M steerability problems

[aryl]

There was a previous thread about steering dramas: it was all about size of steering wheel. I find it strange: steering wheel is already now so big there is not much space left. Having engine like 60 hp Yamaha it feels quite OK to have engine following the steering.
The real problem is that boat is so high that even with small wind it goes wherever she wants. It is not in control at all. I try to make it better by having keel down and at least one of the rudders down.

I have had severals of "normal" boats and they have been easy with outboard motors. I think this MacGregor behaviour is because it is shaped just like a soap box, there is no real keel.

Has anyone of you put electric engine to the front? Sorry I don't know the real term but basically it goes through the hull and is controlled by joy stick. I have seen even smaller boats equipped with this kind of control. I was asking the dealer the cost and he said that it is about 2000 euros.

Let me know how you have been dealing with control problems.

thanks,

-arto

[Divecoz]

In the harbor ALL board's all the way down. under ? 5MPH ?
Going slow DB down rudders up.
THe faster you go the more you bring up the DB.
Have you got the big foot lower end on your Yamaha?
That is what makes a big difference too.

[Catigale]

Aryl - I think the front engine you talk about is called a bow thruster

I have never heard of one on a Mac as it is so expensive - I dont think there is enough bilge to mount one either, but perhaps it could be done.

2000 Euro seems cheap for such a major modification.

[aryl]

exactly, bow thruster is the correct therm. That cost was only for the parts. I am not sure if it could be mounted for M26. In europe those boat slots (?) are so narrow and hard to hit that I have been seriously thinking that something must be done. Yesterday I saw one Yamarin boat which was quite same size as m26 and installation looked really neat. That made me thinking maybe this is the solution for my problem.

[Mac Ziggy]

I had thought about trying a remote controlled trolling motor. They are easy to install. A little more work to lower and retrieve but it has other features that might make it more useful. Cris Johnson did a mod for the mount (can't get the link to work - go to mods, look in the catagories for motor, then select trolling motor)

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin ... record=156.

List price is about 1500 U$ for the saltwater 60 inch shaft with 101 lbs thrust. Can be found for about 1350. There are less powerful models.
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/products/ ... _riptidest

[NiceAft]

Aryl,

If I understand you correctly, you are having trouble getting into your slip when the wind is blowing.

Have you tried backing into your slip (boat slot)? It is much easier to control the 26 into a slip when you back down the length of the dock instead of going forward and then try to turn around in order to back into the slip.

The slip I had last year had a very narrow entrance. Sometimes it would take me several attempts to get into it when there was even a slight breeze. Now I back the boat down the entire length of the dock, and into the slip.

Keep your board down, and both of your rudders down. Stand on the opposite side of the pedestal from the wheel, and face the stern of the boat. Go slow, drive the boat standing up as you go backwards and you will see how it is much easier.


Ray

[beene]

That sounds like a very neat trick Ray.

I think I am going to try that out just for shtts and giggles.

If it works out well for me, I'll buy you a beer when you're in my neck of the woods.

G

[NiceAft]

Thanks beene,

But I can't take responsibility for the idea It came from this forum.

I now back down the entire length of the dock and into the slip. It works amazingly well. It is not uncommon for guys on the dock to see me coming and race down the dock to lend a hand (very nice guys). By the time they get to my slip, I am stepping off Nice Aft and onto the dock. It works great.

By the way, I do thank them for their courtesy. I just might need them one day.

Ray

[Frank C]

Ray's hint is a just comment on the physics of Roger's design, very light-weight with lots of freeboard.

We all have difficulty controlling the bow "at slow speeds" when going forward because it's like a billboard in the wind. But in reverse, the bow tends to just follow the outboard. Stand in front of your pedestal, looking aftwards across the top of your wheel to make the exercise even easier.

Analogy: it's difficult to hold a large sheet of cardboard (say 3' x 3') ahead of you on a windy day. It's much easier to walk with it tucked under your arm, and trailing behind you.
(just like putting yer "outboard" first and yer bow behind)!

[aryl]

it is nice to notice I am not the only one having this problem. That trolling motor idea is really good and worth investigating.

I have noticed backing is much easier but still I would like to be able control my boat better when going forward.

thanks for your comments,

-arto

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Yea, unless you keep your boat on a lift. I couldn't back in because then the motor might hit the cradle. There are 4 PVC guide posts but its still kind of tricky to get it in since there are only a few inches of clearance around the guide posts. And more importantly, with the starboard shroud coming inches away from the motor cover. Usually I get it in first shot, but last weekend the boat started getting all cockeyed at the last second (strong crosswind) so I had to pull an emergency retro move and try again. The power of the 50 is quite useful there since you can hit reverse hard and get out of trouble quick. Frankly, its very much like flying an airplane, if you don't have it perfectly lined up on final approach, then forget about it, go around and try again. Very important to keep some CB down until the very last possible moment. And also to keep your forward speed going until the last possible moment. No doubt that the Mac is the most challenging to dock out of several boats I've owned over 3 decades.

[c130king]

I backed into my slip today for the first time (on Frank's advice). Backed in realy nice. I just have to be careful to tie up the boat in such way that the prop won't hit the pier in any wind condition.

But it definitely makes loading/unloading gear and climbing in/out of the boat much easier as there is about a 8' finger pier on one side that allows us to access the cockpit easily. Beats stepping on to the front of the boat.

Also makes rinsing out the motor much easier as I can get the water adapter on from the pier.

Jim

[Frank C]

I backed into my slip today for the first time (on Frank's advice).

Jim,
I've seen the "backing up" hint on the forum for years now. But I'd credit that hint to my Mac dealer, Gene Arena, who sold Macs for more than 25 years in Alameda. He stood on the dock and gave me that advice as he pushed me off (Aug '99) in my new 26X.

Gene has retired now (age 80+), but he was a Mac wizard, especially in regards to equipping with the correct outboard. I believe Gene was the first Mac dealer to install the Mercury Bigfoot, for its 14-inch prop, and the one who rand speed tests that determined the magic 24 mph marketing puff. His son Dan Arena now has the dealership across our bay, in San Rafael, Calif.

[c130king]

Yes...but...

You are the man currently giving out the great advice. So thanks. I learn tons from you and many, many others on this board. So on behalf of all the Macgregor Sailors you have given great advice to...

Thanks!

Jim

[beene]

I quite agree with you Jim.

Others may have come up with these great ideas, but it is the many fine folks on this board that keep giving it out whenever the need arises, each time adding their own personal experiences to the pot.

Thanks guys, without you and this fine board, would not have bought the Mac, would not have known where a good deal was, would never have known how to mount a motor, etc etc.... too many things to mention.

Geoff