In need of a MacGregor mentor - update 2 at top

[AmandaRuth]

I'm so thankful to you all, and for your suggestions and links and patience. I have some thinking to do. I would likely implement a more mechanical solution to the valve on the transom like others have done. Keeping my boat in the water year round with an electric mechanism is probably not the way for me to go. Extending the existing rod is I think my preferred path.

With gas prices high and my love to go fast sometimes prevents me from keeping the ballast full at all times.

I'm just counting my lucky stars that nothing went awry so far. There were some times I've tacked and healed a bit beyond my comfort - and in hind sight that could have been that sloshing theory. Healing is great on some boats in some conditions, so don't get me wrong. Hair standing up on the back of my neck was likely a sign that something was rigged wrong and I'm glad I adjusted quickly to prevent turtling.

[Be Free]

I usually lean over the seat (way over!) to open or close the valve. Closing it after draining and still on a plane while single handing is interesting. One of these days it's going to bite me.

Come to think of it, I guess it already did. I lost a very nice phone out of my shirt pocket doing that maneuver.

[Russ]

Extending the existing rod is I think my preferred path.

Agreed.

I'm like Ray (NiceAft) and simply use a boat hook to open/close the valve. That DOES require leaning over the back which could be a bit dangerous.

Which makes me think of THE BEST mod for the Mac26 ever is the quick motor release for the steering. If you don't have this, you probably need it. It should have been standard from the factory.

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/5712-1m0.htm

With gas prices high and my love to go fast sometimes prevents me from keeping the ballast full at all times.

Nothing wrong with this. If not for the admiral, I would motor without ballast also.
As Jimmy always says, your boat, your rules.

[AmandaRuth]

Oh no - anyone want to start a side business of retrieving old phones? I see so many phones go in - therefore I never bring mine above deck.

I am not long enough to reach over, so I have to lift the seat, remove the baffle (installed to keep motor sounds low) and hope. It is my least favorite task. I can push it down with a boat hook, but lifting it (since it is new) requires some dexterity that the boat hook lacks. I may be able to fashion a long loop that can go over the T of the valve - so I can pull and maybe do some small wiggling of the valve. I will look more at the mod links sent to me, but I don't recall seeing that 'invention'.

Russ - Looked at what you sent. I'm not sure that applies to my MacX? Prior owner installed autopilot and such - which I use when light-handed and only in a pinch when not under sail. Disassembling motor steering doesn't seem to be the way I should go....

[Russ]

The problem with the 26M is when you tilt the motor UP, it pulls the wheel sideways as the motor flops over. Disconnecting the motor from the steering and centering it solves this problem. Sailing with motor down causes big drag. Once I'm out of the marina, I disconnect the motor and center it until returning when I need more steering thrust.

If this isn't a concern for you, that's great news. I would prefer keeping it connected.

Autopilot is on my todo list. But I think disconnecting the motor would still be an issue.

[AmandaRuth]

Russ - that's not an issue with my MacX thankfully. I lift the motor when I sail due to drag, but it doesn't affect steering.

[Be Free]

I have an engine disconnect on my X. It does make the steering a little lighter but not enough to be worth disconnecting it.

[Jimmyt]

I have an engine disconnect on my X. It does make the steering a little lighter but not enough to be worth disconnecting it.

Glad you posted that Bill. I never would have believed it. On my M, the experience is night and day different. Steering with the motor tilted makes the helm heavy and miserable under sail.

Wonder why the X is so different?

[AmandaRuth]

JimmyT - I dunno. When I steer my X, the motor and rudders all move together as one set...Not sure how the M works, exactly.

[NiceAft]

In the seventeen years I have my M, I have never had a problem with raising the Honda 50 HP four stroke and sailing. I have read the posts many times of board members who report their happiness with the mod, but I never related.

I guess this is an example of the 3 S.W. Rule; some will, some won’t so what

[Jimmyt]

I didn't have a problem sailing it with the motor connected, but I didn't like the feel of my outboard flopping around when I was steering. When I got my quick disconnect, my only regret was not getting it sooner.

Your boat, your rules...

[Jimmyt]

JimmyT - I dunno. When I steer my X, the motor and rudders all move together as one set...Not sure how the M works, exactly.

The M is the same. The linkage is different, but the overall function is the same.

[NiceAft]

I didn't have a problem sailing it with the motor connected, but I didn't like the feel of my outboard flopping around when I was steering. When I got my quick disconnect, my only regret was not getting it sooner.

Your boat, your rules...

Our Mac’s are flexible. They allow us to do what we want.

You say, “Your boat, your rules...”; I say, some will, some won’t, so what; potayto pahtahto. In the end, we meet here, with civility, and exchange thoughts with a wide variety of sailors that probability says we would never come across.

[Russ]

Interesting the different experiences with steering.

I wonder if it's the type of motor that causes it. I have a Suzuki 70 and maybe the center of gravity of the head is such that causes it to flop to one side when tilted.

It is effectively impossible to keep it attached while tilted up. If I turn the wheel slightly off-center, it whips the wheel out of my hand and pulls all the way over. The disconnect is the only way I can sail with the motor tilted up.

[Jimmyt]

Interesting the different experiences with steering.

I wonder if it's the type of motor that causes it. I have a Suzuki 70 and maybe the center of gravity of the head is such that causes it to flop to one side when tilted.

It is effectively impossible to keep it attached while tilted up. If I turn the wheel slightly off-center, it whips the wheel out of my hand and pulls all the way over. The disconnect is the only way I can sail with the motor tilted up.

My Etec 60 wouldn't quite whip the wheel out of my hands, but it was VERY heavy on the steering. And, it would turn the wheel if I let go of it. I'm sure you're onto something regarding the powerhead balance. I'm pretty old and pitiful, but I can't imagine that everyone that bought the quick disconnect is as weak and pathetic as I am...