Jim suggested:
In that case, all you have to do is to press the "down arrow"
(on the lower right side of your keyboard), and you can quickly
pass by my notes and move on to another topic

That is not with in the spirit of this ng. we all read every single word
posted here because it is our duty to siphon and funnel the miscreants into
some semblance of acceptance. You have already admitted your transgression
of buying a Mac, have promised to stop whining, and have indicated you're
going to start sailing, so we've had some positive effect on you. You had
purchased the sad piece of fiberglass before we could do anything about it,
but oh, well...at least the money goes into the US economy...
--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

katysails wrote:

Jim suggested:
In that case, all you have to do is to press the "down arrow"
(on the lower right side of your keyboard), and you can quickly
pass by my notes and move on to another topic

That is not with in the spirit of this ng. we all read every single word
posted here because it is our duty to siphon and funnel the miscreants into
some semblance of acceptance. You have already admitted your transgression
of buying a Mac, have promised to stop whining, and have indicated you're
going to start sailing, so we've had some positive effect on you. You had
purchased the sad piece of fiberglass before we could do anything about it,


This isn't what happened at all. I posted my questions several times on
this an on the cruising ng and scanned the reponses for over a month
hoping to get some factual or substantive information regarding the 26M.
It was only after weeks of "Mac bashings" from contributors who, for
the most part, had never even seen the 26M, much less sailed her, that I
concluded that the Mac-Bashers were actually the ones with the problems,
not the answers.

but oh, well...at least the money goes into the US economy...

Yes, at least the California economy will benefit.



Jim

Jim admitted buying his boat " only after weeks of "Mac bashings" My, what
great criteria for buying a boat.
--
katysails
s/v Chanteuse
Kirie Elite 32
http://katysails.tripod.com

"Women and cats will do as they please, and men and dogs should relax
and get used to the idea." - Robert A. Heinlein

Jim Cate wrote:

This isn't what happened at all. I posted my questions several times
on this an on the cruising ng and scanned the reponses for over a
month hoping to get some factual or substantive information regarding
the 26M. It was only after weeks of "Mac bashings" ...

What, you came into a sailing newsgroup to enquire about about a boat you
knew little about, it's gets slagged off something rotten for a month...

....and then you go and *buy* one?

Nobody is that stupid.


--
Wally
www.artbywally.com
www.wally.myby.co.uk/music

Wally wrote:

Jim Cate wrote:


This isn't what happened at all. I posted my questions several times
on this an on the cruising ng and scanned the reponses for over a
month hoping to get some factual or substantive information regarding
the 26M. It was only after weeks of "Mac bashings" ...


What, you came into a sailing newsgroup to enquire about about a boat you
knew little about, it's gets slagged off something rotten for a month...

...and then you go and *buy* one?

Nobody is that stupid.

You have it bass-ass backwards, Wally. I came onto this newsgroups
hoping to get some substantive, factual information. Instead, I found
out that most of the Mac-bashers have never sailed the current Mac 26,
and don't know what the hell they are talking about, yet despite this,
don't hesitate to pontificate and sneer and try to intimidate anyone who
likes the boat. This reveals to me that the Mac-bashers are either: (1)
stupid (2) incapable of rational thought, or (3) liar. In any event, it
put my mind at ease with respect to what I thought might be some
problems with the Mac, other than its inherent limitations that I
already knew. Thus, my decision was simplified, and I proceeded to
place my order. Because they are substantially sold out for the rest of
the summer, I'll be one of the fortunate few who will be able to take
delivery of this spectacular and innovated boat this season.

Jim

On Wed, 07 Apr 2004 21:01:44 -0500, Jim Cate wrote:



Wally wrote:

Jim Cate wrote:


This isn't what happened at all. I posted my questions several times
on this an on the cruising ng and scanned the reponses for over a
month hoping to get some factual or substantive information regarding
the 26M. It was only after weeks of "Mac bashings" ...


What, you came into a sailing newsgroup to enquire about about a boat you
knew little about, it's gets slagged off something rotten for a month...

...and then you go and *buy* one?

Nobody is that stupid.

You have it bass-ass backwards, Wally. I came onto this newsgroups
hoping to get some substantive, factual information. Instead, I found
out that most of the Mac-bashers have never sailed the current Mac 26,
and don't know what the hell they are talking about, yet despite this,
don't hesitate to pontificate and sneer and try to intimidate anyone who
likes the boat. This reveals to me that the Mac-bashers are either: (1)
stupid (2) incapable of rational thought, or (3) liar. In any event, it
put my mind at ease with respect to what I thought might be some
problems with the Mac, other than its inherent limitations that I
already knew. Thus, my decision was simplified, and I proceeded to
place my order. Because they are substantially sold out for the rest of
the summer, I'll be one of the fortunate few who will be able to take
delivery of this spectacular and innovated boat this season.

Jim


Do you really believe that the "new" Mac 26 is some night and day
different boat than the "old" Mac 26? P.T. Barnum was right.

felton wrote:

On Wed, 07 Apr 2004 21:01:44 -0500, Jim Cate wrote:



Wally wrote:


Jim Cate wrote:



This isn't what happened at all. I posted my questions several times
on this an on the cruising ng and scanned the reponses for over a
month hoping to get some factual or substantive information regarding
the 26M. It was only after weeks of "Mac bashings" ...


What, you came into a sailing newsgroup to enquire about about a boat you
knew little about, it's gets slagged off something rotten for a month...

...and then you go and *buy* one?

Nobody is that stupid.


You have it bass-ass backwards, Wally. I came onto this newsgroups
hoping to get some substantive, factual information. Instead, I found
out that most of the Mac-bashers have never sailed the current Mac 26,
and don't know what the hell they are talking about, yet despite this,
don't hesitate to pontificate and sneer and try to intimidate anyone who
likes the boat. This reveals to me that the Mac-bashers are either: (1)
stupid (2) incapable of rational thought, or (3) liar. In any event, it
put my mind at ease with respect to what I thought might be some
problems with the Mac, other than its inherent limitations that I
already knew. Thus, my decision was simplified, and I proceeded to
place my order. Because they are substantially sold out for the rest of
the summer, I'll be one of the fortunate few who will be able to take
delivery of this spectacular and innovated boat this season.

Jim



Do you really believe that the "new" Mac 26 is some night and day
different boat than the "old" Mac 26? P.T. Barnum was right.

Have you taken the time to check out the changes made in the 26M,
Felton? Do you know anything about the hull design, the changes in the
mast, the sails, etc. No? Then you're the one who doesn't know what the
hell he is talking about, not me.

Jim

In article , Jim Cate
wrote:

Wally wrote:

Jim Cate wrote:


This isn't what happened at all. I posted my questions several times
on this an on the cruising ng and scanned the reponses for over a
month hoping to get some factual or substantive information regarding
the 26M. It was only after weeks of "Mac bashings" ...


What, you came into a sailing newsgroup to enquire about about a boat you
knew little about, it's gets slagged off something rotten for a month...

...and then you go and *buy* one?

Nobody is that stupid.

You have it bass-ass backwards, Wally. I came onto this newsgroups
hoping to get some substantive, factual information. Instead, I found
out that most of the Mac-bashers have never sailed the current Mac 26,
and don't know what the hell they are talking about,

Ah, there's a telling point. Jim thinks that the only thing that counts
is direct, personal experience.

I guess he would have stuck his head in an oven to see how hot it was.
That explains a lot.

PDW

Jim Cate wrote:

You have it bass-ass backwards, Wally.

In all honesty, and with due respect, I think you have.


I came onto this newsgroups
hoping to get some substantive, factual information.

Would I be correct in assuming that you were looking for said information to
aid you in your purchasing decision?


Instead, I found
out that most of the Mac-bashers have never sailed the current Mac 26,
and don't know what the hell they are talking about, yet despite this,
don't hesitate to pontificate and sneer and try to intimidate anyone
who likes the boat. This reveals to me that the Mac-bashers are
either: (1) stupid (2) incapable of rational thought, or (3) liar.

Frankly, I think "intimidate" is a bit strong. This *is* a newsgroup, after
all. If you know anything about usenet, you'll know that conversation is
often robust to say the least.


In any event, it put my mind at ease with respect to what I thought
might be some problems with the Mac, other than its inherent
limitations that I already knew. Thus, my decision was simplified,
and I proceeded to place my order.

What probelms in partcular were you concerned about, and how could those
concerns be put at ease when all you've had is negative comments?


... Because they are substantially
sold out for the rest of the summer, I'll be one of the fortunate few
who will be able to take delivery of this spectacular and innovated
boat this season.

What is spectacular and innovative about it?


--
Wally
www.artbywally.com
www.wally.myby.co.uk/music

Wally wrote:

Jim Cate wrote:


You have it bass-ass backwards, Wally.


In all honesty, and with due respect, I think you have.



I came onto this newsgroups
hoping to get some substantive, factual information.


Would I be correct in assuming that you were looking for said information to
aid you in your purchasing decision?



Instead, I found
out that most of the Mac-bashers have never sailed the current Mac 26,
and don't know what the hell they are talking about, yet despite this,
don't hesitate to pontificate and sneer and try to intimidate anyone
who likes the boat. This reveals to me that the Mac-bashers are
either: (1) stupid (2) incapable of rational thought, or (3) liar.


Frankly, I think "intimidate" is a bit strong. This *is* a newsgroup, after
all. If you know anything about usenet, you'll know that conversation is
often robust to say the least.



In any event, it put my mind at ease with respect to what I thought
might be some problems with the Mac, other than its inherent
limitations that I already knew. Thus, my decision was simplified,
and I proceeded to place my order.


What probelms in partcular were you concerned about, and how could those
concerns be put at ease when all you've had is negative comments?



... Because they are substantially
sold out for the rest of the summer, I'll be one of the fortunate few
who will be able to take delivery of this spectacular and innovated
boat this season.


I was hoping to get some reports from contributors who had actually
sailed the 26M (not the previous models), or who had spoken with
experienced sailors who had sailed the boat. No one on this ng had
sailed the boat, and few had spoken with anyone who had. If someone on
the ng had actually sailed the boat, his or her report regarding how the
boat handled under varying conditions would have been helpful.

Regarding your question about what is spectacular and innovative about
the boat, I have previously discussed the advantages and improvements at
length. If I'm correct, the Mac 26 is the most popular cruising sailboat
on the market, by far. Incremental improvements have been made in the
last two models, and further improvements are incorporated in the new
26M. Advantages of the 26 water ballast sailboat in general include the
fact that the boat addresses the "time factor." As previously discussed
several times, if one owns a fine, 36-foot displacement boat that is
capable of blue water crossings, etc., but which one doesn't have TIME
to sail, then the advantages of the boat don't serve you very well. (Of
course, you can always boast that your boat COULD SAIL ANYWHERE YOU
WANTED TO (if you had time). In the case of the Mac, the ability to
motor out to a desired sailing or fishing or swimming area at 15 knots,
or, alternatively, the ability to motor the boat down to another sailing
are at 65 mph, can change the "COULD SAIL" to a "DID SAIL". In other
words, unless one is retired or has lots of leisure time, the ability to
get to where you want to go, using the power and/or trailoring
capabilities of the Mac 26, can permit you to actually sail in a desired
area, not just talk about it.

With respect to what changes have been incorporated in the 26M, these
have also been discussed several times in previous notes. They include
the addition of permanent ballast, for added safety when motoring or
sailing without the water ballast; the substantial changes to the hull,
which has a new deep V configuration for smoothing out the boat's
performance in heavy chop, the elimination of the pivotal keel, and the
200-gallon slot previously required to receive the pivotal keel (now
replaced by a more narrow, deep dagger board), additional fiber glass
and roving in the hull, etc.; substantially taller mast and rigging,
rotatable mast, etc., etc.

In essence, the 26M provides the advantages from the several previous
models of water ballast power sailboats, plus the advantages of "lessons
learned" over the past eight years of production.

Jim



What is spectacular and innovative about it?