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Frogwatch[_2_] Frogwatch[_2_] is offline
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First recorded activity by BoatBanter: Nov 2008
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Default Mac26 as a cruising boat

On Jan 14, 10:45*am, Wayne.B wrote:
On Thu, 13 Jan 2011 19:33:48 -0500, John H
wrote:

Looks like that boat's made to take the seas!


http://www.macgregor26.com/index/gale_2_min.htm


Not really. * Take another look at that video and notice that the seas
are large but not breaking. * That's because they are mature deep
water waves that have reached full height for the wind conditions, and
are not being impacted by current or shoaling conditions. *That's the
difference between windy but relatively benign conditions, and what
you would encounter in a rapid onset Gulf Stream squall. *I have flown
over the Gulf Stream on days when the wind is blowing hard from the
north against the current. * You can see the waves breaking from
30,000 feet in the air, and that's about as close as you'd want to
get.


When I say beaching, I mean beaching in a place with protected shallow
water where a deep draft boat cannot go.
Furthermore, even with no motor, this boat is safer than most other
powerboats without a motor as it has ballast so will not roll over as
easily. It also has a centerboard to help it track true. With its
sails as backup, it is far safer in the Gulf Stream than most
powerboats without sail backup. Although the rigging is light, reefed
sails can be put up. Of course nobody would take such a boat across
in 30 kt winds but she would do well in such anyway.