Hi all I'm new to the chat club and need some info.
I am looking for a Cruising Spinnaker for a Mac 19', the one that is advertized in the sales brochure. I need something that will help in light air.
As well, any help in sailing in light air would be appreciated.
Thanks in Advance
Bill
Spinnaker for Mac 19'
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Frank C
The most comprehensive listing I've seen about Macgregor sail (dimensions) is on Herman Wadler's website, and he doesn't list any cruising spinnaker for your boat. In fact, the only Spin he lists (at all) is for the Mac 26. However, you can probably make any used sail work if the dims are approximate to the boat.
Two suggestions:
1. Check Herman Wadler's page for the dimensions of the Mac 19 sails. The 19's luff lengths seem similar to the larger Macs - so something else might work okay. (But, it's notable tha the foot of a 19's jib is WAY shorter than the larger Macs, at only about 6 feet).
2. Check periodically on Minney's Surplus webpage for used sails. Today they are showing several new sails for a Mac 19 at very reasonable prices. However, they have only one Macgregor Spin (for a Mac 25) ... it's your choice how that might serve, but since it's brand new (?) they're asking $595 - pricey for an item in such rare demand, methinks.
Good luck.
Two suggestions:
1. Check Herman Wadler's page for the dimensions of the Mac 19 sails. The 19's luff lengths seem similar to the larger Macs - so something else might work okay. (But, it's notable tha the foot of a 19's jib is WAY shorter than the larger Macs, at only about 6 feet).
2. Check periodically on Minney's Surplus webpage for used sails. Today they are showing several new sails for a Mac 19 at very reasonable prices. However, they have only one Macgregor Spin (for a Mac 25) ... it's your choice how that might serve, but since it's brand new (?) they're asking $595 - pricey for an item in such rare demand, methinks.
Good luck.
I'm not sure where you can buy the actual MacGregor sail anymore -- would love to get one myself. I've read on the Yahoo M19 Group that some folks have used sails from other brands -- including spinnakers.
Here's the specs from the original MacGregor sail, if you want to try to find an equivalent.
Stay 24.03
Foot 14.4
MidGirth 14.4
Perc LP 180
Area 294.13
Here's the specs from the original MacGregor sail, if you want to try to find an equivalent.
Stay 24.03
Foot 14.4
MidGirth 14.4
Perc LP 180
Area 294.13
If you are trying to sail your M19 in light air with your ballast tank full, you might try sailing under those conditions with your ballast tank empty. Some extra weight low and up front might help under those conditions. But be aware your boat won't have the same self-righting characteristics with an empty ballast tank that it does with a full one.
A more extreme option would be to change your M19 mast and sails for a classic 26 setup. I haven't tried this myself, but supposedly nothing has to be changed to make the switch except giving up your back stay as the new boom will be too long to keep it. It is my understanding that this has been tried successfully, but I don't know anyone that presently has the arrangement on their 19. So if you went this route you're probably on your own.
A more extreme option would be to change your M19 mast and sails for a classic 26 setup. I haven't tried this myself, but supposedly nothing has to be changed to make the switch except giving up your back stay as the new boom will be too long to keep it. It is my understanding that this has been tried successfully, but I don't know anyone that presently has the arrangement on their 19. So if you went this route you're probably on your own.
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Chip Hindes
- Admiral
- Posts: 2166
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 6:13 am
- Location: West Sand Lake, NY '01X, "Nextboat" 50HP Tohatsu
I'd be extremely interested in the defnition of "successfully" in this case. If the answer is "One guy I heard about did it, and hasn't broken his boat or killed himself yet", it doesn't qualify....nothing has to be changed to make the switch except giving up your back stay as the new boom will be too long to keep it. It is my understanding that this has been tried successfully...
Unless the M19 is already way underpowered, a taller rig, way more sail area, shorter boat, narrower beam, eliminating the backstay, no additional ballast: Seems to me a recipe for excessive heeling if not knockdowns, not self righting, and you're almost begging for something to fail.
Chip, I was told about this modification to the M19 by Todd at BWY. When he was selling both the 19 and classic 26 Macs he said he did this to at least one M19 and said that it worked pretty well. Since he is a dealer and has experimented some with a number of different models including his new, highly modified M26 I'm inclined to think he knows what he is talking about. If you look at the dimensions for a classic vs. the M19 you can see that many of them are the same or close to it. One difference being the length of the foot of the main with the longer boom.