I take it you have never sailed any of the Mac series Bob.... or you
wouldn't make that statement.

Macs have certainly been hit by the occasional squall and live to tell the
tale. Let's not go crazy here. I admit that the 26 is cheap cheap cheap, but it
can handle what most weekend boaters will toss at it. The kind of person who
buys it lacks the know-how and balls to challenge it's design much. Of course
the "stupid factor" can come into play, but that works on good boats as well.

RB