Can I Be An Official Power Sailor With This?

[GaryMayo]

http://macgregor.sailboatowners.com/ind ... adid=12651

I called John today, and struck up a deal.

Should pick it up next week sometime.

No hurry, as winter is between me and sailing. Just gets tucked into the barn.

You guys with critical eyes, look over the list of equipment, and look at the photographs, and tell me what I have, and what I will need.

I cannot be an official Power Sailor with an 8 HP engine! That needs to get moved over to a kicker location on one side or the other, when I upgrade engines.

Guess now I can study the engine threads.

Do they call it an because of the cute little stripper pole in the main entertainment room? lol

[GaryMayo]

I like the fact, it is not all full of someones elses holes and mods. It is pretty much as it was when it was new, as I can tell.

That engine was the one John sold it with 11 years ago. I am guessing, it could be toast. Things that sit and not get used break down. I don't think the boat has seen a lot of use. It does have new bottom paint.

What engine threads do I need to read? I am thinking I want a screamer engine. pushing at or beyond the 70 HP range. I like the idea of light weight, oil in gas, but I really do not know what I want. I want to be able to play at speed when I do not feel like sailing. The Suzuki motors seem very quiet. I like that.

I like this engine, in that it is small.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HqKgqweVZVQ

[Mac26Mpaul]

Congratulations Gary. Looks like a sweet boat from this side of the pictures and hasnt even seen salt water! Not that it means much but even with that little outboard, you would pay well over double that price for that boat here! You and SWMBO are going to have some great times relaxing on that boat
Nice one old mate. .

Just gets tucked in the barn ya reckon LOL You will be polishing waxing etc by next week, and drilling holes left right and centre the week after that

[GaryMayo]

Hole drilling?

I have lived the life of mods. I have modded stuff to the point Shriners blush to look at it.

No thanks, if it ain't broke, I will leave it alone. I wanted to tear into my Mac 25 to add steering, but this boat has that already. I will not be adding much.

I do want an engine boost, but I will let other people do that for me, and I may well leave well enough alone for several months of sailing. Get to know the sailboat before I get to know the powerboat.

Did not sleep much last night thinking about the boats I was looking at. I am happy with my choice.

John just shipped a new Mac M to miami. I think his overhead is lower than the big cities. He moves lots of boats. Very nice man.

[Catigale]

I've got money down that fresh gas in that motor and it will start right up after a few pulls.

That's a nice looking boat Gary, congrats. If you do have room, I would consider a 15 foot runabout with a 50 HP for your small lake ....to meet your need for speed. Cheaper and easier to recover costs on resale. Or, consider a Harpoon sailboat......

I personally don't like the CDI furler being looped that way, I like to keep it straight and tie it to a boat hook up front. Not a biggie though.if the extrusion has a ripple in it the boat will sail fine.

[aya16]

I think its a good price, I think the engine should serve you well for many more years, if its fine now. The boat is basic, as it came from mac, doesn't have any add on's like gps, depth, radio's, at least that's how its listed.

The engine controls for that 8hp are at the console, that's worth its weight in gold. electric starter on that 8hp, worth its weight in gold also. Sails look ok still all stiff and new like. trailer looks ok as far as I can see. 11 thousand sounds like a good deal, it has bottom paint so I would really check the boat out really good for signs of corrosion, the boat may not have been used much, but if it sat in a slip its whole life (clue bottom paint) I would go over the moving parts really well. check under floor boards for water and or damage. The 8hp motor would not be good for a dinghy motor, its heavy and a long shaft, but should work well with the mac, it has good resale value with the e start and controls. But it is a 2 smoker. Wouldnt be good for a john boat or small fishing boat, but keel sailers would kill for it as their main engine.

Boat looks really clean, owner took really good care of it, or didn't use it much, or both. It also has sail slugs already on the main sail, big plus, dont see a jib???

I would, like you said, just use the motor that came with it for awhile, get used to the boat. From what it looks like and what it comes with I think you scored.
when you are ready for the big motor let me know Ill give you some advice based on what you are looking for, not what I have.
Mike

[dlandersson]

Put some anti-rodent stuff around - don't want mice, etc., nesting in it - chewing stuff...

http://macgregor.sailboatowners.com/ind ... adid=12651

I called John today, and struck up a deal.

Should pick it up next week sometime.

No hurry, as winter is between me and sailing. Just gets tucked into the barn.

You guys with critical eyes, look over the list of equipment, and look at the photographs, and tell me what I have, and what I will need.

I cannot be an official Power Sailor with an 8 HP engine! That needs to get moved over to a kicker location on one side or the other, when I upgrade engines.

Guess now I can study the engine threads.

Do they call it an because of the cute little stripper pole in the main entertainment room? lol

[captronr]

Nice looking boat!

Mod #1: Go to Lowes/Home Depot and buy 2 ten foot sections of PVC pipe that will fit over the metal guide posts. Cut them in half. One PVC should fit inside the other, then slip over the tube. Get a cap for the top end, and drill a couple of holes in (it could float off if you don't). Those metal tubes will be too low to help load and the boat can rub on them when you go over the top of them (I see they have rubber caps, which is good).

Mod #2: Get some strips of reflective tape to put on the PVC. Some place the tape to show proper depth of loading/unloading.

Mod #3: When I got my X from John, it didn't have tie down straps either. I bought some 2" wide ratchet straps and go from the rear cleats to the trailer, snugged down pretty well.

Mod #4: If you plan to trailer much, I'd get a spare.......... You will find that the OEM tires are hard to find. With the smaller motor, you probably won't be over the max weight of axles and tires, but with a 70HP, you probably will. Never hear of anyone having issues with being over, but I felt better going with a new axle, 15" tires/wheels, and electric brakes. Cost of that mod is about $1K.

ENJOY your new boat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Ron

[mrbillfll]

for that engine, drop the gas, drain the float bowl, add fresh gas.

change the impeller. R/R the lower unit oil. pull the plugs and spray some wd40 or better some marvel mystery oil in the cyls and turn over (by hand if possible), clean the plugs and try to start.

sometimes you can use the impeller by soaking it in water for a day before turning it over.. but personally I'd replace it.

whats the pitch of that prop?
if its propped for low speed, (like a 6-7) it should push the boat well enough to dump the ballast.

good luck!

[Sea Wind]

Congrats on the new boat!

I agree with Catigale, the furler should be straight. I use a piece of 1”X6’X8’ of pressure treated wood and put it between the mast and the furler so that the furler rests on the wood. The wood is attached to the mast and pulpit. You could also use 4” PVC cut in half.

I also agree with captronr’s comment on the trailer, more important than a power sailor is being a trailer sailor. I faced the same dilemma when I bough my boat, spend one boat buck on the rusty trailer or get a new tandem aluminum one for three boat bucks. I got the new trailer and I am very glad I did.

After finishing a bottom paint job, it is something that I would not have paid attention to in the past, now I can officially say that it is a real PITA.

Enjoy your new boat
Sea wind

[mrbillfll]

fwiw, how to check tongue weight.... (eliminate trl sway)

http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners. ... post860900

[Crikey]

Nice one Gary..... That's a keeper.

BTY, I think Suzy makes fine engines. I have a 60 but I think the 90's are awesome!

Ross

[Tomfoolery]

Mod #1: Go to Lowes/Home Depot and buy 2 ten foot sections of PVC pipe that will fit over the metal guide posts. Cut them in half. One PVC should fit inside the other, then slip over the tube. Get a cap for the top end, and drill a couple of holes in (it could float off if you don't). Those metal tubes will be too low to help load and the boat can rub on them when you go over the top of them (I see they have rubber caps, which is good).

captronr beat me to it. I only use single thickness PVC pipe (1-1/2" dia., with caps and vent holesin the sides at the top), but regardless, if you don't extend them, it will be a bear to get on the trailer in ANY wind or current. I leave my centerboard halfway down and pull it up once the front half is over the trailer and going good. It comes up easy with one hand, from the helm position. I also leave one rudder down, and I don't secure it there, so if it scrapes bottom (which is hasn't yet), it will come up. I pull it up once the bow is in the vee-block, but before pulling the trailer out of the water. Which, by the way, I do in a few stages - pull it out a few feet, crank the bow into the vee, a few more feet, another crank, but even then, I usually have to give it the Mac Bump.

As far as the engine goes, I'd get a new 90 hp and leave off the small one. Sell it or use it on another boat. Check the engine series when you're shopping - usually two or three hp ratings in the same frame size and weight. Since you're hanging the weight anyway, I'd get the highest hp in the series, which works out to 90 hp for a couple of different manufacturers.

I pull my kids on a wakeboard with a 50, but if I were to ever replace the engine, I'd go 90 and not look back.

[Catigale]

I think Gary's lake is only 1 mile long.

That's two minutes with a 90

[GaryMayo]

I think Gary's lake is only 1 mile long.

That's two minutes with a 90

Correct, but I also live on the Missouri River, and I want a large engine to get and scoot on that. I could live with the 8 HP on my small lake.

From the mighty MO, I can get to the ocean! That will be my next big vacation!