Has anyone experimented with reducing the mast rake on the X? I'd like to reduce the boat's tendency to round up prematurely and go into irons so easily. I've got the standard jib on the CDI furler and the original main which I have to sail reefed most of the time even in less than 10 kts wind. Any ...

I figure not everything has to be electric. I built an automatic vent from a PVC check (flapper) valve. Put a piece of foam inside to close the valve as the water comes up. It sits on a matching flange sealed and screwed on in place of the plug. I'm sure I posted it in the mods, but if you can't fin...

I need help with this problem. My 1998 Yamaha F-50 (with carburators) keeps flooding itself, and I mean FLOOD, the crankcase fills with gas. I've already installed new floats and needle valves, the tanks are ventilated (no pressure build-up), new fuel lines,? Obviously if I remember to dis-connect t...

Thanks, guys, for your informative replies. The link to Nigel Klegg's article on Osmotic action was like finding the Bible on this problem. http://www.passionforpaint.co.uk/pdf/osmosis3v6.pdf should get you there. He even says boats with color infused in the hulls are even more prone to blistering. ...

What to do about blisters? They are in line with the ballast tanks above. I waxed over them while I was doing the topsides, but is this enough? What are the remedies, if any?
Thanks, Dave Mason, '01 26X

My Yamaha F-50 flooded itself a few weeks ago. I don't mean hard to start flooded, I mean DROWNED. I think one of the carb's floats got stuck in the open position and the fuel in the tank just drained through the cylinder until the crank case was full! Has anyone heard of this happening? I pulled ou...

I installed 2 in my 01 X, both on the starboard side near the centre line, both from Vetus. We get NO plastic taste from them at all. And I also have one left over from this project, a VEE shape for mounting in the bow of either the X or M. It is also a Vetus, and I would let it go for $90 as well. ...

Andrew: Sounds like you haven't had your Mac apart much,yet. So, now the real fun begins. I had my swinger out last spring, with the boat at home on the trailer. I think if the boat is forward on the trailer as far as it is supposed to go, the keel is designed to drop out. Look under the front dinet...

I too have installed the larger qrf under the furler drum. Makes mast raising almost a pleasure. However raising the forestay and jib that much has lead to some interesting changes in the geometry of the foretriangle. I hope to eliminate those with a new foresail, possibly a genny, probably custom m...

Thanks, John, et al for your responses. I decided to forego the jumper strutt mod in favour of raising the upper shroud two feet to help support the top section of the mast. My forestay attachment point is already 12 inches higher due to the lever device at the bottom below the furler drum. All I di...

Thank you guys for your responses. Scott, the reason I think I need this is my assymetric spinaker is too big for the length of the mast so I fly it off the masthead and when I do the top section of the mast flexes to leeward. Scary! It wouldn't take much of a puff to snap that skinny stick off with...

I'd like to install a jumper strut rig on the top section of the mast on my '01 X. Does anyone know where I can get the Strut? I've seen lots in use in the Bay area on smaller keelboats.
Thanks,
Dave Mason

It is about time I got started on a mod for our '01 X to stiffen the top of the mast above the shroud and forestay attachment point. I'd like to find a source for a jumper strut that would fit my boat. The stays I'll do myself. Does anyone on this site know where I can find such a piece? Maybe someo...

Have '98 Yamaha T-50 on my 2001 X. Doesn't like being tilted all the way up when hot, tends to flood. Better to avoid carbutator model if this will be encountered. Otherwise fine.
Dave Mason

Yep, that's my bowsprit allrite. I had to hack it off and lap it back on with quarter inch bolts to satisfy our marina's length requirements. It wasn't actually a big problem, but the boat was just too damn fast for some of the other keelboaters up there. So now it sits upright against the pulpit ra...