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Frank C

I know there is about 6 between genoa tracks on the M. I believe Moe has acknowledged there is some difference in the width, but I believe the X seems bigger because of the raised seating entrance before the cabin (shortens the depth of the cockpit). I think that if the Mac 19 owners have no condemnation, and its provided a first-rate service record, it should present equal duty on the 26. After all the leverage of the stick is only a radius of a wheel, and the cable certainly looks comparable. If the gear drive has proven prone to failure, I doubt a larger version for the 70 hp or 90 jets would have developed. I noticed in a post the coast guard has not found problems with them, and under test back 40 years ago they were able to use them with 40 hp outboard engines. Those were big engines back then. I think if they provide excellent control over the rudders (should be less load than the engine) they may even open up the cockpit of my Mac. I hope more Mac 19 owners come forward praising the Eze-Stick.


Edurbin

What a change!
Seems everyone could pass without doing the Pedestal/Helm Dance.

I can't believe how different it feels with that extra room. Just put the boat in the water today for couple of nights. Will be checking how the modified seat functions on the water.

I reckon there is lots of room to put a good size steering wheel on as well. The new seat has been fabricated from 3/4 inch ply, a double layer along the front edge and rounded off to match (as best as possible) the other edges. Still debating how to finish it - may go with a single layer of fiberglass matt to roughen up the surface. Then perhaps white epoxy - we'll see. If it works out nicely, I may take a mould off it and get one made up proffessionally.

Now, if I could get a custom made fuel tank for the port side, doing the same with the seat on that side is a possibility. We'll see how things work out.

Craig

The stick is a cool idea...but any of you who might be pilots as well as skippers could get into trouble if you tried to mount it forward and backward. The body tends to get into repetetive motion habits. I remember one time after piloting an airplane for a few hours, I got into my car and started driving and for a split second, I almost used the gas and brake as rudder pedals.

Now there's an idea for a Mac....Rudder Pedals like an airplane...anyone done it yet?

On the water, the new shape for the starboard cockpit seat was really good. The cut out makes for a much better seating position - lets the captain sit on the windward side with feet more or less pointing forward. The wheel can still be reached comfortably, but I think a larger wheel would be better again. It seems that taking away seat area immediately adjacent to the pedestal actually gives more functional seating positions. The aft corner is now a very useable seating position under sail in fresh wind conditions.

The ledge between cockpit floor and hatch area is still required to get a foothold when heeled over. The hatch floor area is a bit slippery and will require some type of deck paint to make it safe.

Going forward to attend to lines is much better - no need to shuffle sideways to get around the pedestal. Also found no need to be walking on the seat.

I'm very happy with it. Would recommend to M owners who find the steering pedestal to be "in the way".

Craig

A couple of thoughts here: How about installing a lever, sort of like a stick, but mounted to the steering wheel, leading to the forward portion of the cockpit. This stick would basically manipulate the steering wheel, sort of like a tiller, but the wheel actually does the work.

Another thought is dual steering wheels. Installing the second one on the other side of the pedestal, so one can sit forward of the pedestal to work the sheets and still have easy reach to the wheel.

I don't know if a wheel break is standard on all Ms. I have one, but I think it's an Arena Yachts mod. Very handy. I just set the break, go up to adjust sheets and get back to the helm. Of course, I usually have the main sheet in hand at all times, but the break holds course quite well.... not as well in rough water but decent. In light air, I actually set the break and went up on deck to hoist a spinnaker, while single-handing. I know I was pushing my luck a bit, but in calm seas, the break will usually buy you a minute or two before you need to attend to the helm.

I kind of like the idea of dual wheels, but have no idea how to implement it or how feasible it is. The downside is it will make moving about the cockpit even more challenging.

They Theirs: Where did you get that seat cushion for the helm seat. I love it. Gota get one. I have cushions for the other seats, but end up using a pillow for the helm seat. Would love to get one of those matching ones with backrest & all.

Frank: The cockpit of the M is smaller than on the X. Narrower for sure.

Just a word of thanks to those who kicked the ball with me on this one. There were some good ideas in that lot. I ended up doing something quite different to rotating the pedestal - and for my purposes, it was better. I was out on the water again last weekend with the cut out cockpit seat. The extra leg and feet room is just great. I also find myself standing alongside the steering wheel on the starboard side. Better for the forward vision, and also closer to the ropes when doing a bit of single handing. One more thing, I can now sit down and take my shoes off when I get aboard. The dirt and mud now stays out the back instead of finding its way downstairs into the cabin. And one more, the cut out seat lets me stand when cooking on the gas barbecue. which is located on the aft starboard rail.

Happy sailing.
Craig

Just a word of thanks to those who kicked the ball with me on this one. There were some good ideas in that lot. I ended up doing something quite different to rotating the pedestal - and for my purposes, it was better. I was out on the water again last weekend with the cut out cockpit seat. The extra leg and feet room is just great. I also find myself standing alongside the steering wheel on the starboard side. Better for the forward vision, and also closer to the ropes when doing a bit of single handing. One more thing, I can now sit down and take my shoes off when I get aboard. The dirt and mud now stays out the back instead of finding its way downstairs into the cabin. And one more, the cut out seat lets me stand when cooking on the gas barbecue. which is located on the aft starboard rail.

Happy sailing.
Craig