MacGregorSailors.com

I have a month to replace a grease nipple on the OB, replace some studs on the trailer, re-wire the trailer harness, un-tarp it, load it and get it to the water for two months of crabbing and shrimping; before the commercial guys start.

Hey I like this thread because I figure if I have to post my mods, then I'll have more incentive to get them done. Once the nice weather comes I'd rather be sailing than modding.
-Grease is splattering out from behind the hub of one of the trailer wheels so I'll probably replace bearing and seal. I'll replace pads too since they're most likely contaminated with grease.
-I have a spinnaker on order so I'll have to get another hound installed about 2 feet higher on the mast I guess.
-install the following items I have had for a few years now:
-18in wheel
-battery switch
-new cam cleats for jib sheets
-solar vent
and probably some other things that I can't remember.

Sadly, I don't have a big list.
Mostly maintenance.
Annual bottom wax and deck (smooth areas)
Replace furler track. The old one is way too deformed. (part stretched out under the house ready to go)

Mods:
Install new cockpit table (gift from admiral)
Replace carpet in cabin. I had wood flooring in there and didn't like it.
Install dock whips to hold boat away from dock.

HI Tomfoolery, I did lots of research and for where I would use it ( up in northern Canada ) I bought one of these:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Seachoice-41670 ... 1129581932

I got it locally for $60.00 and its suppose to be pretty good for holding. Looking at anchor rollers I finally settled on this one:

http://www.aliexpress.com/snapshot/6440 ... 7662110216

I just got it in the mail and its awesome and built really well. Its also pretty dam cheap compared to anywhere on this side of the world. So now I need about 6 feet of chain and then I will have to figure out how to secure the chair and anchor in the up position but other than that it should be great. Let me know if you need any other information:)

I would love to get some stern rail seats on . But, Dowsar keeps telling me they are coming in at a later date. Today I found out they won't be in until mid-April.
They also told me they'd be in in November, then February, and them March.

Also, I have to fix my mast cap, on which I had incorrectly installed a windicator whose bracket faced forward from the mast or up when on the trailer. It wasn't a problem until it caught a tree branch and promptly ripped a hole in the mast cap.

After endless motor issues last season I've been holding off on mods this winter until I had a clear path ahead identified for my outboard. Fortunately Evinrude Customer Service came through for me and a possible re-engining expense appears to have been averted. So...autopilot (Raymarine tiller pilot) is back on the winter agenda along with New Glass in my continued effort to overcome 10 years of neglect from previous owners. Very excited to begin season two with the boat, good sailing in last year despite the engine issues.

Despite buying a new out of the box , we have mods too.

Swap the head curtain for a custom, pretty one. The white vinyl is so stiff it covers up half the doorway.
Install a stereo, speakers and a tv.
Install a new face for the galley, one with access to all the storage underneath.
Teak or teak-like flooring.
Pillows, of course.
Sew some rope bags
Find a way to keep the gas tanks in their laserettes. each one has only a center web strap. I am thinking of a modified rope bag design. The pockets can hold the winch handle and beverages while the mesh will allow for air flow.
Modify the companionway ladder for the dog.
Turn the well of the dinette into a charging station for phones, etc
Sew a helm seat cushion
Bimini
Add a 2nd battery
Add 110 v outlets in various locations
Provide access to underseat storage so we don't have to keep moving the cushions.
Build a plexiglas hatch door
Sew bug netting for the door and forward hatch
Sew a wind scoop for the forward hatch
Curtains for the skylights to cut down on the solar radiation
Design a hutch for the galley

Not too much

There are other ideas floating, but until we take possession and try her out we won't know what we really need and how best to do them.

Our list reflects our plans to become live aboards for over a year, starting this August, when we set out on our Great Loop cruise. I'm focusing on reliability, livability, comfort, convenience and safety. The list so far is as follows:

1. Bow pulpit storage bag, to hold trip line and buoy
2. Cleat and snap shackle system for quickly pulling the dinghy along side and rafting to the Mac
3. Installing new stainless sink, corian countertop and fiddle for the galley
4. Rebuilding and expanding the dish storage rack which sits on the galley countertop, up against the hull
5. Installing two additional fishing rod holders on the stern stanchions, for a total of 2 on each corner (I use them to hold barbque table, stern anchor, a pair of fishing poles, and maybe a gaff or landing net)
6. Getting the hull seal coated and bottom painted
7. Sandblasting the trailer and repainting it
8. Replacing lifelines and centerboard line
9. Replacing the foam on all interior cushions and sewing up new cushion covers
10. Installing new cabin carpet
11. Possible installation of AIS receiver
12. Purchase of locator beacon or EPIRB
13. Sewing organizer pocket systems for both sides of the Vee berth area
14. Building additional storage shelves on the hull step behind the side settee backrest and in the head
15. Fabricating and installing a carbon filter for the composting toilet exhaust hose
16. Installing a gimbaled ventilation fan on the cabin ceiling

Items 1, 3, 4, and 16 are completed. Numbers 2, 9, 10, and 15 are underway. The rest will start as soon as possible. Our planned August 15 departure date will be upon us before we know it. Hopefully, all will be ready by then.

Tony E wrote:HI Tomfoolery, I did lots of research and for where I would use it ( up in northern Canada ) I bought one of these:

Southerners

So many mods - so little time

I got 20 ideas reading you guy's plans.
Here's one that I stole from another posting - but I don't know how to go about, fully.

Setting up an IP camera[s] for security (1). To monitor conditions while home (2) & low light IR visibility from MFD (3).

I'm gonna steal these from Mike & Bobbob:

2. Cleat and snap shackle system for quickly pulling the dinghy along side and rafting to the Mac
3. Installing new stainless sink, corian countertop and fiddle for the galley
4. Rebuilding and expanding the dish storage rack which sits on the galley countertop, up against the hull

& I'd like to rough in my 12V Snuba Rig - but no great rush. The above are more important.

P.S. I'm dreading the year I strip off the bottom coats & put on new barrier coats & paint. It won't be this year
I also have a moratorium on replacing my porta pottie with composting head. I just don't use it enough.

Regarding the dinghy securing system, I think this will be pretty cool. The dinghy is always a hassle, when docking or anchoring, with the painter at risk of getting pulled into the prop, even though it's a floating poly line. I will install a snap shackle on the tow line, just ahead of the bridle, at the ideal location for snapping to one of the stanchions located near the cabin bulkheads (the rear stanchions, within easy reach from the cockpit). I'll install a pair of jam cleats, one on each side, on the aft corners of the boat, with each cleat pointing downward. In the back of the dinghy I'll set up a short line, attached to the dinghy transom at both corners and just long enough to reach a jam cleat when the dinghy is drawn up alongside. The drill will be, when nearing a mooring location or entering a lock, to pull the dinghy painter in and quickly snap the tow line to the stanchion with the snap shackle. I'll have the boat hook handy, so I can reach over and snag the line I've rigged at the stern of the dinghy. All I'll have to do is secure this line to the jam cleat and the dinghy will be securely rafted to the side of the boat, where it can't get into trouble. That's my plan anyway, and I'm looking forward to giving it a test.

Your bridle sounds handy, Mike.

Before that, I had envisioned using 1/2 pvc or plastic conduit -which is more flexible, with a line thread through it; about 5- 8' [maybe 2 4 or 5' sections to make it stowable] long pvc length to separate the dink from the Mac. Maybe a snapshackle as a quick connect dink side & a loop large enough to double on the other with stopper knots on each side large enough to stop the line from going through. This way I can manhandle the dink when needed. Maybe some pool noodle around pvc to make it float...

I'd loop it on opposite side cleat or winch when needed.

P. S. Give Sandy my love

Ha ha funny Yukon Bob! So I am probably a little bit south of you but I am still a lot more northern than most of the people on this site. Right now the temp outside this morning is a minus 43 below Celsius so I know I am up north:)

yukonbob wrote:

Tony E wrote:HI Tomfoolery, I did lots of research and for where I would use it ( up in northern Canada ) I bought one of these:

Southerners

While that's technically very (very) true, I've noticed we have the same weather forecast. Please close the door, and keep that stuff up there. I'm tapping out. <tap tap>

I'll tell you what mod I would LOVE to do is Victor's Autopilot. Hint Hint

Would buy it today and work in the cold to install it.