Forestay / Roller Furler

[DaveR-NZ]

I'm back with more questions. The MacGregor 26M I am looking at has a blown out Genoa, which isn't a big issue for me as it means I can get it for a better price as I would have eventually ditched the RF anyway and moved to a hank-on Jib for better sailing performance.

I'm pricing up a new Jib and my question is, the factory roller furling unit, can the forestay be removed from this or do I need to factor in purchasing a new forestay as well?

Thanks.

[Strange]

That depends on which RF it is.

The CDI that came with mine simply slips on and off of the stay.

[NiceAft]

I’m not certain what is meant by this:

can the forestay be removed from this or do I need to factor in purchasing a new forestay as well?

When you say “or”, why would you remove the forestay other than lowering the mast? Please explain.

[DaveR-NZ]

I’m not certain what is meant by this:

can the forestay be removed from this or do I need to factor in purchasing a new forestay as well?

When you say “or”, why would you remove the forestay other than lowering the mast? Please explain.

You would remove the forestay from the roller furler if you did not want to use the roller furler but did not want to purchase a new forestay.

[Starscream]

I’m not certain what is meant by this:

can the forestay be removed from this or do I need to factor in purchasing a new forestay as well?

When you say “or”, why would you remove the forestay other than lowering the mast? Please explain.

You would remove the forestay from the roller furler if you did not want to use the roller furler but did not want to purchase a new forestay.

If the furler is the CDI furler, which almost all Macs came with, then yes you can remove the forestay from the furler and use it by itself. HOWEVER, there's a turnbuckle hidden inside the CDI furler, and one of the threaded tangs of that furler is physically part of the forestay. You would need at least a turnbuckle of the same dimensions to re-use the forestay. I can't remember how the forestay attaches to the threaded rod, but it's more-or-less permanent IIRC.

Also, depending on how old the rigging is on the X, I'd recommend a close inspection at either end. A replacement forestay is less than $100 at BWYachts, totally worth it IMO considering how, you know, it keeps the mast out of the cockpit.

[Strange]

The CDI fuller “captures” the lower section of the turnbuckle. Remove the screws at the bottom releasing the saddle. Now you can unscrew the lower piece and remove the drum entirely.

I know as I JUST removed mine and bought a hanked jib (because I basically ruined the luff).

[Strange]

There is also a pin secured with ring that must be removed as well. Lots of videos on it.

[DaveR-NZ]

Thanks all, I'll have a good look at the furler when I do the next viewing. Worst case, I just replace all the standing rigging to be safe.

[leefrankpierce]

There is a heavier forestay offered by BWY.
During a check of my rigging, when I had the boat at home, I found my forestay had a LOT of broken strands at the top just inside the furler where you could not see it unless you took the furler off.
I suspect it was stress from a life of trailering with the foresail on the furler.
Current forestay is the heavier one and 99% of its time has been in a marina.

[Russ]

Yes, the furling system is most likely just wrapped around the forestay.
Just replace the forestay with an upgraded one. It's probably time to replace it anyway. Less than $100 and peace of mind. It is one of the most common rigging failure points.

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/3117-1m1.htm

Understand that MAC 26M sails like a pig. This is a compromise boat. Doesn't sail or power well, but is fun doing both. Owners understand the limits and despite the limits most owners actually use their boats more than any other boat. While many "pure" sailboats spend most of their time at the dock, most Mac owners actually USE their boats.

With that said, a hank on jib vs furler won't make much of a difference in performance. Replacing the Main sail if blown out will make a bigger performance difference than a hank on jib. So, examine the main as well. My mainsail "looks" fine, but is so stretched out I need to replace it. Blue Water Yachts (link above) sells good replacement sails and this can be a negotiation point.

I have a 150 furling genny and a 110. The 150 has "reef" ribs that allow it to be "reefed". The ribs help with shape, but honestly, when reefed it isn't ideal shape. But who cares? It's the best for me as I can unfurl it when winds are light and furl it in when heavy. When winds are heavy, the fact that I'm "reefing" a furling sail doesn't matter with performance.

I will say, standing on the foredeck of a 26' boat in rough seas is not fun or safe. I've gone the route of installing lazy jacks and all lines run to the cockpit so I can stay off the deck.

If you are a performance sailor, the X/M is not the boat for you. The Mac 26S/D would be a better choice.
The 26X/M boats offer the ability to get back home quickly and the MOST room in the cabin of any 26' boat power or sail.

Otherwise, these boats are bulletproof. Few major items to go wrong/replace. The sails and motor are the biggest concerns. Motor service records and compression testing would be my biggest concern. Then the condition of the sails.

Blue Water Yachts can provide custom parts/rigging at a reasonable price if needed.

[Tsatzsue]

Russ is right on. The tenderness of the M is considerable. Especially on the foredeck. Trying top drop a headsail in any weather would be unsettling. I swapped sails all the time on my V25. I only had a furler at the end. It was solid as a rock with the cast iron keel down. Albeit I would always seem to be bleeding from some where when I returned to the cockpit. Furler or no furler will make no difference. Just safer with.
That 1978 V25 was a classic muscle car. No frills but lots of predictable performance.
KB

[OverEasy]

I was wondering, given we mainly motor and have a roller furler, if it is possible to use a Hank-on jib via standing in the forward hatch of a Mac26X or Mac26M in stead of climbing on deck?

[Russ]

I was wondering, given we mainly motor and have a roller furler, if it is possible to use a Hank-on jib via standing in the forward hatch of a Mac26X or Mac26M in stead of climbing on deck?

Kind of.

I've done this once when my furler was "stuck" and it wouldn't furl in. Winds were howling and seas bouncing so I didn't want to walk up on deck. Which is why it wouldn't furl in. The wind was too strong.

I crawled out of the forward hatch to get to it. I still needed to sit on the deck, but at least I didn't have to walk over the cabin.

I don't think you can hank-on the jib from the hatch, but you can reduce some risk on deck.

What I really hated was that jib sock sail cover. It required hoisting it up the forestay and zipping as it goes. It was impossible/dangerous to hoist until the boat was in calm water.
When the wind would blow hard, the sock would flap violently. I had a UV sail cover sewn into my jib and got rid of that dang sock.

[OverEasy]

Hi Russ!

Thanks for replying….
Liked you comment:

When the wind would blow hard, the sock would flap violently. I had a UV sail cover sewn into my jib and got rid of that dang sock.

One of the considerations we’re looking at for extended ICW & related cruising is to put up our mast with just the roller furler (sans mainsail/boom to minimize clutter and hassle when raising/lowering the mast). Along the same lines we were considering just using a hank-on approach for both jib & Genoa to give more options. It’s just considerations at the moment…

Thanks!

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Russ]

Honestly, there are many times when I'm too lazy to raise the main and run with the genny only. Night sailing, that's all I use as I refuse to go up on deck to deal with the main in the dark.

My genoa has "ribs" that allow me to reef it. Not ideal sail shape, but it's a Mac and I'm not a performance sailor.

The furler becomes part of the forestay so raising/lowering the mast it's always there.
You could certainly run sans mainsail and boom and enjoy the quiet of moving without motor.

Growing up on boats, our first boat had a hank on jib. It was usually my job to deal with it. Requires going up on deck to raise and lower it. My dad's next boat he installed a roller furling and it was night and day. Sooo much easier.

I will never use a hank on foresail again. Too dangerous to go up there and lower it in bouncing seas. ALL my lines now run to the cockpit and with the lazy jacks, I don't need to go up on deck anymore. I installed a looped main halyard so I can pull the main down from the cockpit. Should have done that from the beginning.