MacGregorSailors.com

OverEasy wrote: ↑Fri Aug 25, 2023 6:56 pm Hi Starscream

Glad things worked out for you with all those folks aboard and the other weight loadings.
Q:Were you running with or without the ballast tank filled?

Best Regards,
Over Easy

Full: when we are on trips we never empty the ballast even though I have zero worries about the X stability (with no one on the cabin top under power). The big risk that I see with the X is an unintended centerboard drop without ballast and under full throttle. That puts the boat quickly over on its side and without the ballast the water comes very close to the cockpit. If there are people on the cabin top when that happens and the boat is heavily loaded, I can see how that could roll the boat. An alert/experienced captain can feel the keel dropping, though, and if you are aware of what's going on you can throttle back before things get too bad. Still, not fun.

The difference between a smart captain and a wise one is a smart captain knows how to get out of situations which a wise captain wouldn’t get into in the first place. Stay wise.

You can see the loaded waterline by the scum on the stern over by the kicker motor. Motor drain well is about 3" below the waterline with 7 on board.

Have to raise the waterline by 4cm on the starboard side; port side was more like 8cm !!!

Hi StarScream!

Thanks!

We’ve not had many opportunities to carry that many aboard.
We pretty much limit ourselves when out on long term cruising trips given we are somewhat loaded up with stuff & supplies anyway.

We also have a bit of a list to our Port side due to weight distribution. About 3+ degrees
Our dual batteries and A/C unit are both on that side and aft of the galley which is driving the issue.
From an existing layout perspective this works for us but when loading and storing we definitely make the effort to place stuff on the Starboard side to try an balance things out. If we ever get to adding fresh water or holding tanks or additional battery capacity the Starboard side is gonna be the target zone.

We had originally intended to place the A/C unit on the Starboard side but the old design compromises of what you want vs. what you can get vs. what/where you can fit pushed us over to the Port side.

We try and compensate by burning of the fuel from the Port tank first and situating passengers to Starboard when appropriate to level things out.

A dropping swing keel could be a real problem! 🫣
That lift line arrangement does invite chaffing.
I’ve checked it before launching each season but when one is on the water for several months it is something that is on one’s mind.
Especially when in our early days when we were first getting acquainted with Over Easy.
I check the keel lift line after several trips only to find it had chaffed about a 1/3 of the way through the line opposite the knot.
We replaced the line and tried to protect it some with a coating of liquid line end faying stuff.
It looks like it has helped but will probably have to replace the line again when we haul out at the end of season or if/when we have opportunity sooner ( our hurricane plan is to haul out rather than get beaten against the slip should we have to contend with that prospect 🫣).

Speaking of hurricane prospects we’re hopping the current mess headed to Florida fizzles out once it hits shore.
Watching the forecasts closely!

Reminds me ..I need to get our house portable generator interface wired in today… best be getting busy with that while the weather is still somewhat clear. What’s the point of having a generator if you can only use it with extension cords .

Best Regards,
Over Easy