Newbie questions: Outhaul rigging & reefing

[Jamey Osborne]

Hey, all.Just got my Macgregor 26 (D- I believe but it might be an S-; 1989 model) into the water for the first time last weekend. Boy, the first time trailering and un-trailering was interesting, but that's another post!I have two questions based on that experience. The first has to do with rigging the outhaul on my boom. I've attached a picture of what I encountered after rigging the mainsail. The 1/4" line for the outhaul doesn't reach the clew (short by about an inch). Of course, I could rig a longer line for the outhaul, but it doesn't make sense that it would be rigged too short. Advice?The second question has to do with reefing. I ended up using what I'm pretty sure is the reefing line to secure the clew around the boom but it was loose and I'm confident that's not the way to do it! Can someone give me some advice about properly rigging the mainsail? With the winds in west Texas/New Mexico, I will need to know reefing, so info/advice about that would be appreciated too.Thanks in advance from a newbie!

 

[MArk]

Something missing

Jamey,There's a Mac 26 manual on Bob's website. (link below) I suggest you make yourself a copy for future reference. Photo number 27 of the manual shows a cleat near the end of the boom to tie the outhaul to. I see by your photo that your cleat is missing. The previous owner must have modified the outhaul from what came from the factory or maybe the pulley is just for outhaul when reefed.By the way, what is commonly referred to as the "D" is the daggerboard model (1987-1989). The "S" is the swing keel model (1990-1995). Both are also sometimes referred to as the "C" for classic (pre "X"). The Hull Identification Number (HIN) designation for all of these is actually "W". See Wadler's site for lots of Mac info:http://www.wadler.orgHappy sails *_/),MArk

 

[Doug Rodrigues]

Mark is correct...

The cleat is missing.

 

[Robert]

Jiffy reefing ?????

Jamey,It looks like the sailor you purchased the boat from had some sort of jiffy reefing system set up. As for the out haul, I'd just lenghten your line to make it work, then investigate the possibility of an already rigged jiffy system. I can't see the other side of your boom from your picture, but you can use the pully on the boom in the pic to set up a quick, effective jiffy reefing system. It worked great on my 26.Good luck.

 

[John DeFino]

jiffy reefing

I also have a 26S and what appears to be a jiffy reefing system. But I'm also a new sailor and am not sure how it is rigged. Any description or photos? I also agree that the outhaul cleat appears to be missing on that boom.

 

[Jamey Osborne]

Jiffy Reefing?

Thanks, everyone, for the input. Mark, thanks for the link to the manuals page. I was given the original manual that describes the boat and, though it's a bit different (updated, I think), both show my missing cleat. One of the previous owners must have done some racing because I have a very nice mainsheet traveler in the cockpit so it's not surprising to hear that some mods were done, probably for that purpose.So, here's a question: If my cleat was removed, how did any of the three previous owners rig the outhaul? Is it in the 1/4" line evident in the picture? It seemed that way on the boat, but would a 1/4" line be used as an outhaul? It seems kind of small, especially compared with the pictures.Next, what is a jiffy reefing system? I'm a newbie, so please endure the need for basics! I'm familiar with reefing (in theory) but when confronted by the 3/8" line (in photo on right) set up where the reefing grommets are, I'm stumped as how to use the line there to actually reef my main. I did notice when I mounted the boom that I don't have that "upside down J" hook for the reefed tack grommet. Thanks in advance. I'm learning a lot.