Modifying macgregor 36 cat

[DamianW86]

Hi!

I got a hold of a macgregor 36 cat and planning on using it for racing/private charter work....
There is some work ahead of me but generally speaking here is a scope of work that's happening:

new cross beams (wider, 20')
new mast: rotating wing mast 43'
Composite deck behind mast with guest lounge seating
double help with wheel steering
All soft rigging
new rigging/sail configuration
kick-up rudders
hull reinforcement for new new rigging location
new air box, water tight bulkhead sections
and some more.....

I am comfortable with most construction/ fabricating but I would love some opinions on rigging loads...

To recap, here is the old and well, improved configuration:
length: 36'
boat displacement 3000lb (slightly heavier after renovations)
Old Beam: 16' (original is 18) --> New beam: 20'
Old mast: 36' --> New mast: rotating, wing, 43'
Old: shrouds go down to the cross beam --> New: diamond shrouds
Old: backstays --> New: side stays (fractional) + running backstay for spinnaker use
Old: unknown wire rigging --> New: soft rigging (colligo)

-->New cross beams: 1/4" thick 6" diameter, 20' long cross beams with a rotating ball ontop of dolphin striker in the middle.

-->New sail config/rigging: fractional with square main and self tacking jib + spinnaker/Reacher

--> wing mast (currently just a plain spar) is brand new, I believe it to be pre-drilled and configured for Reynolds 33. The same spar is used for farrier 32, 33.. My boom will be attached about 5' from the base of the mast for easy chartering...


So I am trying find answers/ doing research on the following:

-->adequate shrouds /stays diameter / breaking force
-->side stay angle/ position of attachment to deck
-->most important: how many sets of spreaders? 1 or 2? Reynolds 33 had 1 set, ferrier 32, 33 has 2 set of spreaders...
-->does anybody have experience/opinion on Colligo ELHF (jib soft rigging furler)?
--> does anybody have experience/opinion on colligo cheeky tang attachments...

I look forward to the conversation!
Thanks in advance!

 

[bajansailor]

The previous owner of Shasa II in the link below did a lot of modifications to his Macgregor 36, all in the quest for additional speed, and he also had her employed in the day charter trade here.
Homepage - Shasa Catamaran Cruises https://shasacatamarancruises.com/

Here is the previous owner's website - it includes a photo of the McGregor when she was called 'Why Not'.
Barbados Sailing.Com https://www.barbadossailing.com/
I thought that Ron's various modifications were fairly radical at the time, but Why Not will be very conservative when compared against your new machine!
Ron built new rudders for Why Not, which were stronger than the original rudders, and he also added to the bridge deck space for guest seating / lounging.
Why Not has a fully battened mainsail, with a Tides Marine track which Ron is very impressed with -
Track & Slide Systems | Tides Marine https://www.tidesmarine.com/sailtrack/
She did capsize once, under sail in gusty conditions a few years ago (thankfully without charter guests on board) - even though you have 4' more beam, I think you will need to be very aware of this possibility with your larger rig.

 

[SolGato]

Congrats!

Cool to hear that Mac Cat found a new/good home.

Looked like the perfect platform for customization.

I’m trying to track down the Stiletto 27 project hulls on trailer that were kicking around the islands for a while if you happen hear of them.

 

[DamianW86]

Congrats!

Cool to hear that Mac Cat found a new/good home.

Looked like the perfect platform for customization.

I’m trying to track down the Stiletto 27 project hulls on trailer that were kicking around the islands for a while if you happen hear of them.

for sure, thanks mate..
I happen to have a stiletto 27 as well I sail it on kaneohe bay couple times a week.
Pretty cool boat, I am curious which one will perform better stiletto or macgregor

 

[DamianW86]

The previous owner of Shasa II in the link below did a lot of modifications to his Macgregor 36, all in the quest for additional speed, and he also had her employed in the day charter trade here.
Homepage - Shasa Catamaran Cruises https://shasacatamarancruises.com/

Here is the previous owner's website - it includes a photo of the McGregor when she was called 'Why Not'.
Barbados Sailing.Com https://www.barbadossailing.com/
I thought that Ron's various modifications were fairly radical at the time, but Why Not will be very conservative when compared against your new machine!
Ron built new rudders for Why Not, which were stronger than the original rudders, and he also added to the bridge deck space for guest seating / lounging.
Why Not has a fully battened mainsail, with a Tides Marine track which Ron is very impressed with -
Track & Slide Systems | Tides Marine https://www.tidesmarine.com/sailtrack/
She did capsize once, under sail in gusty conditions a few years ago (thankfully without charter guests on board) - even though you have 4' more beam, I think you will need to be very aware of this possibility with your larger rig.

Hey, I appreciate the link! This is actually pretty wired, I happen to be shown shasa catamarans today on facebook.. completely out of nowhere and then I come here to see that reference again and yet I was searching for macgregor content all over the internet and found almost nothing...
I will try to reach out to the to learn more and connect!
cheers

 

[bajansailor]

This is actually pretty wired, I happen to be shown shasa catamarans today on facebook.. completely out of nowhere and then I come here to see that reference again

That is an impressive coincidence for sure! Facebook must have some amazing algorithims that somehow connect this Forum to your FB page?