'm not so sure Kathryn considered it a success though as she continued to have anxiety until the wee hours of the night.

Here’s the bottom line: no one was injured, and you took the steps you needed to take to take care of your family. I would point out that I have had a couple of really touchy times when the wind suddenly went nutso on me and the boat started heeling about 20 degrees (http://ilyasadventures.wordpress.com/ -- the story is entitled “Use the Force”). A similar thing happened just a couple of weeks ago when I got out and the wind increased to about 20 mph and that one reef in the main just wouldn’t cut it. And while I got a little scared in both situations, I also knew what to do, handled it calmly and got back safely. To the extent that you did exactly that, you had a successful time out on the water.

I would recommend taking the boat out with just the two of you and practicing a few maneuvers so you can become comfortable.

A lot of us have been where you are, (I ain't that far removed, believe me) and we're still pluggin 'away....

Don't feel bad, I'd been sailing all my life when I purchased my old San Juan 21. The first time I launched it at the public ramp, I should've made it in one of those "launching ramp mishaps" videos. I didn't put the board down a little before I tried to motor away and ended up bouncing off the end of the pier.

Unlike driving a car, and similar to flying, operating a boat is a three-dimensional thing. You have to contend with current, wind and other forces. It all takes practice and patience. Don't get down on yourself, we've all been there. Put out the fenders, keep off the passengers, and practice a few times before going out in earnest.

A great book or video is Jack Klang's "SINGLE-HANDED DOCKING AND SAIL TRIM". As several people mentioned, it's easier to leave the dock if the dock lines are handled from the boat and not the dock. It gives you total control of the lines.

Enjoy your Mac 26. It's a fun boat and will provide you with many adventures. As I've always said, "It takes only a few days to LEARN how to sail, and the rest of your life to PERFECT it."

Dale
Y.B.NORMAL

It is amazing how the same boat trip can take place at two different times and places. My wife and I had a cruise that featured everything you mentioned, plus a sleet storm. You have my deepest sympathy.

If your dock area has finger piers stuck off a main channel, here's a tip: Grab a dockline and walk your Mac out to the end of the pier and point her down the channel. Do the looped dockline thing that has already been mentioned. When you cast off, you're already pointed the direction you want to go.

And if you don't already have, you need the adapter that hooks up your garden hose to the engine. For flushing after use and so you can work on it til it idles right.

Chip
S/V Macaroon
Dania, FL

Okay, so this time I read your blog, and realize Serenity is in a slip on a river, so you don't need the flush adapter. There is a plastic bottle available at Bass Pro Shops (and probably many other places) that has a scale on the side that tells you how much oil to put in for the amount of gas you bought. Then the cap goes back on the bottle so the last drops of oil don't get on the deck.

Chip

Excellent advice all around. I learned my boat (still on a powerboat - VIP - don't have a sailboat yet) by a friend showing me on my boat and his boat, how the boat reacts under various conditions.

I'd suggest getting to know your slip neighbors, and take them out a few times and see if they can't show you both the ropes. If they're experienced, maybe let them try out your boat at slow speeds, for instance to get a feel of how it behaves and then they could maybe offer advice on what to do in various situations.

It seems every other weekend I have someone new who (bless their hearts) will hold a dock line for me, but then I need to re-explain how to tie, when to let go, etc, etc. It's fun, but my air horns almost got torn off one time by someone trying to be helpful but not having a clue what to do while I was distracted elsewhere. *sigh*

Remain calm above all else, which it sounds like you do.

btw, don't feel bad if you have to re-tie or redo what someone else has already done. Just tell them "oh there's a new knot I learned yesterday I'm going to try - go grab yourself a beer in the cooler" and even if it's the same knot, they probably won't tell the difference, plus they've gone off and left you alone to fix the knot.

Don't get discouraged! I'm addicted to boating, and it's only the lack of money that keeps me from being on one 24/7 (well, that and my wife who isn't obsessed like me)

Thanks so much to you all for the kind words and advice!

Just to answer a few of the questions/comments: We DO have a boat hook and know how to use it! We have taken boating education classes and an introductory sailing class; we learned on a Cal 22, which is definitely different than our new X! and the fuel tank vents were open; I'm thinking the PO hadn't run or serviced the engine for a while!

I carefully read everything y'all suggested and am feeling much more confident for the next adventure!

Cher (my wife) adjusted the idle on the engine and although it seemed to be working much better, it died again yesterday when we were pulling her into the slip (we decided to practice pulling her out and putting her back in the slip while it was just the two of us.) This time the engine died when we were pretty much in the slip so Cher used the boat hook to keep us from hitting our neighbors boat and I stood there and said, "We're going to crash again" watching the bow hit the front of the dock. It wasn't a hard hit at all and there weren't any scratches or dings that we could see so I guess it's all okay. That of course, stopped us, so I hopped off and tied her up.

Needless to say, we won't be going anywhere again until after the Mobile Engine guy comes to have a look at it, which will be later this week.

Thank you thank you!

It's funny we had our fourth outing so far this last weekend, it was a blast swimming in the cool water and rafting up with friends! But... driving to the location (Canyon Lake, AZ) the Mac trailer flexed enough that a front safety strap came off and before I could get it stopped and carved huge gouts in the gelcoat and...ripped the valve stem out of the left trailer tire,requiring a roadside tire change in soft dirt. Oh yeah later in the day we dinged the fresh prop, not as much my fault this time. Oh yeah the engine is surging too.

Still had fun, some good mellow moments. I will take pics next time and show.

[quote][/But we are the men... we can train the dog/boat, right? (or ourselves anyway)quote]

I just saw this! Actually I'm not a man, I'm very much a lady and so is my wife. I'm not sure who of us is the Admiral!

KLMartini wrote:

[/But we are the men... we can train the dog/boat, right? (or ourselves anyway)quote]

I just saw this! Actually I'm not a man, I'm very much a lady and so is my wife. I'm not sure who of us is the Admiral!

You're posting on the forum, so that makes you the Captain

Smart to get a pro check out the motor. You need one that you can rely on.

Looking at your jib, that looks really messed up. Hopefully you can get it sorted out. It should roll nice and neatly around the forestay.

KLMartini wrote:

[/But we are the men... we can train the dog/boat, right? (or ourselves anyway)quote]

I just saw this! Actually I'm not a man, I'm very much a lady and so is my wife. I'm not sure who of us is the Admiral!

The Captain is usually the one obsessed with boating/sailing/whatever, and the Admiral is the "other" party, the one we have to keep happy to keep doing our boating/sailing/etc.

RussMT wrote:Smart to get a pro check out the motor. You need one that you can rely on.

Looking at your jib, that looks really messed up. Hopefully you can get it sorted out. It should roll nice and neatly around the forestay.

Seriously! We got it turned around the other day with help from our neighbors and unwound it and wound it back up. At least it's not backwards anymore!

The motor guy comes on Friday so we'll know what up then.