Congrats and fair winds.

Saoirse - Irish for freedom (pronounced Saor-Sha because Im from Dublin, others pronounce it Seer-Sha) . I wanted to use the Irish word for Peace but it doesnt roll off the tounge (tonge) very well = (Cuinas - pronounced Qune-ess or Siochain which means quiet) And not lecturing but informing - befor...

I also use the string method, but have its ends tied to form a continuous loop, not loose enough to get into the prop. The knot is too large to pass thru the hole, but then I tied another simple knot in the line halfway, which can be drawn thru the drain to clear out leaf and debris clogs. Just pul...

I second all above. I learnt to sail on 25 - 32 ft keelboats and had heard the criticisms of the Mac - never thought I would end up in one. This is my 2nd year and LOVE LOVE the Mac. Sails well - dont be fooled by the compromise comments - it sails well, its fun to tweak the sails to boost performan...

It has been phased in here in Portland over a couple of years depending on your age. Honestly havent seen much improvement - morons with engines bigger than their egos wont change no matter what quiz they take. I sail 14 foot dinghies as well as my mac and with 20 of us out on the water we had a big...

Not an answer to original predicament but I noticed sail shape is really important sailing up wind in heavy air. I was out in about 20 - 25knots with a reef in the main only and was barely making 1 - 2 knots up wind. I thought something was wrong - I didnt have the reefed clew pulled all the way dow...

Sounds like the guy was likely pulling your leg and probably chuckled at the look he left on your face. :D I doubt any lift operator would attempt lifting a boat that was a proven accident waiting to happen. :o Its very possible - but he warned me to get all the ballast out so I spent an extra 10 m...

Ive used a boat lift twice now. I was nervous enough the second time until the guy said "what kinda boat.......Macgregor....oh I dont like them......they fall off" But we survived. My biggest complaint is that the 2 marinas with lifts in Anacortes leave no room near the lift for even a few...

I have the 545s and ditched the XM weather after one season. Evan if it was cheap I found it to be no more helpful than VHF/phone updates. I think the larger screen (over the 440) is worth the $$$ in the grand scheme of buying a Mac. I would prefer something that networks with my iphone - but now Im...

This one http://www.charterworld.com/images/yachts/MMBW%20NICOLE%20-%20Aft%20Transom%20Swim%20Platform.jpg I think this guy nearly ran me over on the Columbia last year. Flying the same flag. He was bearing down on me with spinnaker up at double my speed when I thought I had right of way so I held ...

beene wrote:Good morning

Ideas

Bottom of mast, line for main and headsail halyard...
Side view and showing block attached to stansion for both halyard and keel lines lead aft....
Lines lead aft from there to these on each side......

Thats genious - no screwing into the deck - excellent.

Gerry

I learnt to sail on 25 -30 foot fixed keel boats from some salty dogs that were very critical of the Mac. My wife and I took a look at a boat show and I was VERY reluctant but my wife liked the safety of a big motor when you need it. 2 years later I LOVE LOVE the Mac for all the reasons listed above...

After we discussed what we did right and what we did wrong... life jackets need to be at hand at all times, we realized that our boat had performed really well, it kept us safe, despite the foolishness of putting up a tarp. Thanks for posting your experience - we can all learn. I am going to put up...

The shrouds attach further aft than the mast - providing enough suport to hold the mast from going forward. Dont know what the stainless cable is rated for - several hundred pounds I would guess. The mainsheet (when the sail is up) also provides some aft tension. Many dinghy sailboats use the same p...

keith wrote:We had a teenager killed here a couple of years ago by a bungee cord

How?