DSK wrote:

felton wrote:

Actually I am leaning towards the theory that "jim" either already
owns one, is in the business of selling them or is some sort of
disinformation campaign trying to resurrect the Mac26X/M from it's
well deserved position in the sailing Hall of Humor.


Good call. I should have ignored him, but it's a slow day. And the
weather has really turned beautiful, I need to go sailing!

Actually, you are enjoying the Hell out of it. - You can't leave it
alone. - I should get an entertainment fee.


I do wish Jim the best, though, in acquiring the Mac26M as it seems to
be the boat which meets his needs and fulfills his desires. I suspect
he needs to look elsewhere for confirmation. I have never yet met
anyone with any sailing background or ability who would agree with
him.

How many people have you met who sailed the 26M's? This, after all, is
what I asked about, not the MacGregor line in general.


I have a number of friends who've owned the things... all but one have
moved on.

How many of your friends had sailed the 26M?

We went sailing & cruising in company many times in the
mid/late 90s. They are kinda fun if you don't mind the looks (and this
is one improvement in the new version)and don't expect much to happen
when you work at getting the sail trim right (once you get the rudders
fixed). It's really a camper trailer that also functions as a boat!

I'd be interested to see what MacGregor bases the claims of redesigned
hull upon. I've seen both on their trailers, and there ain't any visible
difference.

The front portion of the hull has a 15-degree hull, flatening out toward
the middle and aft. Additinally, the older model has a 5-foot
longitudinal recess in which the pivotable fin can nest, whereas the 26M
model doesn't have such a recess, since its vertical dagger board
doesn't require one. It's difficult for me to comprehend how you could
consider these two hull designs the same. (One more time, I didn't say
that the design changes made the boat a great sail or power vessel, did
I? I merely said that it made it a substantially different hull, and
that comments about the performance of the new boat shouldn't be based
on characteristics of the older model.) Again, some basic intellectual
honesty about what I said, and what others said, would be helpful.


You could literally swap trailers and not notice. But then
MacGregor has unfortunately gone down the road from mildly deceptive
advertising, to flirting with outright falsehood... maybe now they've
crossed the line?



wrote:
Also note that the claimed speed of 24 MPH is with a 50 HP motor, one
person aboard, no water ballast, and the rigging entirely REMOVED.

I believe I mentioned something along those lines. The speeds I've
observed for the things in real life is more in the neighborhood of 15
knots (18 mph)


..... The water ballast
weighs 1400 pounds, so that would be an instant drop to a possible top
speed of only 10 MPH according to the MacGregor website (1 MPH drop
for every 100 pounds added.)

The drag increases on a curve, so each added 100 lbs would decrease the
speed a bit less. Anyway, the ballast tank is designed so that it can be
emptied while motoring.


No one told me that I could expect 25 mph with a full load, and the Mac
brochure also states that the speed will be less under full loads,
particularly with the water ballast. Where did you read or hear that
MacGregor claimed the boat would make 25 mph with four adults, or with
water ballast? Again, honesty, rationality? - Or would being honest
take away all the fun?

Jim

Jim