It’s been a while. Be well and safe. It’s nice to have a boat to get away from it all. Keeps me sane

What about water and food? A small vessel just can’t store enough of either for months. Also, check out the Pacific High. No wind ever. Sailing from CA to Hawaii, you follow its outer perimeter. Same thing going back which is why it takes twice as long to get back to CA than getting to Hawaii from t...

Roman. You might consider installing a purchase system for the outhaul. It is really a vital control of sail shape. 3:1 block & tackle will work well which will give you 6:1 advantage as the clew acts like a block, thus doubling your 3:1.

Leon

Being a fractional rig increasing the back stay tension (bending the mast) wont do much for tension on the forestay Try it. You might be surprised. It is true that on a fractional rig, backstay tension has more affect on the mainsail than on the headsail, but it still adds some tension to the fores...

Someone needs to design a better rudder bracket. My idea is actually not a bracket at all but a hinge. Tubes like the stock brackets would enter the fiberglass tubes in the boat, just as stock. Instead of the bracket there would be a hinge perpendicular to the stern so the rudders can kick up. The b...

Mike, There is no such thing as "the bust cut for these boats." Boat specs don't change. It's all done by computer. Any sailmaker will design your three edges of each sail per your boat specs. The cut is a custom thing, assuming you're not buying a sail off the shelf. The real issue is how...

Sight up your sail when sheeted to center line or close to center line and sailing close hauled. You need the sail to be loaded up to determine if it's too stretched out (blown out.) The outhaul will flatten your sail. Get as much tension on the outhaul as possible. With the stock setup, it is easie...

I wonder if the Mac Dealers still sell stock rudders. I remember getting them from Arena Yachts... now recall actually breaking a stock rudder, but it was a trailering accident (didn't put the safety pin in) and the line popped out of the cam cleat... rudder met pavement.... pavement won the fight. ...

Thanks Gaz. Been a long time.
fair winds
Leon

I have said for some time that the rotating mast is a liability. For anyone who carries any kind of rig loads and sails in winds of 12kts+ Go ahead and sight up the mast when it's rotated and the boat pointing on a close reach or higher. In fact, it may be obvious just on the trailer. The mast will ...

Looking forward to seeing you guys at the rendezvous!!!!

Well folks, looks like you'll have an American neighbor along (maybe 2 if Stephen bites the bullet.) If you do, I'll buy the beer Won't give any input on location as I'll be tagging along with Beene on Pegasus. Had a blast 2 years ago. Looking forward to July.

cheers,
Leon

Stephen, The experience I gained with the Mac along with some charters of larger boats made it all possible, i.e. gaining the confidence to go with a larger boat to single-hand. Drop me a line next time you're in my neck of the woods. I know we tried this a few times int he past and schedules didn't...

15-20 degree heel is actually the sweet spot. Over 20 degrees you should feel the boat pull to weather. I don't quite understand your rig setup with forestay loose as possible and no mast pre-bend. Sounds like your shroud tension may be too low, particularly the upper shrouds. Take a picture of your...

Blee, What you describe is not common at all. These boats are prone to strong weather helm and I never experienced or heard of anyone else experience any lee helm. Make sure your daggerboard is all the way down. It might be getting stuck. Take a tape measure down the daggerboard trunk. It should be ...