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Just got back to Florida. While we were away I had a dodger and air head toilet installed. So far the air head is working as advertised, however the dodger seems like it might interfere with the boom and main sail. Wife and I just finished traversing the Okeechobee waterway so we have yet to have raise the main and see for ourselves. We are planning to leave ft Meyers on Monday on our way south to marathon and possibly the Bahamas. So if any Dodger owners have any sailing tips we would much appreciate hearing them before we get into the gulf.
Thanks,
Jimmac99
Nebula
26M

Mine is close but once you have wind on your sail you should be fine. It's when the sails are down that is seems to rub.

I have a MacX and had to cut the bimini support pole down a few inches so boom would clear it.
Was that your blue M hull mastless boat I saw last weekend cruising with 5 persons off Ft. Myers Beach?
If so I was the ghost rider trying to pickup a breeze under full sail.
If you need local knowledge, just e-mail me.
Dave

jimmac99 wrote:Just got back to Florida. While we were away I had a dodger and air head toilet installed. So far the air head is working as advertised, however the dodger seems like it might interfere with the boom and main sail. Wife and I just finished traversing the Okeechobee waterway so we have yet to have raise the main and see for ourselves. We are planning to leave ft Meyers on Monday on our way south to marathon and possibly the Bahamas. So if any Dodger owners have any sailing tips we would much appreciate hearing them before we get into the gulf.
Thanks,
Jimmac99
Nebula
26M

Thanks for your quick reply. No. That was not us. We haven't made it to Fort Meyers beach yet. We are presently in the City of Ft Meyers yacht Basin. On Monday we will be heading out into the Gulf and possibly anchoring for the night behind Fort Meyers beach. Anything special we should be aware of crossing the Miserable Mile?

Thanks,

Jim

After you go under the Cape Coral Bridge watch for the NO WAKE zone in the middle of the river! It seems like every marine unit from every local law dept. is hiding in one of the canals close by and they will ZOOM out to get you (roostertail & all) if your sailing might be leaving a slight wake. Other than that, try to follow some local with a deeper draught boat through the Mile (from a distance of course, just in case...)

Our Dodger stands 18" above the sliding hatch. We had a slight interference with the boom when the sail was slack. The problem was solved by moving the boom attachment bracket up 2". The main was about 5" below the halyard block in its original position so no problem raising it the 2"s.

Marc

26M

One last word of advice , if you are thinking of having any work or repairs done before you leave, please do not make the mistake of using the thieves at ol### marine at Fort Myers Beach! Had to get the sheriff's department to get my boat back even with a bill fully paid! Believe me go ANYplace else!

You folks that live in or near Florida are so dang lucky! I am totally jealous!

How long does it take you to get to Bahamas?

Jim, heading west from the Ft.Myers Yacht Basin you go under two bridges aprox. 8 miles before you head sw under the new Sanibel 70ft. ht.
You won't go thru the Miserable mile channel that goes to St James tho Picnic Island is a nice stop off and fires allowed.
Going to Matanza pass at Ft.Myers beach will require a mooring or farther south you can anchor.
Last time I picked up a mooring cost $10 and had launch service.Dingy dock under the west end of bridge and the Inn you pay your mooring fees.
Call before to find what bouy they assign you to.
Bring a dink just in case.
San Carlos pass is also a nice place to anchor just North of Lovers Key as well further South at New Pass.
Dave

jimmac99 wrote:Thanks for your quick reply. No. That was not us. We haven't made it to Fort Meyers beach yet. We are presently in the City of Ft Meyers yacht Basin. On Monday we will be heading out into the Gulf and possibly anchoring for the night behind Fort Meyers beach. Anything special we should be aware of crossing the Miserable Mile?

Thanks,

Jim

Your Main Sail Luff is cut much shorter than stock. This is what others may consider to clear the bimini.
Also appears your main sheet traveler is at the foot of companionway hatch at the entry.
These are not stock for a Mac. and many will not understand . Please advise others of modifications.
Dave

mdeane wrote:Our Dodger stands 18" above the sliding hatch. We had a slight interference with the boom when the sail was slack. The problem was solved by moving the boom attachment bracket up 2". The main was about 5" below the halyard block in its original position so no problem raising it the 2"s.

Marc

26M

Also appears your main sheet traveler is at the foot of companionway hatch at the entry.
These are not stock for a Mac. and many will not understand . Please advise others of modifications.

Every owner will understand as that is bog standard for an s are not the same as an
And the orginal poster has an

Thanks for all the info. Now that we've had the main sail up, after leaving ft. Myers, everything worked fine. We
might move the clam cleats to make them more accessible. The only other question is where to attach the boom topping lift line before raising the main?

Thanks
Jim

DaveB wrote:Your Main Sail Luff is cut much shorter than stock. This is what others may consider to clear the bimini.
Also appears your main sheet traveler is at the foot of companionway hatch at the entry.
These are not stock for a Mac. and many will not understand . Please advise others of modifications.
Dave

I don't know everything looks stock? Any more luff on the main and it would be on the deck? Also my traveler is in the same location and is not from the same dealer?

I stand corrected. I thought the main sheet both on the X and M attached to the helm pedestal.
The luff in the picture is much shorter than the MacX (this may be stock for the M and the X could use the same)
Dave

yukonbob wrote:

DaveB wrote:Your Main Sail Luff is cut much shorter than stock. This is what others may consider to clear the bimini.
Also appears your main sheet traveler is at the foot of companionway hatch at the entry.
These are not stock for a Mac. and many will not understand . Please advise others of modifications.
Dave

I don't know everything looks stock? Any more luff on the main and it would be on the deck? Also my traveler is in the same location and is not from the same dealer?