Rhino linning the bottom

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
Gravydon
Just Enlisted
Posts: 23
Joined: Wed Mar 05, 2008 12:16 pm

Re: Rhino linning the bottom

Post by Gravydon »

Hello not to change the subject but i havent bought my boat yet after the first of the year im buiing and that is y i am doing my reserch now, what is better honda yamaha or etec, I am thinking of buying it at kellys and they only have etec, I was thinking of a yamaha 70, I live on the columbia river in washington and want to go to seattle and maybe next spring or summer of 2010 i would like to sail the bahamas for 2 or 3 weeks it is a long drive for me and if i could find people to go with, that have ther own boats and that know the waters down there. I think it would be fun to get 10 or 20 mac to sail the bahamas..............
User avatar
Andy26M
Captain
Posts: 553
Joined: Mon Jun 14, 2004 10:08 am
Location: Rochester, NY - 2004 26M

Re: Rhino linning the bottom

Post by Andy26M »

Actually ....

"Glassy Smooth" is not the fastest way to go, but you'll never see the difference on something as slow as a Mac. When I used to race dinghies (Lasers, 420',s, 470's, and especially sailboards), we'd wet-sand the hulls with extremely fine grit sandpaper before the races. To the naked eye, you'd think the surface was just dull - like a car in need of a wax job - but in fact we were making it that way on purpose. Big, super-high-caliber racing yachts also wet-sanded along the water-lines sometimes. I believe the concept is to find the "sweet spot" between a perfectly laminar flow and breaking surface adhesion between hull and water; there is also something in there about effectively increasing wetted surface area.

- Andy
User avatar
Gazmn
Admiral
Posts: 1129
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 10:22 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Bayside, NY '97X, E-tec 115 Pontoon, The "Ollie Gray" & '01 Chevy Tahoe W/ Tow Pkg; AL 2X Trlr.

Re: Rhino linning the bottom

Post by Gazmn »

Well Gravy,
When I bought my E-tec, it was still an unproven technology. Ram Ficht engines were acursed. But they fixed that. It now is now a solid recommendation and option by several Mac sellers and resellers. I'm glad I made the choice. It's a simple engine with a sophisticated computer. Winterizing is a 5 min process you can do on your driveway and not Have to do maintenance for 300hrs. 4 strokes, while efficient seem to cost more for maintenance, more parts. And you often need a professional to handle it.

If you get a used :macx: or :macm: where the warantee is expired, I'd throw on the biggest engine you can afford; including >90hp. This boat is not a great sailor -- Never will be. & sometimes speed is the need :wink: It is a fun camper on the water, that you can motor or sail.

Have Fun 8)
User avatar
Gazmn
Admiral
Posts: 1129
Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 10:22 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Bayside, NY '97X, E-tec 115 Pontoon, The "Ollie Gray" & '01 Chevy Tahoe W/ Tow Pkg; AL 2X Trlr.

Re: Rhino linning the bottom

Post by Gazmn »

P. S.

I'd seriously consider a used one rather than a new one in this economy. A lot of people would love to unload a toy they may not be able to afford anymore and you get MANY extras you won't have to upgrade or buy afterwards. :wink:

If you don't like the engine it comes with you may be able to sell it and repower. That's what I did. I sold my PO's 4 stroke Tohatsu, 35HP on Ebay. But again, consider the times we're in.
Post Reply