"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...

On Fri, 1 Apr 2011 09:45:33 +0000, (Barnabé) wrote:

Frogwatch wrote:

The guy I know who crossed from Fort Lauderdale to MArsh harbor ina
Mac26 has it set up more luxurious than my house. He has a LArge
screen TV aboard ( I dont even have a small screen tv at home), AC,
stereo, stove hot water shower, microwave, memory foam matress, etc,
etc. Amazing the stuff he put aboard. Oh, a wind generator and solar
too.

And he really thinks these will prevent her from capsizing ?


Ballast (-:
These boats don't capsize if the water ballast is taken care of.
They can get knocked down like any sailboat but won't turtle if
ballasted. Mast is foam-filled too.
I wouldn't think of putting a TV on a boat, but the Max 26 is highly
customizable.
There's a guy called Madmike Dunn with a 26 X that has all kinds of
stuff installed, including A/C, watermaker, 2k generator, wind and
solar power, 3 OB motors, dinghy, etc,etc.
When trekking kept only potable water in his ballast tank with a pump
system I think.
He's also changed the running gear, centerboard, rudders, mast, and
who knows what else.
He's a former "expedition leader" and a veritable legend on the
MacGregor forum.
Think he's a VP at North Sails now.
Taken his Mac all over the place sailing from the Arctic to S.
America, into the interior on the Amazon, etc.
Hove to on a sea anchor in heavy seas, the whole nine yards.
Not sure of the whole story, but he's posted many of his mods on the
MacGregor forum.
He's said the boat can never be a good sailer, but can be greatly
improved.
Don't know why he chose the Mac 26, but I guess because the shell
and basic design suited his purposes.
Good shell and shallow draft is the big deal I think.
Haven't been in one myself, but would like to take a look.

--Vic
======

So do it. Find a Mac 26 owner in your area and go for a ride. Sailors are
usually happy to introduce new people to sailing.
If you find you like the boat (and sailing) then there is no reason not to
start NOW. If the boat is too pricey, get something else and at least learn
and enjoy the sport until you can get the boat you want.
There are a bunch of boats that fit on trailers and you don't have to live
in FL to be a sailor, some of the most beautiful sailing is not on salt
water. And fresh water is MUCH kinder to all the metal pieces/parts that go
on boats.