Turbo Mac

AWKIII · Post by **AWKIII** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 2:47 pm

Thought this would be an interesting thread to create. Let's take a stock M or X and Turbo it. What would you add, delete or modify. Let's keep things real and list items that most are capable of performing. I have a list a mile long and am curious to see what else may be out there. I'll start with three to get things going:

1. Bald Baby's Weighted Centerboard

2. Ida Sailor's High Performance Rudder System

3. Main, Jib and Genoa in a laminate such as Dimension Polyian's Pentex.

Craig LaForce · Post by **Craig LaForce** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 5:09 pm

Mad Mike's amas

Billy's engine. 140 horses.

M rig on an X.

Water cannon, just cause it would be cool.

Maybe we should call pimp my ride and see if they will do an X?
52 inch plasma TV with .... fold out wet bar.. hot tub cockpit conversion... water faucet!

Post by **NiceAft** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 6:44 pm

Craig,

I'm sure you pressed the wrong key when you said "Maybe we should call pimp my ride and see if they will do an X? " I'm sure you meant to press the "M" key

Ray

Craig LaForce · Post by **Craig LaForce** » Sun Nov 05, 2006 6:53 pm

Nah, your M boats are already pretty plush. Plus I think the 52 inch plasma screen would go much better in my X, right across the front berth.

Night Sailor · Post by **Night Sailor** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:39 am

Well, you need to specifly motoring or sailing.
For motoring, the new Mercury setup with inboard v6 turbocharged engines hooked to the new forward facing double propeller outdrive.
For sailing making the entire boat of 1mm titanium and powering with a 1000 sq. ft. of sail with hydro foils to provide lift.

AWKIII · Post by **AWKIII** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 8:52 am

Turbo is a term used in sailboat racing circles. Was hoping that this thread would have been taken a little more seriously as I think there are many out there that would like to have a list of items that can improve the sailing performance of their boat. So far, the only thing I have seen agree with is the water cannon. This is a prerequisite for Wednesday night beer can races.

Richard O'Brien · Post by **Richard O'Brien** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:07 am

I'm thinking lighten the stern. That wide stern settled down in the groove with water folding behind it creates a lot of drag. It is one reason why the Mac does so well on a beam reach, but not DDW I think. That and the heavy ballast (1450 lbs.) I hope some new technology comes along someday with higher horsepower and less weight. I would like to hear from someone who has a 9.9 hp? I've often wondered how they sail?... Yea! and we all want water cannons, of course. 'get those pwc's, and noisy kids

.

AWKIII · Post by **AWKIII** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 9:17 am

Hi Richard:

Haven't talked to you in awhile. Hope you had a good Colorado sailing season! I am going to Turbo a Mac for next season on Chatfield. There are a series of races on Lake Mead in January, March and April. Was hoping to do some testing there.

I have to get in touch with Bald Baby and see if he would be willing to build me a weighted board like his. Would actually like to see more weight in if if possible. I think he is up in Conifer? I wonder if that hot dog stand is still there?

I am going with a 9.9 electric start for the boat. It should make a difference.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 10:36 am

AWKIII wrote:Thought this would be an interesting thread to create. Let's take a stock M or X and Turbo it. What would you add, delete or modify. Let's keep things real and list items that most are capable of performing. I have a list a mile long and am curious to see what else may be out there. I'll start with three to get things going:

1. Bald Baby's Weighted Centerboard

2. Ida Sailor's High Performance Rudder System

3. Main, Jib and Genoa in a laminate such as Dimension Polyian's Pentex.

Let's keep things real and list items that most are capable of performing.
I had hoped it Would follow that coarse as well

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:00 pm

How about a triple chambered ballast. It would consist of one valve to fill the center chamber and a second valve to fill the outer chambers (lontitudal). One could choose 1\3 ballast for light winds, (center ballast tank) 2\3 ballast for medium winds (outer two tanks) and 3\3 for heavy winds all three tanks.

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:10 pm

Terry wrote:How about a triple chambered ballast. It would consist of one valve to fill the center chamber and a second valve to fill the outer chambers (lontitudal). One could choose 1\3 ballast for light winds, (center ballast tank) 2\3 ballast for medium winds (outer two tanks) and 3\3 for heavy winds all three tanks.

To some extent the M has just that with our perm. ballast system already.
Back to the thread . Is this an idea your working on ? Has someone done this mod already ? Are your in the middle of of the design or actually working on the install?. What would it take to divide the ballast ? Cutting the whole floor out and the top of the tank off?? adding ingress valves ?
I believe the idea for this thread was to determain who has done what and did it work and was it for the better. Also no doubt some mods still in the idea stage.

Richard O'Brien · Post by **Richard O'Brien** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:40 pm

Hi Art! It would be great to have another Mac racing at Chatfield. Currently there is only one D model, and he always beats me.

Colorado Sail and Yacht club, are a great bunch of guys with a wide variety of boats. If I had one foresail it would be a furling 135 genoa. I think you might still be able to point with it furled to 100, and still have the light wind advantage similar to a 150? I just replaced my lost battens with tapered ones, and found it truly changes the sailshape. Straighter on the leech, and more "belly" in the center. I wonder about variable ballast too? Maybe air bladder valves filled with a small 12 volt compressor? Inherently, all new ideas are crazy? Right?

AWKIII · Post by **AWKIII** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:41 pm

Divecoz, yes, I was thinking about hardware, electronics and mods that most of us are capable of performing.

One thing I saw that is on the top of my list is the new wind direction and speed instrument package from Tacktick. The entire system is wireless. There is a an optional sensor that can be purchased for boats with rotating masts that provides automatic compensation.

Good running rigging would also be an inexpensive addition. Inexpensive lines and halyards stretch too much.

Anyone had any experience replacing the stays adjusters with turnbuckles? This is another upgrade that has to make a difference.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:48 pm

What would it take to divide the ballast ? Cutting the whole floor out and the top of the tank off?? adding ingress valves ?

Actually, it is more of design proposal for Roger Macgregor to incorporate into some future design. Perhaps, a bit far fetched, but just thinking outside the box.

AWKIII · Post by **AWKIII** » Mon Nov 06, 2006 12:51 pm

Hi Richard:

I have been pretty busy and didn't get to put a boat in the water this past season. Next year will be different!

MacGregor approved me as a dealer for Southern Colorado and New Mexico. I have boats coming out of my ears! Also, the Kiwi project is almost finished. First boat is due in San Diego in late January.

I started this thread because I was going to take one of the Macs and see what things could be done to improve the sailing performance of the boat. Couldn't think of a better place than here to see what folks have done and how they have worked.

Art

MacGregorSailors.com

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