Help a new owner in No. VA rig a brand new Tattoo 26

[Hamin' X]

If a PM is still in the outbox, it means that the recipient has not logged on and received the PM. Once they do, it will move to the sent folder.

~Rich

[beene]

Hello all,

I am the new owner of a Tattoo 26 "Tenacious". I am relatively new to sailing and could use a hand learning how to rig the boat and ensure I get the lines going through the proper blocks and etc. Unfortunately, I purchased directly from the factory so I am out of luck contacting a dealer.

Thing is, right there is the problem

I bought my M from Bill at boats4sail
He sold me a great kit that included everything I need for lines led aft, single handing, sail slugs etc
He had decades of experience knowing what worked on a Mac and what didn't
He put me up in a hotel free of charge
He spent all day helping rig my M and answer any questions I had
Since that time, anything I have ever needed, extra sails, rigging, name it, bought boat new in 06, still to this day he helps me out whenever I need it

Thats the difference buying from a dealer

They take care of you

I am worried if Tattoo Yachts continues to sell direct to the buyer, skipping the middle man so to speak, the dealer network will die off

If any of us need anything, we would have no choice but to get everything from Florida, instead of a dealer nearby

.02

G

[Tenacious]

Thing is, right there is the problem

I bought my M from Bill at boats4sail
He sold me a great kit that included everything I need for lines led aft, single handing, sail slugs etc
He had decades of experience knowing what worked on a Mac and what didn't
He put me up in a hotel free of charge
He spent all day helping rig my M and answer any questions I had
Since that time, anything I have ever needed, extra sails, rigging, name it, bought boat new in 06, still to this day he helps me out whenever I need it

Thats the difference buying from a dealer

They take care of you

I am worried if Tattoo Yachts continues to sell direct to the buyer, skipping the middle man so to speak, the dealer network will die off

If any of us need anything, we would have no choice but to get everything from Florida, instead of a dealer nearby

.02

G

Beene, you bring up good points. I actually preferred to buy from a dealer, however, there were no dealers anywhere close to me. If there were, I would have definitely gone that route.

-Robert

[Tenacious]

If a PM is still in the outbox, it means that the recipient has not logged on and received the PM. Once they do, it will move to the sent folder.

~Rich

Thanks Rich for clearing that up for me.

-Robert

[Herschel]

First, congrats on new boat. I have had my 26X for eleven years. Won't try to say anything regarding issues unique to the M/Tattoo models. What I would like to say is that I found going from much smaller boats (in my case Hobie 18 and Hobie Wave), there was a learning curve not only in handling the boat, but, also, in running and maintaining the more complex systems (e.g., 12-volt electrical system and batteries, fuel system for engine, the engine, itself, fresh water tanks and pump, head and holding tank). This board is an excellent source of info for dealing with those systems, and there are a lot of good books out there, too. As far as handling is concerned, I learned the hard way to put the rudders down and center board part way down for docking, if you want to be able to control the turns while docking in any kind of wind. Lastly, I will just say, "Respect the learning curve." I found it was real, and you just have to go through it. It took me about 2-3 years to really get comfortable with my boat. Now, she is a fine friend. Have no plans to ever change. I just keep upgrading my stuff and enjoying every time I can go out.

[rszobel]

I'm in Haymarket and have slip down at Aquia - have an - PM if you want some help - rob.

[beene]

Beene, you bring up good points. I actually preferred to buy from a dealer, however, there were no dealers anywhere close to me. If there were, I would have definitely gone that route.

-Robert

Thats too bad

I drove from Barrie Ont to Oconomowoc, WI to buy from Bill

1100kms

Just to get the right boat for the right price

There was a dealer an hour from my house, but he was charging 15 grand more, and had no rigging pkg.

So I drove out to see Bill, he put me up in a hotel for the night, got up the next day and he helped me rig up the boat and answered all my questions
Then drove her back home across the boarder

I have enjoyed every minute with my boat since

Cant imagine sailing my M without all the nice rigging add-ons Bill sold me

Anyway... your new Tattoo is a very nice looking rig
I am sure you will create many years of happy memories on her

Cheers

G

[Chopper Pilot]

I live in the historic town of Occoquan, VA stationed at Fort Belvoir. I am still waiting for my boat to arrive from Hawaii, so I am without my boat. I was lucky I had pmmcderm who cam to help me rig my boat. But I had to undo it all to ship it so I will kind of be in your position when it finally arrives here. I will help where ever I can, but I am not an expert on every line on the boat, though I remember most. Here is one of several videos from Hawaii!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ablskc5 ... 5WfDprCicg

When is the boating event you guys keep talking about. Where is it also?

[RobertB]

If you are willing to drive to Sandy Point Park (at the Chesapeake Bay Bridge), we could meet this weekend or in a few weeks and I could help - rig the two boats side by side. Labor Day weekend we will be going to Point Lookout at the mouth of the Potomac River (if you are in the area, that would work also).

[NavySailor]

Hmmmm.... I think all of us DC area folks need a Mac Regatta! I've got a friend in Stafford with a 70's V22. We'd have quite the fleet!

[Chopper Pilot]

I like that idea of a Mac regatta! I just need to wait for my boat to arrive any day now.

[Tenacious]

A Mac regatta is a great idea and given the amount of folks in the area, we could have quite the gathering.

-Robert

[Chapontheriver]

Hmmmm.... I think all of us DC area folks need a Mac Regatta! I've got a friend in Stafford with a 70's V22. We'd have quite the fleet!

count me in!

[Chopper Pilot]

Someone needs to make an Mid East Coast facebook page so all of us in such close proximity can monitor local events!

[Tenacious]

First, congrats on new boat. I have had my 26X for eleven years. Won't try to say anything regarding issues unique to the M/Tattoo models. What I would like to say is that I found going from much smaller boats (in my case Hobie 18 and Hobie Wave), there was a learning curve not only in handling the boat, but, also, in running and maintaining the more complex systems (e.g., 12-volt electrical system and batteries, fuel system for engine, the engine, itself, fresh water tanks and pump, head and holding tank). This board is an excellent source of info for dealing with those systems, and there are a lot of good books out there, too. As far as handling is concerned, I learned the hard way to put the rudders down and center board part way down for docking, if you want to be able to control the turns while docking in any kind of wind. Lastly, I will just say, "Respect the learning curve." I found it was real, and you just have to go through it. It took me about 2-3 years to really get comfortable with my boat. Now, she is a fine friend. Have no plans to ever change. I just keep upgrading my stuff and enjoying every time I can go out.

Thanks Herschel. I will definitely heed your advice, "respect the learning curve". The Tattoo is quite a bit different than my previous boat and I'll make sure to take a lot of time to learn the in's and out's of the boat. My previous boat was a 19' boat and I have experience sailing Flying scots (around the same size) and various Hobie Cat's of different sizes. Just the height difference in the Gunwales makes a huge difference in feel!