First Time Out - 1988 Mac 26D

[r.oril]

We put our 1988 MacGregor 26D in the lake for the first time today. Pyramid Lake, Ca. is about 30 minutes from our house and we were in the water sailing in 1 1/2 hours. $11 dollars to enter and launch.

Ok, so I forgot to drop the Dager Board after launch but did remember before raising the main. And, guess who raised the Jib upside down?? Other that that, all went great.

I handed the helm to my wife while I raised the Jib (twice) and she sailed the boat for the rest of the day. She has never sailed before, but this Mac 26D responded to her wishes and I just kicked back, trimmed the Jib and enjoyed the day.

She likes to lay her over pretty good but this Mac gets to a point and then Hauls Butt. The boat is real safe for first timers.

I think the boat is tuned pretty good and don't plan to change any thing.
Well, I will add an extra forestay for security and attach the Jib to it.

Thanks to everyone for all the help and keep up the good work.

Bob and Joni

 

[smitroe]

Bob and Joni, Thats a story everyone likes to hear.....glad you had agreat time and liked the boat. My first sail in my vn-23 was wild. It was so much fun , we had the spreader brackets upside down and the sails we finally figured out as we went down the river but shortly before the mooring all was correct and the boat was a dream to handle. It was probably one of the best sails I have ever had .....messed up as the first half of it was we all had a real great time...I think I have a picture of us going down the river with everything messed up if so , Ill attach it ....smitroe

 

[JDK]

by the bug that the Mac is known for. We have an '88 D as well, and it is the most forgiving and fun boat out there. It's something that two people can do together that's relaxing and calm for the most part, but can be challenging and competitive if you want it to.

Since it's almost the holiday season, I'm attaching a pic from last Christmas Eve at a state park twenty miles south of our home ramp.


JDK

 

[r.oril]

Smitroe - Great photo. I can hear the guy by the mast looking at the Jib, "What"!

JDK - Glad to see how far the Mac will lay over, WOW! Great photo library.

Thanks for the comments Guys.

 

[Hec @ 19]

R.,
My first time out I forgot to fill the ballast. Don't jibe with an empty tank unless you want to wash your windows. We loosed the main sheet and the end of the boom kissed the water, but she popped right back up again; our eyes were wide as saucers.

 

[Paulie]

Hi Bob and Joni,
my wife and I have a mac 26D and we just love it.

One thing i have found is i hardly ever have to put the dagger board down, the mac just tracks so well, i feel i don't really need it, one less thing to remember to do.

hope you keep enjoying it like we do.

 

[r.oril]

ROTFLOL!
Glad to see that I am not the only one!
HEC - would have been "Man Over Board" for me.

O-yes, forgot to mention the close calls with the boom. The sound it makes as it passes over your head..............Whooooooooooooooosh - whack!!!! Scary!

Thanks all,
BnJ

 

[RNC725]

First time out....

There are only two (2) types of beginner sailors.

1. The type that make beginner mistakes.

2. The type that lie about NOT making beginner mistakes.

Some I've done and observed:

*shoving off without a gas tank
*shoving off without m' crew (standing on the dock looking forlorn...)
*pulling up a halyard without first attaching a sail to her --- YEP!, lets drop that mast yet one more time today...
*Boom stories???? First time out I truly found out why they call it the boom.
*running aground coming back to the trailer -- w/i 30 feet of it??? Yep, been there done that
*anchoring overnight the first time, what a drag (not enuff room here to tell that story)

Bob and Joni, welcome aboard

Fairwinds to all

Bob Centers
s/v ENCORE
Augusta, GA

 

[walt]

This is the perpetual beginner issue for me...

Leaving the rudder down when you pull the boat and trailer up the ramp. Fortunately there are usually a bunch of people around who will "let you know" you are grinding your rudder down on the pavement.

 

[r.oril]

walt - You were the one yelling at me!

RNC - Leaving "Crew" at the dock! I would be "Walking the Plank" if I forgot my wife.

Thank God, there are some helpful people watching over us "newbies".

This is getting to be a real fun and informative posting.

Thanks

 

[Michael15765]

What a great story! We all had a "first time", and no doubt, we all had an adventure! That's what makes sailing soooo much fun! If you didn't have a story to tell, there wouldn't be any point in doing it! And if it was easy... "anybody" could do it! And we all know that us (we?) sailors are special people!

 

[caguy]

Congratulations on a successful first time out. Used to water ski Pyramid Lk. Nice that you are so close.
You have my number, Give me a call if you decide you want to get your boat salted, or if you want to go out with the rest of the gang out of MDR, there is always plenty of room on one of ours.
Glad to see that your wife shares your new obsession.
Frank

 

[r.oril]

Michael - My middle name is after my uncle Allan. He use to sail various size boats from Hawaii to the west coast by himself. I never got to sail with him before he passed and figure he is watching over me. Hope he doesn't fall out of the sky LOL! He was special people!

Frank - We will get together soon. I plan to crew with your group.

Thanks

 

[Blake]

1st Time

Our first trime out with the 26S went like clock work. Did everything right from ramp to water to ramp. What a couple of pros, my wife and I. The second trip we met my aging, non sailing parents and took them for a sail. The boat would not steer and the weather helm was incredible! Careened around Canyon Ferry Lake for a couple of hours before I finally realized that I had forgot to to cleat the rudder down.
Lost track of the order after that. Pulled Walts favorite, dragging the rudder up the ramp, in front of about 50 bystanders. Paulie, you are kidding about the tracking ability with the dagger board up, arn't you? Because I can't count how many times I have attempted to claw my way up wind without dropping my center board. So far it hasn't worked.
Humility is a good thing, Right?

 

[novelman17130]

Great for your first sail on your "new" boat. Are we still on for sailing out of Marina del Rey on my boat or yours? I have a possible three day sail in January from MDR to Long Beach then overnight stay. The next night at Shoreline Marina across from the Queen Mary and back to MDR. The total distance is 60 to 70 nautical miles. It's always been a great sail, especially when whales and porpoise are seen and tracked. Call me again at 661 965 0394.
Duane "novelman"

 

[TC22454]

Thanks to all,

I make my wife read every single one of your posts. She still thinks I'm a complete idiot, just not alone in the world.

Unfortunately, I have no stories to tell. I have never once checked the ballast tank and left the fill plug out while we went sailing, let alone twice. I never cranked and cranked the motor to no avail, broke the boat down, took her home and found I never connected the fuel line. I never raised the mainsail while the boat drifted broadside to the wind with the mainsheet snugged right up. I never did any of those things (and more). Why, I'm like Mary Poppins - practically perfect in every way. My wife just makes things up.

 

[r.oril]

Blake - Looking forward to my 2nd sailing adverture after hearing about yours.

Mary Poppins - Now there is a great name for a boat. She sailed with just an umbrella and handbag. Like your "tongue-in-cheek" comments.
I checked out your upgrades...Nice job! I really like the instrument setup.

Novelman - January sail is looking good, weather permitting. Still not sure about my boat or yours. Wife is iffy about the open ocean but loves to photograph animals.

Keep the stories coming guys. Makes for great reading and note taking for us "newbies".

 

[r.oril]

I forgot to mention the boom swinging pretty fast as we sailed down wind. Was real lucky not to get boomed.
What do you think of the Gyb Easy Boom Brake? http://shop.torresen.com/ships_store/?p=details&ident=505150&gclid=CJq74NqAlJcCFRNOagodoCAeDw
I was going to make something on my own and then searching the threads I found some info on different types of brakes.

 

[v3n0m]

r.oril its great to see all the progress. I my self have some good first time stories like a man overboard while docking. I like to come in a bit to fast hit the dock and my buddy was missing. I jump off the boat on to the dock (buddy is under boat and motor is still running) Buddy is ok and we laugh. I come in a lot slower now and I don't have to buff out the rubber scuffs. Sorry to be missing in action but I took a long vacation.

 

[r.oril]

v3n0m - Man under the boat, Scarry!! I went out Monday solo. Did most everything right but forgot to wait until the ballast tank was full, but remembered it about 100 yards from the dock. Stopped and waited until full and then off to the center of the lake. NO WIND! It just stopped. No worries, grabbed the fishing pole and fed the fishies. I have a fish finder and could see the little buggers----------next time I will take some C4, LOL! Coming back to the dock, I looked like a pro...Came to a dead stop 6" from the bumpers, stepped off, grabed the fore and aft lines, just like I knew what I was doing. Solo work with the mast is no problem and getting the wires all wrapped up for transport now is easy and looks better.
I found a new forward 5/32 wire for $75 to add to the 1/8 forward wire for security. Two wires up front makes sence to me.
Have a great holiday.