Modifications to our boat

Macgregors are less expensive than a comparable sailboat because they don’t come stock with a bunch of options that you may or may not need.  They come with just what you need to start sailing and enjoying the boat.  Even the motor is not a stock item.  That is because there are so many different outboard motors that the factory lets the owner choose which one they want.  Because the boat comes with just the basics, part of the fun, if you are a do it yourself person is modifying the boat to suit your particular needs or tastes.  Note many dealers will happily install all the extras you want if you don’t like the do it yourself route.  Here are the modifications that were done to our boat, some by me and some by the sailboat and motor dealers I used.

The first modification I had done by the dealer was the installation of a kit to lead all lines aft to the cockpit.  A typical sailboat you have to go up to the mast to raise the sails.  The lines aft kit brings all of the halyards to the cockpit, so sails can be raised from there.  This makes the boat easy to single-hand.  

Had my motor dealer install fuel lines from both tanks and routed the lines under the rear berth to a Tee and manual shut off valves installed on top of each fuel tank, so that I could run one or both of the fuel tanks.  This had the added benefit of freeing a trip hazard with short fuel lines running underfoot in the cockpit right in the area where you come in and out from the water.  

Installed a Lowrance GPS chartplotter/depth sounder and fish finder at the helm.  I had used the GPS and charts on my smartphone but there was always the hazard of dropping the phone overboard.

Installed cooling fans below decks in the cabin to make sleeping more comfortable in the heat of summer.

Installed flag/burgee pulleys.

Installed dual AGM batteries with a 1/2/all perko switch.

I saved the best modification for last.  The best modification I did was to install a quick disconnect on the motor steering arm.  What this does is to remove the motor weight from the rudders and steering wheel while sailing.  Because an outboard motor will tend to flop from one side to the other when sailing on different tacks you would have to keep a constant hand on the wheel.  From the factory the boat came with a motor/steering disconnect but it was cumbersome to use and required the use of a wrench which is difficult to do while sailing.  One of Macgregor’s biggest dealerships in Seattle, Washington Blue Water Yachts www.bwyachts.com invented a spring loaded quick disconnect that works beautifully.  

Blue Water Yachts motor to rudder steering linkage with motor connected.

Steering linkage with motor disconnected from rudders for sailing

When sailing with the motor removed from the steering the boat tracks so well under sail that I can get up and walk around.

Mods planned for the future:

Install Origo alcohol stove for cooking

Install blue tooth enabled stereo system

Install small dish cabinet above the galley

Replace all incandescent lighting with LED

Mount a VHF antenna on top of the mast

Finally name the boat and apply graphics