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Mahe-Mahe · 30-11-2008, 17:42

Hi All,

Just got back from USVI. Great weather, but light wind...

I was on my 2007 Mahe Hull #47 (Mistina). First off, I love the boat. I have had my fair share of problems, most have been mentioned here in detail (electronics, squeaking, etc). She was a trio that I converted to a duo.

I was very impressed with the upwind speed, even in low winds. We were easily cruising between 7-9 knts in wind that did not exceed 12 knts. Fuel usage was fantastic. We did hours of motoring, charging the batteries, etc for a week and only used 10 gallons.

I am having a problem with the davits. The mounting angle is very high, and the extreme angle is cutting the line, causing the dingy to drop. Is my situation isolated?

The factory bimini is a bit of a problem as well. when the traveler is hard to port, it rubs the corner.

Any one have good ideas on helm shading? I saw one example a few posts ago, but am looking to see what else has been invented.

Having a couple of cam cleats installed for the jib sheet. This should take the pressure off the winches.

Also upgraded the battery banks and tied the alternators together. Those car batteries were no where close to what is needed.

Can't wait to return. If anyone is planning some sailing in the area, let me know. I would love to spend some time with another owner over some drinks at Willie T's !!!

Thanks,

Scott

jean1146 · 04-12-2008, 07:26

Scott.
I have a custom Bimini on our boat,when my traveler is hard to port or starboard,it rubs at some point,but this not a problem.My helm can be open or completly coverd with me sitting in the shade,if you go back in the thread I have pictures. About the davits,I have the factory ones,it is all tubular,I haven't had any problems with them.My batteries are still holding after almost 2 years now,wondering how much longer? Over all we are very satisfied with our boat.
JC.

IrieCat · 04-12-2008, 10:45

Scott, I had the same issue with my davits (my fault) my tender is 10'2. A little to long. I have tried to include a picture of the block I installed which has solved the problem.
Lonnie

DtM · 14-12-2008, 12:48

Our davits work well. Our dinghy is at the limit of size (not weight). We have found that if you tie a line from the dinghy to one of the aft cleats it stops the swinging that might be causing you annoyance Irie. We also have a light line from a staunchion to the dinghy that stops fore and aft swing in a decent sea.

Our batteries are holding up OK.

Our custom bimini is fantastic (side curtains are great off the bimini) and I am interested to hear that even the factory bimini has a rubbing problem with the mainsheet reaching and downwind. we are thinking of making a "sock" for the first three feet of the mainsheet off the boom.

jean1146 · 14-12-2008, 15:46

Dtm I thought about a sock too to protect the mainsheet. Same problem with my Bimini on both sides since mine covers the Helm.I just need to get to it.....let me know what you come up with. Weather has been very cold in Florida in November,so not too much sailing lately,it is no fun.JC. I will post some pictures of my new barbecue grill,pretty neat installation.

IrieCat · 14-12-2008, 16:33

I have been sitting in West End Grand Bahama waiting for my mom to fly in so we can proceed. While here the wind has been 20-30knts. My question is when I get 20+ knts the mast starts vibrating. It has always happened but I don't know if it is normal. Thanks for any feedback on this.

**Cotemar** · 14-12-2008, 19:02

Lonnie,
Next time you get the vibration. Try slaking up on the Main Sheet or the Topping Lift and see if the vibration goes away. I had the same issue on another model boat but the vibration went away when I did that.
Mark

IrieCat · 15-12-2008, 05:48

Mark, I love your picture. Don't know if I should laugh though. I am very new to sailing but did know what those "ropes" were. Thanks! Any luck on your new boat?
good luck
Lonnie

Scott730 · 15-12-2008, 05:49

Lonnie
I use bungie cords from the end of the boom down to the loops on the life lines on each side, this helps to dampen the movement of the boom when you slacken the main sheet. Watch that, if you let up on the topping lift, that you don't rub the top of your bimini with the main sheet loop guides on the bottom of the mast.
Hope to see you soon in the Abacos.

Scott

Scott730 · 15-12-2008, 05:51

Sorry, I should have said "the main sheet guides on the bottom of the boom"

Scott730 · 15-12-2008, 10:51

I have a question on the saildrives, can they be left in reverse gear while sailing to reduce drag? I did this on my old shaft drive boat but someone told me that I could flood the engines if I did it on a saildrive unit.
Thoughts/experience?

Thanks
Scott

DtM · 15-12-2008, 13:03

We put ours in reverse to get rid of a vibration (which is in fact the turning props) that appears at about 4 knots of boatspeed.

We checked with our Volvo mechanic and he says there is no problem with doing it. Just watch starting with the engines in reverse !!

Jef & Marin, Netherlands · 15-12-2008, 13:18

Regarding putting the saildrives in reverse gear:
the operator's manual of the Volvo engine / sail drive instructs:
"When sailing the control lever should be in the reverse position if a folding propellor is used and in neutral position if a fixed propellor is used".
We have folding props on our boat, so we should put gears in reverse. However in many cases we put the controls in forward position to avoid the jib halyards catching the levers when tacking. Can't think of a difference this would make.
Previously we sailed on a 32 feet monohull having a fixed prop. Sometimes we put it in gear without noticing. We would notice it when putting the gearbox in neutral again because the speed would go up by half a knot, at speeds below 5 knots. I wonder how much speed the Mahe looses if you put the 2 propellors in gear, either forward or reverse......

Scott730 · 19-12-2008, 13:29

Does anyone know who makes the hot and cold water supply hoses? I'd like to have a few feet of spare on board when we head to the Bahamas.

Thanks
Scott

IrieCat · 21-12-2008, 10:30

I am in the Bahamas and having a little engine/fuel problem. While motoring from West End GB to Great Sale I lost RPM's. I was running the motors at about 2300 when they suddenly dropped to 1500 then 1000 then back up to 2000. This has been going on for about 20 hrs. They will run just fine for a minute then bounce around for a while. here is the punch list of things I have checked. I started by checking the prop to see if I had picked up a fishing line but the prop was clean. Then I cleaned the fuel pre-filter and changed the fuel filter. Next I checked the strainer in the manifold pump. All of them seemed fine. My next step is to check the fuel hose in the tank (pick up). The reason I have put this on this forum is I can't figure out how to get to the fuel hose where it enters the tank, perhaps one of the other owners or Philippe could help. Thanks for your help!