New to forum.

[Sunnydolan]

Hello, new to forum, many boats in the past, ODay 21, 34, Thompson trawler 34, about 6 platform, ski and just runarounds. Now 2000 Mac 26X. Getting her ready for summer fun. Couple of quick questions, diameter of topping lift line? Also has anyone made a quick disconnect for the mast crutch (seems like a pain to bolt and unbolt each launch)? Lastly, managing the boarding ladder, pretty floppy design it seems.

[Stickinthemud57]

Welcome to the forum!

Topping lift line? As long as it's strong enough to support the boom, whatever suits you. 3/8's inch should do.

I just leave my crutch in place. Handy place to hang things to dry.

I installed some stainless steel spring clips to hold the ladder in the up position, and attached a piece of rope so that it could be pulled down from the water.

[PhysicsTeacher]

Welcome to the forum!

Blue Water Yachts (the source of all parts Mac related) sells a kit of quick release pins:
https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3459-1v0.htm

I have several of the mast base quick pins. They get used to pin my mast on the base (obviously), as well as to pin the mast into the mast crutch and to pin the mast to the bow. I think I also have 2 extras, just in case.

Kelvin

[NiceAft]

Sunnydolan,

Welcome to the friendliest forum on the internet. It is that way because of our members. Ask any question. Don’t forget to make all sorts of mods to your Mac, there is a section full of mods made by members. Post pictures of your adventures.

[OverEasy]

Welcome Sunnydolan!

We’re all here to help!
PhysicsTeacher already introduced B.W Y and the quick release pins.
Get them in Stainless Steel (SST) as they will last must longer. Like he mentioned it’s good to get a spare or two.

StickInTheMud57 has a solution for the mast crutch you might want to try out.

There are several after market swim platforms/ladders.
One suggestion might be to see if you might be able adjust it.
We use an auxiliary large knotted line to help with boarding from the water.
Working on making a rope “hand” ladder with several PVC hand rungs to make it easier to grip.
Also making a rope extension with wood rungs for our ladder eventually to give ourselves an easier ‘leg-up’.

Welcome!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Russ]

Welcome.

As mentioned, BWY sells quick rig pins. That's what I have. Makes rigging a little faster.

Topping lift doesn't have to be complicated.
Mine is a single line from the top of the mast down to the end of the boom with 2 clips. One for sailing (longer) and one for getting the boom high and out of the way.




BTW, you will see in the photo above I don't have the reefing lines rigged. I don't bother to reef anymore. If it's that windy, I'm not sailing at all. Admiral doesn't like those conditions.

[Starscream]

Hello, new to forum, many boats in the past, ODay 21, 34, Thompson trawler 34, about 6 platform, ski and just runarounds. Now 2000 Mac 26X. Getting her ready for summer fun. Couple of quick questions, diameter of topping lift line? Also has anyone made a quick disconnect for the mast crutch (seems like a pain to bolt and unbolt each launch)? Lastly, managing the boarding ladder, pretty floppy design it seems.

Almost every bolt on my boat has been replaced by stainless steel trailer hitch pins with the safety locking wire. Just put "Trailer Hitch Pin Quick Release" in amazon and choose the right diameter and length. I use them for the rudder lock pins, in the spreaders, on the boom, you name it.

Topping lift line doesn't have a specified diameter, but there are never supposed to be wind loads on it so 3/8" IMO. I think I'd even go 1/4.

[dustoff]

I got my orignal topping lift from BWyachts as well, with the two hooks on a 1/4 inch line tied off to the top of the mast. I decided that only being able to elevate the boom to only two different heights was inconvenient. It would always make the boom a bit too high or a bit too low and sometimes cause it to chafe against the bimini when sailing with that up. I set up a a jam cleat with one end tied off to the bottom of the topping lift line and the other end passing through the line after before looping though the eyestrap at the end of the boom. Allows me to use it as a way to have infintely variable adjustments to the topping lift and weight of boom secures jam cleat nicely.