Jonathan... You might find this post on our Mac web site kind
of interesting... since this guy (Leon) operates in your neighbor-
hood.

His Mac "Rusalka" is a 2005 26M with an E-Tec50 for power:

"Well, I had a few test runs with the new Quantum Fusion X sails
and am very pleased so far. Less, heel, more speed, great shape,
less weather helm, and did I mention they're fast?

Last Friday, the Admiral and I motored out of SF Bay, past the
Golden Gate into open ocean. The swells were 6-9 ft. with winds
15-20 knts. We sailed for about an hour on a beam reach with full
main & jib. Speeds ranged from 8.5-9.3 mph, touching 10 mph briefly
on a couple of occasions. Heel averaged 25-30 degrees.

I could have reduced this by flattening the main and opening up
the jib, but didn't want to bother. (would need to heave-to to get
to the outhaull and just wanted to keep going due to the short
days... it was late afternoon.)

Going back, we were close reaching, full main, 2/3 jib, going against
the swells, averaging 5.5 mph. Heel was 25-35 degrees... no roundups
but some weather helm. I tried sailing through the Golden Gate, that
point on a very broad reach but just didn't have enough power. The
tide was slack, so I was going against it, the wind died down and I
got caught in the middle of the infamous "Potato Patch."

It was time for the iron genny, which got us through. The coast
guard circled around, asking us if we were OK... I told him we were
fine. He then came to help another sail boat which hadn't the power
to make it back through the gate. It looked like he was setting up to
tow him.

I felt bad for the guy, but was really happy to have a Mac with the
big OB. Several other sailboats were sailing backwards. The only guy
who made it without auxilliary power was a guy flying a big spinnkaer.

As for the Dutchman system, the jury is still out. It sort of does
what it is supposed to do, but not quite what I expected. The sales
rep cautioned me that it will take some time until the sail develops
a "memory" and the Dutchman will work much better. While the sail
is new and really stiff, it won't quite work like it is supposed to.

All in all, I am a very happy camper and would recommend these
sails to anyone looking for high performance and/or sails in big winds.


Fair Winds & Happy Holidays to all you Mac-ers,

Leon"
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Any how I thought it kind of an interesting read... and of course
Mac related. Something that Jim C. and I would appreciate. :-)

Best regards

Bill