Sailing Stuff...

Andante III, 1987 Macgregor 26D, Chico, CA
Acquired August, 2000

Want some background music? Sailing or Ride Like The Wind

Video: San Francisco Sailing (Short Version, 13 mb | Long Version 31 mb)

Here are some simple, functional mods and ways that I do things:

Click to Enlarge

Anchor (Bruce style), 16 lbs., stored in lazarette with rode in 5 gallon bucket. Danforth (also 16 lb.) hangs from bow pulpit with rode stored in v-berth plastic bin. Reading Lights port and starboard in queen berth. Flexible arm adjusts close. Steve V.'s block & tackle rudder system with quick release jam cleat for accidental groundings; IdaSailor Rudder.
Mast crutch moved to stern, allowing lowering of mast while motoring, going under bridges, etc.

Depth sounders transponder, externally mounted, works great.
New Tohatsu 6hp 4 stroke (May, '06). Black Max Low Pitch Prop and Rudder/Outboard Linkage. Click Here for more info. Extra deep ladder with flat rungs and extra handle for easier climbing, from the water and while on the trailer.

"Cockpit Cushions", purchased at Costco, $40/each called "Easy Float" from http://aqualeisure.com, 72x28", 2-3inches closed cell foam. Soft, comfortable and do double duty in cockpit and in the water. Trimmed on one side to fit the cockpit contours. AC plug in motor well with pigtail. Permanent battery charger mounted inside starboard settee by battery. AC outlets near sink and above queen berth. Great mod done by previous owner. Stock masthead fitting for attaching backstay, topping lift and Windex. Walker Bay dinghy purchased back when it was $300, new. Indestructible, rows well, rides easily on bow or cartop. Keeps us dry and carries the folding bicycles and two adults. Due to needed tongue weight, it is trailered on the foredeck but would be easier to trailer in the cockpit...maybe after I move the axle back a foot. Davis Mega Lite Anchor Light plugs into cigarette lighter, turns on and off automatically, draws smallest amount possible for 2 mile visibility, hangs in the shrouds or off the backstay.

Depth sounder and GPS now mounted on horizontal aluminum swing arm (RadioShack, OmniMount LCD Cantilever Mount 75/100 CL).
More Pics
Mac 26D Sales Brochure
1988 Mac26 Manual
Swiveling jib sheet cam cleats. Essential mod, as far I'm concerned. When you're heeled over, sitting on the high side, it's still easy to trim the sheets with this setup. I made a quick shelf on both sides of the queen berth by attaching some base board to the small molded in lip on the liner. Clear plastic companionway door. Nice for letting more light in.

Boat hook mounted on port ceiling. Also, storage netting port and starboard. Hand water pump and dirty dishes still waiting for me... Hose from hand water pump connects to this 6 gallon jug resting on molded-in shelf on liner, held in by wood fiddle. We also pump out of store-bought 3 gallon water stored under the sink. Sanipotti Porta Potti has extra large storage tank, which also raises the seat. Over-sink setup (counter-clockwise): plastic drawers mounted to liner ceiling, overhead fluorescent light, paper towel holder, AC light with dimmer above, radio/MP3-CD player, access cover. Handy plastic pockets from WalMart hang on the head bulkhead.

Curtain purchased at WalMart nice for privacy in the head area, changing clothes, etc. Velcro holds curtain to centerboard housing. Telltales attach to shrouds. Much better solution than my previous cassette tape tied to the shrouds! Dwyer handheld wind meter, works great in low or high winds. Speakers port and starboard next to companionway. Plastic holders for odds and ends. They haven't broken yet but I'm planning to replace them with something sturdier. "Safety Pin" keeper/cotter pin. Very convenient and secure but can snag. I use it for the forestay turnbuckle. http://saltydogmarine.com/clevis_pins.html

Here's a reinforced rudder castle that minimizes the twisting tendencies in heavy conditions. Click HERE for more info on this. The spare tire is a convenient step up to the deck and adds weight to the tongue for better trailering. I just added the bow roller on the frame and it works great for pushing the bow higher into the bow chock when retrieving boat. Bow eye has backup safety chain and yellow ratchet strap keeps bow firmly in bow chock on bumpy roads. A Tiller Stay is almost indispensable when single-handing. Click on the different parts of the photo above for closeups. I use it when changing sails, when I need to go below, coming in and out of a slip and eating lunch, etc. (The closeup of the tiller shows a chrome fitting that is where the tiller extension connects.) Click on each pic above for closeups of my Plastimo Mini Contest. Used the dark plastic trim because the previous compass was larger.

Wooden mast support sits in mast step and is attached to mast with square knot. I'm guessing it's better for the mast not to bounce so much while trailering. Bearing buddies are injected with grease each trip. The idea is to provide positive pressure inside the hub so that the warm hubs won't draw water into the bearings when launching. I inject just a little grease until I see the spring-loaded nipple move a bit. I added a roller to this stainless mast holder and attached it to the original teak mast crutch. Makes it easier to move the mast back and forth. Winter boat cover: The goal is an effective cover that is easy to put on and off. For our N. Calif. "winter" the high peak A-frame keeps the water from pooling on the deck. Other times of year, I just put the tarp over the mast, sans ladder. (Click both pics to Enlarge)

Tomales Bay Photos

Sail-Camping Checklist and San Francisco Bay Marina List - 2002

Family Sailing at Lake Oroville - July 6-7, 2002

Memorial Day Sail - May 25-26, 2003

Sailing SanFran - Summer '03

Guys Only SanFran Trip - Summer '03

More Sailing Stuff...on Andante II (Mac V222) and Andante I (Skipjack skiff)

For those that are still awake, take a look at Stan Hankin's uniquely modified Macgregor 26D, the Yumiko Maru.

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Anchor (Bruce style), 16 lbs., stored in lazarette with rode in 5 gallon bucket. Danforth (also 16 lb.) hangs from bow pulpit with rode stored in v-berth plastic bin.	Reading Lights port and starboard in queen berth. Flexible arm adjusts close.	Steve V.'s block & tackle rudder system with quick release jam cleat for accidental groundings; IdaSailor Rudder. Mast crutch moved to stern, allowing lowering of mast while motoring, going under bridges, etc. Depth sounders transponder, externally mounted, works great.	New Tohatsu 6hp 4 stroke (May, '06). Black Max Low Pitch Prop and Rudder/Outboard Linkage. Click Here for more info.	Extra deep ladder with flat rungs and extra handle for easier climbing, from the water and while on the trailer.

"Cockpit Cushions", purchased at Costco, $40/each called "Easy Float" from http://aqualeisure.com, 72x28", 2-3inches closed cell foam. Soft, comfortable and do double duty in cockpit and in the water. Trimmed on one side to fit the cockpit contours.	AC plug in motor well with pigtail. Permanent battery charger mounted inside starboard settee by battery. AC outlets near sink and above queen berth. Great mod done by previous owner.	Stock masthead fitting for attaching backstay, topping lift and Windex.	Walker Bay dinghy purchased back when it was $300, new. Indestructible, rows well, rides easily on bow or cartop. Keeps us dry and carries the folding bicycles and two adults. Due to needed tongue weight, it is trailered on the foredeck but would be easier to trailer in the cockpit...maybe after I move the axle back a foot.	Davis Mega Lite Anchor Light plugs into cigarette lighter, turns on and off automatically, draws smallest amount possible for 2 mile visibility, hangs in the shrouds or off the backstay.

Depth sounder and GPS now mounted on horizontal aluminum swing arm (RadioShack, OmniMount LCD Cantilever Mount 75/100 CL). More Pics	Mac 26D Sales Brochure 1988 Mac26 Manual	Swiveling jib sheet cam cleats. Essential mod, as far I'm concerned. When you're heeled over, sitting on the high side, it's still easy to trim the sheets with this setup.	I made a quick shelf on both sides of the queen berth by attaching some base board to the small molded in lip on the liner.	Clear plastic companionway door. Nice for letting more light in.


	Boat hook mounted on port ceiling. Also, storage netting port and starboard.	Hand water pump and dirty dishes still waiting for me...	Hose from hand water pump connects to this 6 gallon jug resting on molded-in shelf on liner, held in by wood fiddle. We also pump out of store-bought 3 gallon water stored under the sink. Sanipotti Porta Potti has extra large storage tank, which also raises the seat.	Over-sink setup (counter-clockwise): plastic drawers mounted to liner ceiling, overhead fluorescent light, paper towel holder, AC light with dimmer above, radio/MP3-CD player, access cover.	Handy plastic pockets from WalMart hang on the head bulkhead.


	Curtain purchased at WalMart nice for privacy in the head area, changing clothes, etc. Velcro holds curtain to centerboard housing.	Telltales attach to shrouds. Much better solution than my previous cassette tape tied to the shrouds!	Dwyer handheld wind meter, works great in low or high winds.	Speakers port and starboard next to companionway. Plastic holders for odds and ends. They haven't broken yet but I'm planning to replace them with something sturdier.	"Safety Pin" keeper/cotter pin. Very convenient and secure but can snag. I use it for the forestay turnbuckle. http://saltydogmarine.com/clevis_pins.html


	Here's a reinforced rudder castle that minimizes the twisting tendencies in heavy conditions. Click HERE for more info on this.	The spare tire is a convenient step up to the deck and adds weight to the tongue for better trailering. I just added the bow roller on the frame and it works great for pushing the bow higher into the bow chock when retrieving boat. Bow eye has backup safety chain and yellow ratchet strap keeps bow firmly in bow chock on bumpy roads.	A Tiller Stay is almost indispensable when single-handing. Click on the different parts of the photo above for closeups. I use it when changing sails, when I need to go below, coming in and out of a slip and eating lunch, etc. (The closeup of the tiller shows a chrome fitting that is where the tiller extension connects.)	Click on each pic above for closeups of my Plastimo Mini Contest. Used the dark plastic trim because the previous compass was larger.


	Wooden mast support sits in mast step and is attached to mast with square knot. I'm guessing it's better for the mast not to bounce so much while trailering.	Bearing buddies are injected with grease each trip. The idea is to provide positive pressure inside the hub so that the warm hubs won't draw water into the bearings when launching. I inject just a little grease until I see the spring-loaded nipple move a bit.	I added a roller to this stainless mast holder and attached it to the original teak mast crutch. Makes it easier to move the mast back and forth.	Winter boat cover: The goal is an effective cover that is easy to put on and off. For our N. Calif. "winter" the high peak A-frame keeps the water from pooling on the deck. Other times of year, I just put the tarp over the mast, sans ladder. (Click both pics to Enlarge)