Johnson lever question

THECUSCUS · Aug 6, 2015

The backstay should be the last thing pinned down and should have almost no tension on it ( you have a fractional rig....right?). It is there for mast bending to change sail shape.

Bob 04 H260 · Aug 6, 2015

A Johnson lever works well on a Mac. I used one on mine for a number of years.

There is a picture if it in this web album, https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sre...true&authkey=Gv1sRgCLK0zuX7hNSxxwE&feat=email

There are a few other Mac mods shown there I did on this boat.

You can add a small tackle to the back stay it will help as the wind picks up if you shorten it and pull the top of the mast back to dump some air off the top of the mainsail, this also tightens the forestay a bit that may allow you to point a bit higher.

Enjoy your boat ! Bob

KrustyKrab · Aug 6, 2015

Bob 04 H260 said:
A Johnson lever works well on a Mac. I used one on mine for a number of years.

There is a picture if it in this web album, https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sre...true&authkey=Gv1sRgCLK0zuX7hNSxxwE&feat=email

"Sorry, that page was not found."

Sumner · Aug 6, 2015

KrustyKrab said:
"Sorry, that page was not found."

A picture....

.... of Bob's and ...

... of mine and more info here....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/rigging-24.html

As was mentioned above with the Mac you only have to pin the forestay. All of the rest of the rigging stays attached cutting down on setup time. The Johnson Lever lets you quickly and easily apply the proper tension to the forestay and the rest of the rigging without having to tension with the turnbuckle after pinning the forestay,

Sumner

===============================

1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac

Endeavour 37 Mods...

MacGregor 26-S Mods...

Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

justsomeguy · Aug 6, 2015

Macboy said:
snip-
Then we need to move the forestay attachment up on the mast? We've got the OE jib halyard still in place (for use with the raising setup) so would probably leave that tang there and add a new one. Is it just a couple holes and a through bolt?

(Sorry - I'm willing to bet a site search will show me these answers.....)

No, you leave the forestay hound's position on the mast the same, and get a new forestay to accomodate the lever's length.

Also, you'll be cutting down your furler foil to fit.

Can 'o worms, in some respects.

Bob 04 H260 · Aug 6, 2015

KrustyKrab said:
"Sorry, that page was not found."

Sorry about that, try this one, https://picasaweb.google.com/macsailor/Watermark9126S?authkey=Gv1sRgCLK0zuX7hNSxxwE

I used the big Johnson lever on my boat, original forestay but removed the turnbuckle. So I replaced the turnbuckle with the Johnson lever and I was happy with the rake I got. The lever does have some adjustment, 3 holes over about an inch or so if I recall.

good luck, Bob

(Sum, thanks for digging that picture up ! you are much more organized than I am !)

Sumner · Aug 6, 2015

Macboy said:
Is there a particular model number that fits the Macs best or is it just the 'large' one listed at West Marine? We have the same CDI furler drum up there.

Then we need to move the forestay attachment up on the mast? We've got the OE jib halyard still in place (for use with the raising setup) so would probably leave that tang there and add a new one. Is it just a couple holes and a through bolt?

(Sorry - I'm willing to bet a site search will show me these answers.....)

I moved my upper forestay attachment up the mast due to the longer length Johnson Lever I used vs. what most use and I also used toggles top and bottom, which are recommended by CDI. I kept the turnbuckle vs. Bob doing away with his and that also added length in my case. Since I was putting on all new rigging I also moved the shrouds up to the new point. I went with the next size up lever since I had also increased the size of the forestay and all associated hardware such as pins and such.

The part numbers are given in the link I gave above and again here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/rigging-24.html

If you only ended up moving the forestay up a few inches it would just be a matter of new holes in the mast and I'd leave the shrouds alone in that case.

I still have the old forestay attached up the mast (see picture above) and .....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner/macgregor2/rigging-17.html

..... have a means to also attach it below. I'm hoping someday to run one of the old hank-on foresails on it and then try running wing on wing using the Genoa on one side with the hank-on sail on the other side. Just been too lazy to try it so far but a couple runs in the Bahamas would of been perfect for it.

Lots of different options to consider but the Johnson Lever is a great upgrade for the boat regardless of which one you take,

Sumner

====================================

1300 miles to The Bahamas and Back in the Mac

Endeavour 37 Mods...

MacGregor 26-S Mods...

Mac Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida, Bahamas

Bfranchini · Oct 18, 2015

Bob 04 H260 said:
A Johnson lever works well on a Mac. I used one on mine for a number of years.

There is a picture if it in this web album, https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sre...true&authkey=Gv1sRgCLK0zuX7hNSxxwE&feat=email

There are a few other Mac mods shown there I did on this boat.

You can add a small tackle to the back stay it will help as the wind picks up if you shorten it and pull the top of the mast back to dump some air off the top of the mainsail, this also tightens the forestay a bit that may allow you to point a bit higher.

Enjoy your boat ! Bob

Hi Bob
I have a similar bow roller and CDI furler set up without a Johnson lever, I have been considering one but the one I found was recommended for dingus and up to 600 lbs. is that the one you used? Also someone I know was not happy with the fact that the forestay attachment was off center and, he claims, may affect the sailing characteristics etc... He he just being too picky? I haven't felt anything but then I own the boat since May and only started sailing last fall... I just love your Picasa page and I might implement some of your mods...

Bob 04 H260 · Oct 18, 2015

Bfranchini said:
Hi Bob
I have a similar bow roller and CDI furler set up without a Johnson lever, I have been considering one but the one I found was recommended for dingus and up to 600 lbs. is that the one you used? Also someone I know was not happy with the fact that the forestay attachment was off center and, he claims, may affect the sailing characteristics etc... He he just being too picky? I haven't felt anything but then I own the boat since May and only started sailing last fall... I just love your Picasa page and I might implement some of your mods...

Hi, I used this lever, http://www.defender.com/product.jsp?path=-1|118|2358491|2358502&id=205123
It is rated for 1000 lbs. No one that sailed our boat could notice any difference having the forestay offset by an inch.
I put an album up on the sailboat owners website for our Mac. Here,
http://forums.sailboatowners.com/index.php?media/albums/watermark.3655/

Fair winds, Bob

Bfranchini · Oct 18, 2015

Bfranchini said:
Hi Bob
I have a similar bow roller and CDI furler set up without a Johnson lever, I have been considering one but the one I found was recommended for dingys and up to 600 lbs. is that the one you used? Also someone I know was not happy with the fact that the forestay attachment was off center and, he claims, may affect the sailing characteristics etc... He he just being too picky? I haven't felt anything but then I own the boat since May and only started sailing last fall... I just love your Picasa page and I might implement some of your mods...

View attachment 115723 View attachment 115724

Bfranchini · Oct 18, 2015

Thanks Bob, love all your picture
I also appreciate the "fair winds" salutation, however, we are in Canada and the only winds we'll get will carry Snow and ice :-( I'm afraid our sailing is over for at least six months unless I fit oversize skates on Egret and turn it into an ice sailer...
We really need to move to a more temperate zone... Turks and Caicos once asked to join Canada but our crazy Prime Minister turned them down... Bad move!

Bob 04 H260 · Oct 18, 2015

Bfranchini said:
Thanks Bob, love all your picture
I also appreciate the "fair winds" salutation, however, we are in Canada and the only winds we'll get will carry Snow and ice :-( I'm afraid our sailing is over for at least six months unless I fit oversize skates on Egret and turn it into an ice sailer...
We really need to move to a more temperate zone... Turks and Caicos once asked to join Canada but our crazy Prime Minister turned them down... Bad move!

Hey when I had my Mac I sailed into Oct. then trailered it south in the winter, go for it ! We will probably head south the end of Dec. this year. It depends a bit on our dog, he is not doing too well. We don't feel he has another Bahamas trip left in him.
I can't see your two attachments in the previous post, it comes up with a not found error ?
Where do you sail your boat ?
Bob

Bfranchini · Oct 18, 2015

Hi Bob, I see we are neighbors
We live in Chateauguay, Quebec and we sail on lake St. Louis around Beauharnois. We would love to sail south but Evelyn still works as a teacher and I'm semi retired but I have a small consulting practice that pays for the boats and the spare parts...
We are both beginners and we are still practicing in our backyard... Next summer we are planning to trailor Egret to Kingston and try our luck with a one week cruise in the Thousand Islands region.
We too are serious pet owners, we own two budgies and three cockatiels that live in our former dining room, turned aviary, but most of the time they sit in my office and join in all the telephone conversations... So going south depends a lot on the availability of my sister in law who is also our trusted bird sitter.

Bill

Bob 04 H260 · Oct 21, 2015

Bill, good luck with the lever. You might also try shopping at "The Chandlery" here in Ottawa, very good to deal with, will match prices, do a lot of mail order business. I'm just a satisfied customer.
I'm sure you will enjoy the Thousand Islands area. Waupoos Marina is a good launch site for a cruise. Very friendly, family atmosphere. Secure parking for your truck. It is in the heart of the wineries, fine restaurants of Prince Edward County. We also enjoyed the North Channel when we trailered our boat.
We had the same issues when I retired before Sherry. I would trailer the boat south by myself then she would fly in for 2 weeks of sailing. Pets can be an issue when travelling. Better be nice to your sister in law !
Bob

Bfranchini · Oct 23, 2015

Thanks Bob
I just received the Johnson lever and surprise, I don't have to do any adjustments to my forestay/cdi set up because it's exactly the same length as the chain on the bow roller..
Of course now Egret is in my backyard with a tarp on it... Oh well... I'll fix it in the spring when I roll her out on my driveway and raise the mast which is always an impressive sight in suburbia... But then my neighbors know I'm crazy

I own two sailboats and three cedar strip canoes of my own make... I just love floating stock!
Thanks for the tip on Thousand Islands, a good marina would have been the subject of my next question and you answered it. I heard the winds on the south end of the lake are a little unpredictable, is that true?

All the best
Bill

Bob 04 H260 · Oct 23, 2015

I put a toggle between my lever and anchor roller, not sure if you did that, a good idea if not, keeps it all running fair as they say. On my boat the lever replaced the turnbuckle and so was able to use the original forestay.
I'll send you a pm about sailing in this area as we are getting far away from the topic !
Bob