MacGregorSailors.com

Hi Guys,

Ever since I slipped my boat last July, I noticed that it lists to port about 3-4 degrees. At first I thought it was my imagination, but even when underway, in calm water, it still lists. I am planning to bring my boat home to do some work on it, so yesterday I went and removed everything that was stored on the boat. I thought that maybe all my "stuff" might be the source of the problem. Well, with everything out, except the basics, it still lists. I even brought my 4' level and placed it across the hatch opening, and yep, she lists.

I went over the boat trying to figure what would cause this problem, but I cannot identify any one thing as the source. I have two batteries under the aft galley seat, with an isolator and Guest battery tender, but then I have my two spare anchors under the forward dinette seat. I also have my starter battery mounted at the very rear of the aft starboard bunk. All the cushions, food and supplies have been removed. My spare sheets and halyards are stowed in the head. That's all that is on the boat.

Anyone have any ideas, or is this normal? BTW, the ballast tanks are full, according to the vent hole. Could I have a ballast tank problem? Out of habit, I check the ballast before I use the boat by opening the vent and opening the fill gate, so the ballast has plenty of time to fill. I'm lost

Pat

Dumb question, but is the mast straight up and down? i.e. the shroud adjusters set correctly?

On Edit: Also, weight forward (the anchors to starboard) doesn't similarly counteract weight aft (port batteries). The wetted surface forward is much narrower. And batteries are much heavier than anchors, no?

~Bob

Hello..
Have you check fuel tanks?
Is your ballast tank partially full/empty?
I can´t think on any other causes

I predict - - - that this thread will become VERY long - - - because I did a search and found NOTHING (wrong keywords?).

BTW, I have NEVER seen ANY MAC LIST!!!

Rick

pokerrick1 wrote:I predict - - - that this thread will become VERY long - - - because I did a search and found NOTHING (wrong keywords?).

BTW, I have NEVER seen ANY MAC LIST!!!

Rick

Oh, please don't say that. I'm just looking for some ideas. And, you are right, I found nothing while searching.

Bob, shrouds are adjusted with Loos Gauge and are even ( 26/29) all around. (use turnbuckles). Anchors with chain and rode are probably within 10 lbs. of 2 24 series batteries, I guess.

Gas tanks are off the boat for winter storage. I will take one tank with me when I go and retrieve the boat, Friday. As I said, I believe the ballast tank to be full, according to the vent hole.

Thanks,
Pat

Just curious, have you checked with the ballast empty? Is there something growing in your ballast tank perhaps displacing water? - grasping here. If I had the issue I would baseline the boat, float it, mastdown, put the mast up, fill ballast, start adding your equipment etc. checking at each stage until you identify the list or the start of the list. Could be a of a couple of factors at work trying to drive you nuts.

Hey Pat,
I also slipped my 'X' when we had it and noticed the same thing.
Listed to port. Initially,just like you, it drove me crazy trying to figure it out waht was off balance.
I did have two batteries under the port seat by the galley. When changing out the batteries, it still listed. I figured maybe the galley molding had more weight than the head molding. I dunno, after a while I just let it go. I did notice one or two other slipped 'X's with a similar list. Like you said 4-5 degrees or maybe a little less, ever so slight to where I could see an owner not noticing.
I slipped the boat for over two years and never had any problems.
My initial thought contained some slight panic as I thought either the ballast was leaking, or I was taking on water. I never found evidence of either.
Do you have your water tanks/bags filled?
Good luck Dude!

Hi Pat

Try to make a list of items on:

Port side: (left)
- 2 Bateries

Starboard side: (right)
-2 spare anchors
-1start Battery
- Halyardsand sheets

Were is your fresh water tank. filled up?

were are your gas tanks? filed up?

Check for bilge water. mainly on port side under the galley and under the stern berth

Check your waterline in the stern.

???

Thanks for all the input.

40Toes....I HOPE that nothing is growing in the ballast tanks! When I put the boat back in the water next month I'll see what it's like without the mast up and go step by step from there.

Compromise....I really appreciate your jumping in here. Now that I know I'm not the only one with this problem, I feel much better. Like you, I thought that the ballast tanks were either leaking or I was taking on water. Whew!

J. Teixeria.....What you listed is all that is on board right now. Fresh water tanks are drained, and fuel tanks are off the boat for winter storage. Also, I have never had water in the bilge and it is dry right now. Never checked the waterline at the stern, but I'll look at it when I go to retrieve the boat.

Thanks guys,
Pat

Do you have a level gage glued to your boat ?

bubba wrote:Do you have a level gage glued to your boat ?

Yes, I have a Clinometer attached with screws to the companionway hatch and it registers a 3-4 degree list. i confirmed this by using my 4' level on top of the hatch opening. Maybe, before I retrieve my boat I'll use my digital protractor to confirm the actual amount of list.

Pat

Never notice much list at anchor but when WOT, I sometimes have to stand to the starboard side to run true. Wierd but no biggy.


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

MadMacX wrote:

bubba wrote:Do you have a level gage glued to your boat ?

Yes, I have a Clinometer attached with screws to the companionway hatch and it registers a 3-4 degree list. i confirmed this by using my 4' level on top of the hatch opening. Maybe, before I retrieve my boat I'll use my digital protractor to confirm the actual amount of list.

Pat

What about a visual? Is it an obvious list or very slight?

Or are you going strictly by the clinometer and the level?

Compromise wrote:

MadMacX wrote:

bubba wrote:Do you have a level gage glued to your boat ?

Yes, I have a Clinometer attached with screws to the companionway hatch and it registers a 3-4 degree list. i confirmed this by using my 4' level on top of the hatch opening. Maybe, before I retrieve my boat I'll use my digital protractor to confirm the actual amount of list.

Pat

What about a visual? Is it an obvious list or very slight?

Or are you going strictly by the clinometer and the level?

It's very obvious that it is listing. You can see it and you can feel it. I can't say that it affects the way the boat handles, but then, this is the only Mac I've ever been on. My only real concern is that I want to make very certain that the water ballast tank is as full as it can be, before I get into difficult sailing conditions. I'd like to trailer the boat to the Gulf this summer for some coastal cruising and I don't want to go out there with a partially filled ballast tank. If while sailing I take a good hit, I just want to make sure that the water ballast does what it's supposed to and rights the boat, if you know what I mean!

Thanks,
Pat

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

And remember that white boats list faster than blue boats.



Jim

(* Sorry, I am no help with your problem...good luck *)