New Macgregor Owner!

[06HARLEYULTRA]

Congrats and welcome

Best tip I can offer: Practice raising and lowering the mast.
We're new also....


Rich

[GeoffT]

Hey everybody, thanks for all your valuable advice. My wife and I had a great first weekend on our boat. It was surly an adventure.

I had gone through the launch and mast raising in my head about 100 times, so I felt that I was ready. Well I surely was not. I was able to launch the boat with very little problems. I went to park my truck/trailer and as I was walking away, I noticed that the license plate had come off on the journey home with the boat, so my trailer was sitting there without registration. I was expecting a few tickets when I returned from my trip – Luckily None! -Rookie Mistake 1

I got down to the boat and
went to get it started. The engine kept turning over but it would not start. I tried for about 30 mins with no luck. I was getting very frustrated, but there was a boat next to me having the same issue. After about 45 mins of trying to get the boat started, I noticed the fuel line wasn’t hooked up to the engine. - Rookie Mistake 2

I got the engine started and moved around to a side dock where I could get the mast raised. I got everything for the mast raising setup correctly and started to raise it. It ripped up my hands quite well trying to raise it, then I had the genius idea to use the winch with the handle. It want up really easy, but… The headstay needed about 3 more inches. I kept cranking, but it wouldn’t budge. I locked down the mast setup and walked away. It was about 90 out and I was suffering from heat exhaustion. We went inside the boathouse for a little bit to cool off and drink some water. 20 mins later we went back out and as I was walking back to the boat I could see the backstay was pressed against the bimini top. I pushed the bimini top up and the headstay easily connected. - Rookie Mistake 3

We made it out to the Gulf and put up the sail. We had some nice breeze and started to cruise North. I could see a big storm coming up from the Southeast, so I continued on to the North. After about 20 mins I could see a storm in the direction I was heading. I was able to find a clear spot of clouds and anchored and waited in between to big fronts. After the South Storms passed, we headed back that way and anchored about ¼ mile off shore for the night. It was really peaceful – except the keel bouncing all night, until I pull it all the way up.

All in all, It was a great first trip. I can’t wait for the random summer storms of Southwest Florida to stop. Now it’s time to start on all the problems I found with the boat - #1 New Steering 

[Kevgrn114]

Sounds like a great adventure! I wish I could say I was having those problems and making rookie mistakes, but alas I am still in the waiting stage for my boat.. Just waiting on the mailman at this point for a check then it's off to pick it up!!!

I have always set up my rigging while in the parking lot before launching, is there a particular gain to doing it on the water or is it just a softer landing if you fall off?

[GeoffT]

I have always set up my rigging while in the parking lot before launching, is there a particular gain to doing it on the water or is it just a softer landing if you fall off?

Softer landing I really don't have a reason, and was probably going to try that in the furture, but I would rather fall into the water and be wet then to fall 10' and have a broken bone.

[Tomfoolery]

The engine kept turning over but it would not start. I tried for about 30 mins with no luck. I was getting very frustrated, but there was a boat next to me having the same issue. After about 45 mins of trying to get the boat started, I noticed the fuel line wasn’t hooked up to the engine. - Rookie Mistake 2

I thought you were going to say that the lanyard wasn't connected. I did that once - engine cranked, but wouldn't fire. This was the first boat I've ever had with a lanyard, like a jet ski.

20 mins later we went back out and as I was walking back to the boat I could see the backstay was pressed against the bimini top. I pushed the bimini top up and the headstay easily connected. - Rookie Mistake 3

I leave my backstay disconnected until everything else is up, including the bimini. It's not needed to keep the mast from falling forward, as the shrouds are swept back, and it's easy to forget about the bimini. It's also easier to manage without being connected.

[Russ]

You didn't say if you have boating experience. If not, I strongly suggest getting some education. Find a Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary course. Get familiar with the laws and seamanship. Some states require it.

Weather: You seem to respect it. Good. We use weather apps on our iPhone to look for bad stuff coming our way. T-storms can toss our light boats easily.

Ballast: Always in if the boat is floating

I love the comment above about sticking with it. There are tons of Macs that went up for sale after owners took them out one or two times and didn't like it. These boats take time to learn. And if you are not used to sailing a water ballasted boat, it is a very tender boat at first.

Enjoy and have fun.

[vizwhiz]

Cool...Naples! I go down there all the time with the Admiral...will be down there next week, matter-of-fact...but only for a short visit.
Where do you launch from?

[Herschel]

One idea that has worked well for us has been the use of checklists. We have ones for launching and getting underway and another for coming in and retrieving the boat, trailer and ramp versions and going into a slip version. I set them up on Excel files so I can easily revise them as lessons are learned or new ideas develop. The admiral usually sits in the shade of an umbrella and reads off the checklist, and I do the work. She likes it and I like it. Most other boaters seem envious of such a smooth functioning team, and I don't have to worry about my wife getting hurt (we are in our 60's). Oh, and we take along a lot of cool water, too!

[dlandersson]

And where, may I ask, are my copies?

One idea that has worked well for us has been the use of checklists. We have ones for launching and getting underway and another for coming in and retrieving the boat, trailer and ramp versions and going into a slip version. I set them up on Excel files so I can easily revise them as lessons are learned or new ideas develop. The admiral usually sits in the shade of an umbrella and reads off the checklist, and I do the work. She likes it and I like it. Most other boaters seem envious of such a smooth functioning team, and I don't have to worry about my wife getting hurt (we are in our 60's). Oh, and we take along a lot of cool water, too!

[DaveC426913]

The engine kept turning over but it would not start. I tried for about 30 mins with no luck. I was getting very frustrated, but there was a boat next to me having the same issue. After about 45 mins of trying to get the boat started, I noticed the fuel line wasn’t hooked up to the engine. - Rookie Mistake 2

I thought you were going to say that the lanyard wasn't connected. I did that once - engine cranked, but wouldn't fire. This was the first boat I've ever had with a lanyard, like a jet ski.

Guilty. Half hour of cranking, ending in a frustrated phone call to a sailor friend, who gave me the inspiration.

[GeoffT]

Cool...Naples! I go down there all the time with the Admiral...will be down there next week, matter-of-fact...but only for a short visit.
Where do you launch from?

We will tipically launch from Wiggin's Pass.

You didn't say if you have boating experience. If not, I strongly suggest getting some education. Find a Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary course. Get familiar with the laws and seamanship. Some states require it.

I did work in a maria many years ago and have experince driving small fishing boats and pontoon boats. I also taught sailing to kids on sunfish and hobie's. Plus I used to do small trips with my neighbor before he raced the Mackinac in Chicago. I do plan on taking some of the USCGA classes, especialy on coastly navigation!

[Tomfoolery]

I thought you were going to say that the lanyard wasn't connected. I did that once - engine cranked, but wouldn't fire. This was the first boat I've ever had with a lanyard, like a jet ski.

Guilty. Half hour of cranking, ending in a frustrated phone call to a sailor friend, who gave me the inspiration.

At least I'm not alone in my feeling foolish.