MacGregor 26M Sail Log: 20 November 2009: Johnson Lake, Nebraska

40.69821,-99.858427
I picked up the boat at Super Sport's workshop and followed Gary down to the ramp at Johnson Lake. We rigged her for the first time while Gary explained the steps and answered the questions I had.

We broke for lunch while John brought the keys down to the lake. We had sandwiches from the gas station at the NE corner of the lake. Upon returning, Lyman, who had been Angie and my sail instructor months before, was up on Galactica tying cassette tape onto the shrouds to aid in determining the wind direction.

I backed Galactica into the water for the first time; Gary received her and tied her to the dock as I parked the Silverado and trailer.

After final checks, we opened the ballast and I started the Evinrude Etec 60 for the first time. She started right up. We backed out and idled out of the harbor. There is a channel leaving that shallow end of the lake. I varied the speed and waggled the boat getting a feel for her. Without a depth guage I was cautious. After we were out in the main lake, I opened her up some and played around seeing how tender or steady she would be. The first time I opened the throttle up to nearly wide open throttle (WOT), she stumbled slightly and then took off. It's amazing to me to see a sailboat hauling A at more than 15 mph. But she's a hybrid boat, a mix of both worlds. After playing around, doing figure 8's and both tight or wide circles, I could not wait anymore. The sails needed to go up!

Galactica has a 150% Genoa fore sail and a large main sail. The wind was low at that point. I powered down and turned her into the wind. We raised both sails and I let her fall off to starboard. For the first time, Galactica was harnessing the wind!

We spent a few hours sailing around. Manning the helm, I worked her through all points of sail, tested her handling and then tacked to the east end of the lake. I switched with Gary. He took the helm so that I could work the sheets through all points of sail again. Near the end, I manned both helm and sheets so that I could practice single handing her.

The wind slowly picked up thoughout the afternoon. I did not have an inclinometer yet but we pulled the Jenny sheets tight and the main sheets tight and I pointed Galactica as close into the wind as she'd go. I meant to pay attention to any crabbing but was too thrilled with piloting her heeled over. We were heeled on a port tack at least 30 to 35 degrees!!! This is a lot of fun!

On the way back to the harbor, we lowered the sails and opened the ballast. I started the Etec and got her fast enough to empty the ballast tank. She's definitely more tender without the water ballast full. I made a mistake while bringing her in. I did not fully close the ballast port and she slowly filled with ballast water as we idled though the cove to the ramp. Not a big mistake but the tank was nearly full when I put her onto the trailer. It's a learning experience I'll probably not repeat.

The Macgregor 26M does not handle the same as my old runabout when approaching the dock and trailer. It took me 3 tries to brind her gently next to the dock. I'm glad that the wind and current wasn't too bad in cove. I will be practicing a lot of docking and ramp work this first season with her.

Primarily, I'll be sailing her but Angie is trained and can at least sail the boat herself should I accidently jibe myself into the water. :)

It was sunset as we brought Galactica back in. Gary and I quickly de-rigged her and secured her for the 600 mile journey home! By twilight, I was ready to head out. I thanked Gary and headed East. A subway sandwich, several large coffees and a lot of miles later, I pulled into a truck stop near the Iowa border. It was cold that night as the temperature had dropped with a heavy fog as the unseasonable mild day ended and winter returned. I camped in the boat at the truck stop.

I'm used to camping with my sons' old scout troop every month in any condition. This was positively luxurious! :) We returned home the next day and I put Galactica into the barn for the first time!