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(Quest0029) wrote in message ...
So, would they be ok to sail across the stream to the Bahamas? Across
the Northern Gulf back and forth to N or S. Florida? Down island to
the Caribbean? What are the limits?

Many have done it very successfully.
Your reasoning is sound, the only thing
missing in the Mac 26x is the ability to sail
a wide variety of conditions, weather needs to
fit more narrow parameters for good performance
and sailing pleasure.
But then it's a motorsailer NOT a sailboat.

Glenn

I have had my S2 for 14 yrs now and have recently upgraded and
replaced most things on it including engine, sails, standing rigging
and lifelines so probably will not make a change anytime soon.

While I enjoy sailing, my real interest is low cost cruising so I
would be happy with a cold fusion power source if it was cheap and
give up the sails. All cruising power boats are expensive to operate
compared to a sailboat. I gave serious consideration to a motorsailor
(a Nauticat) but all I see have too deep a draft. I have also
considered a trailerable trimaran (F31) but the cost really bothers me
($140,000). For what it does, the Mac26 seems to be a bargain.

My only experience with a Mac26 was in 1992 sailing from Carabelle to
Steinhatchee, Fl (about 70 miles) on my S2 when late in afternoon I
saw a mast on horizon behind me. Was no wind so we were motoring with
the old 7 hp Yanmar diesel. Boat behind was obviously catching up and
I assumed it had to be a larger vessel to be doing so well under power
as I was doing about 5.2 kts. As it passed, I was shocked to see it
was an ugly Mac26. They easily made it into Steinhatchee long before
dark where around dark as we finally entered the 5 mile long channel
the fog closed in suddenly. We spent a scary night in the fog not
knowing if we were in the channel or not but trying to stay in deep
water and not hit oyster bars. They later told us of the good meal
they had that night. They also told us by radio later how they
stopped at various interesting places on the coast that are too
shallow for me.

My experience with coastal cruising is that I spend at least 40% of
the time motoring due to lack of wind. Much time is also spent
waiting because we dont want to try to incessantly tack into a
headwind. This means that while cruising, at least 60% of the time, I
am not able to sail where I want to go. My cruising philosophy is
that I will use the diesel to motor when wind is unfavorable and if
the wind is favorable I will use sail. For this reason, I have
upgraded my engine to the 13 hp yanmar 2GM.

I suspect the real problem many ppl have with the mac26 is that it
does not support the self supporting long range cruising dream since
it is intended for more limited cruising. Buying a Mac26 is an
admission that you are not going to sail around the world or something
similar. I suspect that more experienced Mac 26 buyers are ppl who
have become more realistic about their cruising goals.

I would be curious to know the motoring range of the Mac26 for times
when there is no wind..