After you first got your Mac, what was the first thing you..

[Tony E]

Hello everyone, I thought I would ask everyone this question just to see what is or was important to you...." After you first got your Mac, what was the first say $500.00 to a $1,000.00 spent on improving your vessel?" Was it say electronics or a new trailer, bathroom things or sails? I am curious to see what everyone's opinion on what was important at that time or now even. Thanx and I can't wait to see your answers:)

[K9Kampers]

No big $$ things for the first season, just a new porta-potty and a bunch of little things.

[NiceAft]

When I ordered our , I knew that I would have neither the time, or inclination to start working on it. I ordered it with everything I wanted. It has sufficed for ten seasons.

Now that I am thinking about eventual retirement, I am also thinking that I will finally run all lines to the cockpit I never had the need, but I think it would be nice

Ray

[FishyFabs]

My Mac came with almost everything except for a fish finder and down riggers. Those were my first purchases.

[paul I]

Chartplotter/fishfinder and shore power setup.

[dlandersson]

My PO had done everything including the kitchen sink. I spent the first season or two figuring out everything I had.

My first "improvement" was checking out the various marinas and leasing a slip so that it was always ready to go. About $2,000 a season.

Hello everyone, I thought I would ask everyone this question just to see what is or was important to you...." After you first got your Mac, what was the first say $500.00 to a $1,000.00 spent on improving your vessel?" Was it say electronics or a new trailer, bathroom things or sails? I am curious to see what everyone's opinion on what was important at that time or now even. Thanx and I can't wait to see your answers:)

[yukonbob]

Same here. We made sure all big ticket items were included when we bought ours. I would recommend using it for a season to see what you want and need. We originally loaded the boat up with all new kitchen items, slept in the back berth and kept all the cushions that came with it on the boat while cruising. Shortly after we ditched most of the cushions, moved to the V berth, got rid of half the galley items we weren’t using, ditched a few other useless items. In the first year there were a number of things we had thought we wanted or needed that thinking back now seem absurd (can’t think of specifics) So aside from safety items, reliable motor, a depth sounder and some form of charts. I’d use it for a year before you go wasting good boat bucks on something you may regret; or at least save some bucks this turn and get something really useful later. I would personally start a list of items you want and add all the things you find annoying in your first year (lines not led aft, blown out sails, bottom paint etc) that way you can prioritize what you need before your wants.

[Tony E]

So as of now it sounds like most people either ordered the "cream of the crop" Mac with all the toys and they are very happy with what they got. Some went to the hi-tech fish finder/gps/sonar route which makes sense. MY 26X came with a Lowrance fish finder/gps and yes it took me one season to check it out and see how it works but now I am spending money on the maps. I probably got $300.00 into the maps but you need them or the GPS is nothing but a mere blinking dot on a blank screen.I had to get a stove and now I am figuring on getting a composting toilet which will run me a few bucks as in $1500.00 or so. Its interesting to see where people put there money when they are investing into their Mac. I agree that the best way of doing this and getting your Mac up to 100% is to order a brand new one with all the bells and whistles but we are all not rich like you guys:) ( I am just jealous anyway and would love to order a new Mac!!!)

[March]

I got mine in May and it took me two months of toiling away before I felt it was worth testing it out on the lake. Working on the Mac and solving the problems was a pleasure, and taught me a lot about the inners of the boat.
The boat came with everything, including a Dowsar enclosure, bimini, port-a-potty, grill, Origo stove, folding table in the cockpit, a transparent hatch to the companionway, and an old Lowrance depthfinder ...
- rewired the whole boat using marine grade wires, plus an electrical panel with extra fuses
- installed a solar panel to top off the batteries for the electric cooler (high on the priority list). The first frame I had was cobbled together from an old bicycle rack, lol. It worked for 4 seasons
- installed a Xantrex distributor, so I won't have to mess with the 1/2/both switch
- installed portholes from the rear berth into the cockpit. Good mod, though what I see is mostly ankles, but it has a good psychological effect. The rear berth is less claustrophobic
--installed electric pumps to the faucets (at first, only to the galley, but I added one to the head later on)
- one solar vent to keep air moving

In this configuration, the boat worked flawlessly for the first 4 years. The additional investments didn't add significantly more to the cost of the boat

Eventually, I moved to more expensive additions: a third battery with a new 3-way isolator/distributor, plus the computerized display, a new ETEC engine, a second solar panel on more professionally made aluminum brackets, a new depthfinder/gps, compost toilet, autopilot, a second grill, LED lights. Before each sailing season, I managed to set some money aside for new improvements. It doesn't break the bank and you don't have to be a millionaire if sailing is your passion and the satisfaction of having it done yourself cannot be converted into money.

True, when my new mechanic viewed my electrical setup, he freaked out and called it a "monstrosity", but it is safe, correctly done, it works, and I know how I wired every little piece of equipment--though in hindsight color-coding the wires would have been wiser.
-

[yukonbob]

All that being said I love our chart plotter/GPS/fish/depth sounder with detailed charts. The dual burner stove and SS sink along with full galley remodel has made cooking a pleasure. We only got the full enclosure two seasons ago which doubles the cabin size and makes cruising in weather unbeatable (aside from fogging issues) Cost a bunch but worth it for us. We don’t have nice beaches to slide the boat up on so the tender with 2.5 kicker was essential for getting to shore. I ran the stock sails until they started to tear, and replacing them with a set of Judy’s Hyde sails was a great investment.

[Tomfoolery]

Replaced the seized brakes on both axles with disc brakes, new actuator coupler, and lines. Brakes burned up bringing it home. But I was expecting to replace them (drum brakes), so no big deal.

The rest of my efforts went into cleaning up the 'creative' way many things were done on the boat.

[Russ]

Magma Grill. We cook everything on this thing. Great investment.



New sink, pressure water and removed cubbies in favor of doors. I use 2 5 gal Coleman jugs in the V-Berth fed to the pressure pump.
12v Cooler. GREAT investment. No soggy wet food. No ice taking up half the cooler space. Love that thing.



First hole I drilled was for the 12v washdown pump. Intake hose goes over the side, white garden coiled hose to sprayer. Cheap spray nozzle also has "mist" setting which is great for cooling off.

[bahama bound]

Bought 50 h.p to hold me over til I hot a 90 h.p .then tandem aluminum trailer ,got the 90 ,then Honda Gen and a/c .then Engle freezer ,still spending

[Highlander]

Seeing I bought it new without an eng , first thing was a 75HP Merc 4stroke

J

[Don T]

HELLO,
First season was a Magellan GPS & dual batteries. Had a few odds and ends to do like mod the steering cuz' mine didn't come with a rudder to motor link. Also the occasional seized stainless bolt/nut here and there.