So now what do I do?

[centerline]

I sold my powerboats and bought a sailboat..... A '77 Mac21. I know a lot about power boats and boating in general, inland, coastal and off-shore, BUT absolutely nothing about sailing. I do know the boat is in great condition for its age..... not because it was so well maintained, but because to PO did not abuse it. (he kept it moored and sailed it regularly) so even though it looks good it needs some TLC. the PO was a decent sailor but didnt like to tinker with his boat.... I am a wanna-be sailor and I have always like to tinker with boats (its a curse, but one I seem to enjoy)

I am in need of someone to show me how to rig the thing.... and to show me what rigging needs replaced or is missing. the guy I got it from seems to have gotten his running rigging down at the local general store near his place..... not the best quality, but it got him back home.... some of it is pretty well frayed.

I can do wonders with mechanical stuff and stainless or aluminum fabrication, but im not a fiberglass man or a wood finisher. I would like to find someone who can redo the finish on my rudder.... maybe trade for some metalwork?

I'm in the salem/portland area..... does anyone have time to be a Mentor for awhile?.... and answer all the dumb questions that a newbie can think up....

 

[Joe]

Um.. the very first thing you should do is go buy a introductory book to sailing that has pictures of sailboats with the names of all the various parts and rigging..... It doesn't have to be Mac specific... because at this stage you're learning to crawl before you walk. Pay attention to the sailing instruction in the book........ Read... study.. all this then start asking questions about what you've learned.. Once you learn the very basics you canj figure a lot of the rigging out yourself.

 

[seadaddler]

Try

Try looking on the web for Mac sailors clubs or a Mac site where they can help all about the boat.
Nick

 

[Bill Roosa]

Chapman's Piloting

 

[Stu Jackson]

Dutton's is the piloting book, Chapman's is boating, but has good basic piloting, too.

 

[Stu Jackson]

Try the Harken website, they have good rigging drawings, for starters.

 

[JoyRide28]

Take a class. Both ASA and US Sailing offer Basic Keelboat Certification classes and I'm sure there is a sailing school (or 10?) near you.

 

[kpgraci]

"Sailing for Dummies", as are all of the "Dummies" books, is pretty good for an introduction to sailing.

I bought a copy when I was looking for a boat, then when I got my boat I found a copy in the locker.

I was looking hard at a Venture 21 but the paperwork fell though, nice little boat though. I think the Mac 21 is the same as a Venture 21 (?)

 

[centerline]

kpgraci, yes, the mac21 and the venture21 are the same hull.... as I understand it, all of the 21's built in 1976 and previous was V21's and all of them built in 1977 and later were M21s....
I did order "sailing for dummies", and i have read "chapmans piloting and seamanship" cover to cover many times over the years.... but usually skipped a lot of the sailboat specific stuff unless it was something interesting that caught my eye....
I know enough to talk about the boat and the rigging without getting lost in the jargon, but nothing about the actual setting up of the boat and the sailing of it..... some things seem simple and sometimes even irrelevant to an experienced hand, but to a newbie with a desire to learn the right way, its important information questions like how to trim a sail or why, what will it do for the boat?... or when to reef or furl?... what conditions would cause a person to consider a genoa over a basic jib..... or how about tying on a spinnaker?.... so many questions that have been asked by so many people..... its now my turn to ask.... or watch and learn...

 

[MrBill_FLL]

hit the mac board on this site... lot of v21 owners..

http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/forumdisplay.php?f=68

 

[Crazy Dave Condon]

Centerline;

Wlecome aboard matey. First, you are going about this in a good direction asking questions. There is no dumb question in sailing. I would suggest that you go to a school or ask for a good sailing instructor to take you out for the day. Yes it might cost you but a one on one lesson is worth the bucks. Good luck.

crazy dave

 

[njsail]

congratulations - you're a sailor now. fill a cooler with food and drink. Put it on the boat and enjoy your new boat wherever it happens to be. Driveway, slip, drifting in the bay. Start boat ownership the right way....relax. There is plenty of time for fixing, upgrading, cleaning, painting, scraping, rewiring, and troubleshooting.

After you slide into the new life of a sailor you can (and should) get lessons and start learning about your new floating paradise.

Then refill the cooler and go back to enjoying the sun and the motion of the ocean. Don't forget to repeat often. And remember....sailing IS the destination. Don't be in a hurry to get anywhere.

 

[abruzzi]

For sailing, I prefer the Anapolis Seamanship book over the Chapman book. Other than that, do what I did. Read up on the physics of sailing, and the setup of rigging, that take the boat out to a lake, motor to the middle, and figure it out. More fun that way.

Geof

 

[centerline]

congratulations - you're a sailor now. fill a cooler with food and drink. Put it on the boat and enjoy your new boat wherever it happens to be. Driveway, slip, drifting in the bay. Start boat ownership the right way....relax. There is plenty of time for fixing, upgrading, cleaning, painting, scraping, rewiring, and troubleshooting.

After you slide into the new life of a sailor you can (and should) get lessons and start learning about your new floating paradise.

Then refill the cooler and go back to enjoying the sun and the motion of the ocean. Don't forget to repeat often. And remember....sailing IS the destination. Don't be in a hurry to get anywhere.

EXACTLY.... you put it all into words. I've been there and done that. im divorced now, but when I was married, my wife could never figure out how I could enjoy going out and setting in the boat... tinkering... drinking a beer... listening to the radio... taking a nap or whatever.... all while the boat was setting in the driveway.... the difference is, I wanna continue to do it all, but without the cost, worry and smell of engines and fuel.... and without the noise. maybe even take the thing to the lake and see if I can get blowed around by the wind, LOL...

 

[centerline]

For sailing, I prefer the Anapolis Seamanship book over the Chapman book. Other than that, do what I did. Read up on the physics of sailing, and the setup of rigging, that take the boat out to a lake, motor to the middle, and figure it out. More fun that way.

Geof

Geof,
I will check out the anapolis book.... Ive seen it but never picked it up and looked thru it.

and as far as the learning to sail part goes, your suggestion about motoring to the middle is about the way I see it happening. I'll just take lots of Gas for the motor....

 

[Joe]

You're not ready for Dutton's. Annapolis is the best at this stage... but the "dummies" book will work, the Bob Bond book is classic, as well as the Gary Jobson primer... Hell... get them all. Try Amazon.

 

[c_witch]

I sold my powerboats and bought a sailboat..... A '77 Mac21. I know a lot about power boats and boating in general, inland, coastal and off-shore, BUT absolutely nothing about sailing. I do know the boat is in great condition for its age..... not because it was so well maintained, but because to PO did not abuse it. (he kept it moored and sailed it regularly) so even though it looks good it needs some TLC. the PO was a decent sailor but didnt like to tinker with his boat.... I am a wanna-be sailor and I have always like to tinker with boats (its a curse, but one I seem to enjoy)

I am in need of someone to show me how to rig the thing.... and to show me what rigging needs replaced or is missing. the guy I got it from seems to have gotten his running rigging down at the local general store near his place..... not the best quality, but it got him back home.... some of it is pretty well frayed.

I can do wonders with mechanical stuff and stainless or aluminum fabrication, but im not a fiberglass man or a wood finisher. I would like to find someone who can redo the finish on my rudder.... maybe trade for some metalwork?

I'm in the salem/portland area..... does anyone have time to be a Mentor for awhile?.... and answer all the dumb questions that a newbie can think up....

Lots of good stuff on the net as to rigging standing and running etc. Here is a movie about learning to sail that you might find anvantagous "Learn How to Sail with Penny Whiting" she's an aussie so be prepared for the accent and some terminology seems a bit different than what I grew up with. Very good all in all though, but it is fast paced and you'll likely have to watch more then once.

Once you have an idea as to what your doing there is still no better way then practical reading and watching will only take you so far.

c_witch

 

[SamLust]

It appears you haven't told us which Salem is your home port.

 

[sinnettc]

Good point. I presumed east coast. If you're talking oregon I've got some suggestions, though not re the mac.

 

[centerline]

It appears you haven't told us which Salem is your home port.

I think it shows now.... thank you for letting me know.