Darren, O Darren,wwaves (Darren) wrote:O Frank…..
You know better that I would never dream of telling people not to modify ... So. I also have several items from pulpit to rudders that I wish to improve. I would like to modify my rudder pivot plane closer to the cp of the rudders, giving lighter trim, but the existing mounts and brackets do not have the required strength for an extension.
There's little doubt that you could study transom and rudders until my boat's gelcoat is fully salt-permeated and the hull rests on the bottom. With full appreciation for your expertise and thoughtfulness ...
, I have only these remaining observations. By the time I've read your rudder caveats . . . - * I could have done the empirical test, broken the brackets, had them repaired and strengthened.
* And, completely worn-out my mainsail.
* I already have five-plus years with a 300+ motor on my transom, adding just some aluminum channel.
* Others have mounted the same motor without any transom reinforcement, evidently without problems.
* If the transom can handle 140 hp, it'll support my stainless rudder brackets, even with barn doors attached.
* Murv's already done the rudder mod (my engineer, not guinea pig!) and it works for him in 15 knots, so I'm willing to try it on SF Bay.
* If I break a rudder, I have a spare.
* If two of my rudders break, I have an outboard.
* If my steering gear breaks, I'll bolt a lever to the motor's nose flange.
* If my outboard won't start, I'll lash a hatch cover to the lower-drive and I'll have a 335-pound tiller
* (it's a boat, not a lunar-lander)
(Hopefully not inflammatory, just some California pragmatism).
BTW, above are observations on the real beauty of a Mac 26 ... versatility and reduncancy !!!
