MacGregorSailors.com

Hi Guys,
Sorry I'm so late on responding. I just got most of my pics back from the trip. I had a great time - but didn't do a lot of boating. The weather and family circumstances had me more land locked than cruising. I was down for 4 weeks. 1st week was mods done with boat on the street: Nav lights, installed 2 port lights and made 90% of a screen enclosure I ended up not needing.
Had Mom come down, take a break from the NY cold for a week. She didn't want to go sailing so I took her around a bit, had fun that way. & Then the Admiral joined me for her winter recess, about 9 days. She too, didn't want to be on the water. Boat stayed at the dock behind the house. While the canal was calm, the wind was pretty constant at about 18 kts. On the days I could go out I was double reefed and still overpowered. Many of you would drool for that kind of wind, maybe it was my inexperience, but I wasn't having fun. Lots of spray and chop.
Will post pics and story soon. I forgot the name of the website we often use for uploading pics, feel like and idiot help?

Weather was warm with some cool sessions. And much better than being in NY, but not good for boating.
It was during my stay that those poor football guys tragically got in over their heads regarding the water and weather. My third party boating [snorkling & glass bottom boating W/ mom] was also limited. The ocean side wasn't fun. Waves were often >5 & 6 ft, with mild chop on the bay.

But doing the trip was an adventure
2 B continued...

Gazmn wrote: Will post pics and story soon. I forgot the name of the website we often use for uploading pics, feel like and idiot help?

If you have previously posted pics in the forum, right click the photo and select properties, a box will open with the address details for example "http://www.devinetemptations.com/All_Good.jpg"
"http://www.devinetemptations.com" is the web address
"All_Good.jpg" is the image name.

Can't help with your username or password.

Glenn

Gazmn wrote:Will post pics and story soon. I forgot the name of the website we often use for uploading pics, feel like and idiot help?

I checked your old posts. You have previously posted pics from the photobucket.com website.

Cheers,
Jim

Thanks guys.
Faulty memory or I'd have posted a pic b4.

"Photobucket" - I just couldn't pull it out of the recesses

I'd have posted something like these:






Ok, one more



Album to soon follow

Gazmn,

Do you have one of these on your boat?


If you do, you will develop more confidence when heeling. The Mac handles 35 degrees quite well. Many of us are confident with it heeling even greater. The point is, that with the ability to be able to see what angle you are heeling, the next time you are sailing at what you believe to be an extreme angle, you can see if you have been there before, and survived Your confidence will build. Keep the main sheet in your hand in order to release the main quickly. You will be amazed how quickly the boat rights itself.

Ray

NiceAft wrote:Gazmn,

Do you have one of these on your boat?


If you do, you will develop more confidence when heeling. The Mac handles 35 degrees quite well. Many of us are confident with it heeling even greater. The point is, that with the ability to be able to see what angle you are heeling, the next time you are sailing at what you believe to be an extreme angle, you can see if you have been there before, and survived Your confidence will build. The keep the main sheet in your hand in order to release the main. You will be amazed how quickly the boat rights itself.

Ray

Great Post and though I have a degree of heel indicator on my compass I believe I will look for one like yours ,to attach to the Cabin Sliding Cover! We and I , have sailed with the rub rail in the water .... But I cannot say I was relaxed....
We both love to watch those who can sail in this situation and we have seen hundreds of pictures of this situation but when it comes to sailing at 30 to 40 degrees of sail????

Thanks for the interest & concern guys.
That's what makes this site SO GREAT.

Yes, I do have an inclinometer. Have seen +35 degrees many a day. And I hold my sheets like reverent women hold their rosary

I theorize my issues arise from a boat that may not be optimally trimmed and my limited sailing experience -- which will improve with time and circumstance.

When sailing in winds >10kts I have some issues balancing my boat. I'll find myself not moving efficiently, heave to, and reef. The first picture I posted above, is me returning to Tarpon bay, from further South, wind 18kts on the nose. Once in Tarpon Bay, I tried sailing some as it was blowing 15 - 20. I was dble reefed and battling with my boat. It seemed that I could only sail on certain points, mainly close reefed, or I'd stall. At times I'd fall off - as room would allow, to see if the sheets were in too tight and struggle to regain balance. & again, not make much headway.

My other frustration has been an equipment bug. My depthfinders aren't working properly and I don't trust them. One is a transom model that's connected to my Garmin 498. It was continually showing 4-5 ft. When I Know I had different. The PO installed one under the cooler, that shoots through the ballast tank. It only works when the ballast is in, and I'm under 8 kts.

The Bay side is shallow sailing. Suddenly, I'd notice I was dragging my CB. I'd lift it, turn around tacking or jibing as necessary and head in another direction. Headway while pressing from the wind would again be my concern, especially while in the channel and my only other option would be turning on the motor to get out of the way. For me the issue isn't right of way as much as it is making way. It works out to me not having as much fun as I'd like and opting then for motoring.


One More:

Looks like lots of fun! Wish I was there! Some things to think about reguarding sailing your boat. First, is your rigging tight? You need to have your upper and lower shrouds tight, as well as your headstay and backstay, in order to get good sail performance. You can also get a backstay tensioner to give you the added tension you need upwind under sail, and still be able to un-pin the headstay when you want to take down the mast. Next, how old are your sails and in what condition? If they are the orginal sails you should consider replacing them. A new sail carries the draft farther forward then a worn out streatchy one. This means that the boat will sail forward when you ask it and not just lean and go sideways. New sails will transform your boat! Lastly, there is a lot to learn about sailing and sailing upwind. If possible try to find someone local who can take you out on the water and give you lessons, always nice to learn more. If not then what I do is watch the other boats on the water and find one that is sailing nice and try to get my sails trimmed like theirs. The best thing is that you are out on the water enjoying your boat and not sitting inside typing like me right now!

When not getting a good trim with sheets and other sail controls, try shifting the centerboard up a few inches gradually, while on a steady point of sail. As the board swings up and back the trim of the boat will change on any reach, especially a close reach.

If the transom mounted sensor is mounted to far outboard from the hulls centerline, on the same side that is higher when heeling, it may read erratically due to bubbles near the surface.

Thanks for the 's boys & girls,

Will look into rigging. No, I don't think it's tight and I haven't looked into how that and the height of my CB could affect pointing.

Re: sails, My main is not OEM but a heavier 6 oz from the PO & I don't know how old or how to gauge it's fitness. When I commandeer or Shanghai a Mac or other sailing buddy this season [Starts in 3 weeks ] I'll inquire further.
I know I've luffed the hull out of 'em

One day I'll get it right...

I had to respond to say that we enjoy sailing and leaning and tacking and reefing, all with shrouds and stays that are somewhat loose and with sails that are old and baggy, and I don't use battens. No plans to spend $$ and change anything. Advice to the contrary may improve your racing performance, but will not cause the major inconveniences you describe. Nightsailor's advice seems right-on. (And you can't get reliable depth through the ballast tank.) The only other advice I would give is keep your speed up to prevent stalls.