Top annoying MacFeatures

[restless]

Hi all
I thought it could be interesting to compile a list of common grievances regarding our favourite blank canvas boats. Useful to when it comes to prioritising the to-do list. Hopefully this post will evolve into a really useful guide to the best mods n cons that can be applied from simple little glue on patches to major surgery.

Here's my rough list, not in any particular order.

Sailing:
winch cleats
main sail (mast cleat n general hardship in use)
hatch dripping straight inside in rough weather *
awkward to raise rudders *
hi speed steering - steering with rudders up
is the ballast in?
rubbish steering set-up *

Inside:
galley *
getting at storage lockers
short Vee berth

* = sorted/being moded

A few to get the ball rolling.. I'd be most interested in hearing other niggles. I'll post my solutions when sea trialed.
Cheers!

[c130king]

I have to be honest...

I don't have a problem with a single one of the issues you listed...at least not any more.

Love my "Bill's EZ-Cleats" (don't use the winches at all) and love my "lines led aft" (no cleats on the mast). And I have the 2:1 on the rudders...but I think maybe rudders are easier to lift (better angle???) than

My only grievance is the sloppy slow-speed/close-quarter handling in a stiff breeze...even with all boards down it can still be a pain.

Cheers,
Jim

[bubba]

Our top complantes are : Not enough time to sail ! ! !

[Love MACs]

Mine would have to be not enough storage space..but then again it is a MAC And you can do only so much in a space 26' x 8' We love primitive camping but not primitive sailing But then again we didn't pay 80K and can take it anywhere


Allan

[restless]

sounds like you've ironed out the worst headaches.. like the lines!
You in london now c130? Was there yesterday.
We have plenty of sailing time... just not decent much weather
Yup.. storage is a pain.. particularly getting at it! We changed our head for a bucket and have a brilliant wet locker instead.

[Terry]

Very first thing I noticed and addressed was the forward hatch latch. I bought an adjustable arm piece so that I could have the hatch part way open or closed.
The headsail cleats needed risers.
The carpets wore out fast.
The porta pottie had to be upgarded to a larger one immediately.
Electric pump, tap & and water bag had to be added to galley sink second year.
Traveller controls were cheap, had to be upgraded to 3:1 purchase.
Those flimsy storage covers under the seats and cushions are a PITA to this day.
Most of the remaining complaints have been addressed through my own mods and changes but should have been factory/dealer done.

[Québec 1]

My top complaint: The Admiral does not want to spend 4 month winters in the Bahamas till the kids finish university! I know that will be followed by ...but what about the grand children ? My solution..up to now. Fixed marriages for both my kids with Floridians (preferably from the Keys) . Any like minded parents with eligible children and looking for social medicine ,free college and inexpensive university (under 2K a year) for their grand kids and really good beer can contact me by pm.
Q1

[restless]

yeah.. those under seat things are awful (What's PITA btw?) Drives the admiral nuts.

[restless]

Pita.. ok, figured pain in the arse?

[Currie]

Fun thread

First off, I'm happy with the Mac for what it is - but yeah, if I could change some things, a few come to mind. Besides all of the mods that people (including myself) have done here to upgrade the hardware, rigging etc., there are a few things I wish were design changes...

FWIW, I have the '04 M with the forward galley.

1.) The cockpit pedestel is too bulky and takes up too much of the cockpit (I'm working on changing that now). I'm not sure what the factory could do and still keep a 26' wheel-steered boat, but it's a PITA IMO if there are even two other people in the cockpit while I'm sailing.

2.) The interior cushioned seat on the forward port side, across from the head - I've never quite understood this one. I don't sit across from the head, even if I'm waiting to use it. The seat is only 9" off of the raised-floor in that area, and it only leaves about a 10" walkway to get to the head and v-berth area. It's nice for sleeping though - especially if you are 10 feet tall . IOW, I wish the forward 4 feet of it was moved outward of the centerline and heightened by a couple of feet. This would widen the walkway, and create a storage bin or shelf that is much taller, albeit only about 7" deep (binoculars, charts, lifejackets, etc.). I have this mod planned someday, but it involves a lot of fiberglass work.

3.) I wish the steering linkage was done better. It drags across the fiberglass and wears on it. Blech.

4.) The 03/04 dinette table is a pain. I have a mod planned for that too.

5.) The head door could be done better, accomodating more knee space inside. Especially if #2 above is done.


Hmmm, that's what comes to mind. Anywho, it's still a sweet ride

~Bob

[Currie]

Pita.. ok, figured pain in the arse?

Yep

[March]

Great idea! I'm always in for grousing.

My biggest conmplaint would be the cockpit cushions. I know they did not come as standard equipment with the boat, but even as such, the snaps started deteriorating after a few seasons. I replaced them and reinforced the vinyl the best I could, to no avail. Two years ago, I ordered a new set from a local sewer who used the old templates. Only my nobility of spirit and fear of arrest prevented me from telling him what I thought of his job: he moved the zippers from back to front so that they now leak copiously, did not follow the templates correctly, cuz the foam doesn't sit in them well, and now the cushions begin to lose their snaps too.

Other than that, I am a happy camper. Sure, the head is cramped, the storing space is never enough, but that's the best we can do given the size of the boat. I worry about the trailer a little, but don't want to go there just as yet

[restless]

oh yeah.. the trailer.. hadn't included that one on my list. Our slipway is only 3mins down the road for great sailing territory but the binding brakes, losing a wheel... does worry me when contemplating further trips.
Has anyone got a solution for cockpit cushions? Damn sponges... my favourite bit is putting them inside when damp and trying to keep condensation under control. Mind, have a exterior vented oven and gas fired vented heater installed now so we should be warm and dry even in this climate.
For sure, the mac is perfect for us. I'm planning mods all the time and currently doing some major surgery in the galley zone.. Happy admiral = well fed skipper and more frequent adventures! I reckon when that's done I'll be allowed to sort out the running lines and other bits. I thought this thread would be good to help make sure I didn't miss anything out while the boat looks like a bomb site and all my tools are tidily scattered all over it!
You reckon a rear arch with clip on tender davits is a bit overkill?

[Love MACs]

Restless: try taking out the foam on the cushions and covering them with large plastic bags, duct taped together and then stuff them back into their covers. Helps with absorption. We did that with the interior cushions as well

But wish I had an answer to the condensation as well Right now I am trying to get it as clean and water free as possible, but with all the rain and snow here this winter, the interior droplets keep on acommin'

Allan

[Hardcrab]

No big gripes here with the boat as is, except for one thing.
Most pet peeves are easily fixed, except for one thing.

I will no-holds-bared cuss those fading as*, black porthole stripes to my dying breath.
That's the one thing.
What's up with that black gel coat???

But, my language might be improving enough for mixed company with the use of a Collinite fiberglass cleaner and their paste wax, both at WM.
So far, a real Eureka moment with great results fer sure.
I can name at least 8 products that don't work.

Time will tell with this brand.