Well there you go. You have the perfect boat for the
perfect storm. I say leave now. By the time you get
there, it'll be Winter.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"Jim Cate" wrote in message
...


Jonathan Ganz wrote:

Yup. Now MacBoy has an unbiased opinion of a Mac ower turned
Hunter owner, who is definitely moving in the right direction.
So now MacBoy can *immediately* go sailing out on the ocean in
40kts wind. We'll all be waiting for your return... NOT.

I'm assuming that he was referring to the 26M model (the new boat?),
although it's not completely clear. As I understand the note, Ed didn't
actually sail the "new boat." So it's not really a very comprehensive
report, is it Johnathan?

By contrast, I happened to have had an extended discussion of the 26M
with an owner yesterday WHO HAD SAILED THE BOAT, under high wind and low
wind conditions. He was very pleased with its handling, and in contrast
with Ed, he thought the looks and interior of the boat were spectacular,
particularly for a boat in this price range. One thing I notice from
comments posted on the Mac discussion groups is that owners of the new
model like the new boat, whereas owners of the previous (26X) model
defend their own boats and pick fault with the new model, despite the
fact that few of them have ever sailed one. And since there are many
more owners of the 26X than owners of the 26M, the X owners are
predominate.

Jim

On 13 Apr 2004 01:47:38 GMT, topspam (EdGordonRN)
wrote:

We bought the boat, we sailed it some, and before the stock market crashed in
2000 we sold it--thank God, or we never would have gotten out from under it.

I don't really have any complaints except that we over did it with the engine.
We got the 50 hp on it, and that's just stupid. But it still sailed very well.
The steering, however, is not trustworthy, or at least I didn't trust it.
Nevertheless, it did get us through squalls. I saw a new Mac at a boat show
recently, and I couldn't believe how they ruined it. The layout sucks and the
materials just keep getting cheaper and cheaper. Everything seemed cheaper on
it, more flimsy. And they still put it on a single axle trailer!

The Veridican

Well, according to the website they upgraded the carpet in the new
version. Are you sure you were looking at the new Mac? According to
Jim, they are so different that they may be hard to recognize Among
other improvements, they also claim to have more "windows". Perhaps
they permit a better view of the "porch"

Well, according to the website they upgraded the carpet in the new
version. Are you sure you were looking at the new Mac? According to
Jim, they are so different that they may be hard to recognize Among
other improvements, they also claim to have more "windows". Perhaps
they permit a better view of the "porch"


Maybe they did, and I think there may have been more window space. Don't get me
wrong: If someone were to give me a Mac, right now, I'd sail it.

I used to be all worried about whether a Mac was "Sea" worthy, until I moved to
the coast and realized that the "sea" is no big deal and in fact is easier to
sail on in many respects.

Obviously, I'm not going sailing in a storm or 40 knot winds. No body does
that, not in any boat. People sometimes get caught in that, but no one chooses
to go there just because they have a "strong" boat.

Would a Mac (even the new Mac) break a mast in 40 knot winds? No, not if the
sails were tied down like they should be on any boat in that condition.

The Veridican

I'm not going sailing in a storm or 40 knot winds. No body does
that, not in any boat.

I have sailed in 40+ knots upwind. Most every sailor I know has as well. no
big deal, in a SAILboat.

I have sailed in 40+ knots upwind. Most every sailor I know has as well. no
big deal, in a SAILboat.


You've sailed close hauled in 46 mph winds? BS., and don't act like every
sailor you know has done the same. I think like you, every sailor you know has
"said" they've sailed in 40 knot winds close hauled.

The Veridican

You've sailed close hauled in 46 mph winds?

yes.

BS., and don't act like every
sailor you know has done the same.

maybe I know a different class of sailors.

I think like you, every sailor you know has
"said" they've sailed in 40 knot winds close hauled.

no big thing, really.

"JAXAshby" wrote

I have sailed in 40+ knots upwind with bare poles.
Most every sailor I know has as well.
no big deal, in a Sunfish.

Most every sailor I know has as well.
no big deal, in a Sunfish.

I've seen teenage girls out on Sunfish in 25+ knots. Always amazed me.

"Veridican" wrote in message

Obviously, I'm not going sailing in a storm or 40 knot winds. No body does
that, not in any boat. People sometimes get caught in that, but no one chooses
to go there just because they have a "strong" boat.

Would a Mac (even the new Mac) break a mast in 40 knot winds? No, not if the
sails were tied down like they should be on any boat in that condition.


I'll admit I don't leave the dock when its blowing 40, but I've been out a
number of times in 35+ and forged onward with double reefed sails. Our last
trip back from Cape Cod was in 35 konts; I remember a downwind trip from
Gloucestor to Boston with gusts measured at 42 knots; every year or so we'll
have a day predicted for 25 knots that comes in a bit heavier. There's no
reason why a proper boat shouldn't be able to handle 40 knots. Frankly, I enjoy
it as long as nothing breaks.

"Jeff Morris" wrote

I'll admit I don't leave the dock when its blowing 40, but I've been out a
number of times in 35+ and forged onward with double reefed sails.

Same here, cept I only have one reef in the main.


Scotty