MacGregorSailors.com

My 2008 Resolution, is to stay out of the PUB, and focus my energies on new modifications and upgrades to my X boat.

SO, in order to best use my time, and recognizing their are many many creative types on this board,

I want some new ideas....

The craziest,
the simplest,
The most useful,

Stuff we have not talked about in here yet,
Things like

Removable or Folding pedestals,
In cabin steering and remote hydraulic steering,
Transom extensions.
External hull strakes
Combination diesel fired stove, water heater, cabin heater.....
Second centerboard,
A traveler that does not get in the way,
An arch that mounts to the existing sternrailings, (not requiring removal)
maybe even a forward cabin extension, or increasing cabin height in an X boat.


and all the other ideas I have not heard yet.

New year is coming, and I havent cut any fiberglass in a month.

all the good stuff we all wish we had....... that no one has figured out an inexpensive and glamorous solution to,

okay... how about underwater lights.

Granted these things are expensive and on larger boats. But how cool is this?

perhaps I would need a few other options first....

For example a 3 kw, stirling cycle generator to power that much HID lighting......



What about incorporating the lighting into the centerboard???, or better yet, into the rudders so that they could be used above or below water....

hmmmm

How about a fiberglass "Pop Top"? Large, so that when it is down it covers the entire cockpit keeping it clean. When up, everyone in the cockpit dry during the occasional shower, and out of the cancer causing sun. It would have to include windows to view the sail trim (or LCD displays). Put a traveller across it (Similar to the large Cats).

Maybe mounting bow thrusters to the rudders eliminate the Outboards . . . go to the 35 ft mast with a 12 ft boom dragging the thrusters under sail produces electrical current (concentrically wound motors) to recharge the batteries.
Hummm Dag-nab-it . . . . . a similar system is already in use.

There has to be a way of adding a transom extension which could be used as a dive/swim platform. Has anyone had a go at this?

There has to be a way of adding a transom extension which could be used as a dive/swim platform. Has anyone had a go at this?

I give it 2 months before someone has installed underwater lighting on the rudders. Love that idea.

I've done the in cabin steering, (mainly as a backup method of steering in case the main helm fails). It is on the mods section maybe 4 years old now.

For heating I installed a double walled vent pipe with rain hood and used this to vent a simple stove, using a couple of reducers (backwards) to expand it to a vent gas collection hood. The venting was too efficient, so added a damper valve in the flue pipe to keep it from pulling too hard.
This one is also shown in the mods. But the burner I used was way too powerful (an Alpaca kerosene burner), A simple coleman dual fuel expedition would be more than enough heat I think. Note that the vent pipe is the main heat exchanger to heat the cabin air, hence it should be made artificially long and uninsulated on the inside part to deliver heat to the cabin air. THis can be enhanced with a 12V fan blowing on the pipe.

waternwaves wrote:perhaps I would need a few other options first....

For example a 3 kw, stirling cycle generator to power that much HID lighting......



What about incorporating the lighting into the centerboard???, or better yet, into the rudders so that they could be used above or below water....

hmmmm

Oh, they make 12V 35watt underwater lights. Maybe not good for long term use, but it would be very cool at anchor at night.

I had a new siwm ladder made with an extra step. very easy to get in and out of the boat. It does hit the ground on the trailer.

A swim platform could be made to float beside the boat and some dinghy steps from the aft cleat used to get on and off. Or you could just use the dinghy.

I am using the 4 step rope ladder and a fender under one of them to board my dinghy. Much better than the swim ladder.

James;

Everytime you post I have to read that you are cruising around in the Bahamas and I get more and more jealous.

Could you stop, please

Rick

...A swim platform could be made to float beside the boat ...

Excellent idea!!! I was looking at cables and bulky mounts...

An inflatable float may be just the ticket......

Keep them coming......

WnW,

Good for you, staying out if the Pub. I spend way to much time reading important stuff to start there.

You keep looking for ways of dealing with those kayaks of yours; how about fabricating a pontoon framing for them to create a new model mac? A tri-mac 78 (26x3)

Regards,
Shane

I’ve been working on a swim platform idea since summer. We spent a few weeks at Raystown Lake this and I saw an offshore boat in the marina with a metal swim platform mounted on the back. I kept admiring it and thinking that something similar could solve a lot of deficiencies I have with my X. I made a rough prototype out of PVC and am now weighing out stainless, aluminum, starboard or a combination.
My prototype is 26x26 per side and was (temporarily) mounted even with the cockpit sole. The same material will cover the linkage and the swim platform so the whole area will be level.

I am still developing a functionality wish list and will design the details as needed to accomplish as much as possible.

Wish list:
Swim platform with ladder mounted on aft port side.
Auxiliary motor mount on aft starboard side.
Rudders mounted on aft outboard corners of swim platform with capability of angle adjustment.
Main rudder control- tiller or dual tiller with option of connecting to outboard and/or wheel steering.
Provide a shower area with installation of a temporary shower curtain.

The platforms are big enough for a generator and extra fuel cans. I can sit on the main outboard and comfortably operate the auxiliary outboard.
I was going to work out more of the details before posting, but since you asked, here it is. More heads to work out details should be beneficial.