Scout,

Dog and I watched a 26M go out of the Harbor the other day, Temp 74.
wind about 12 knots. It didn't even have a boom on. Owner wasn't even
pretending to be a wind jokey

He was the only power boat on the Bay though. He had his Mast up and
rigged.
Don't know if he had the boom & sail below? That cabin on the 26M is
probably big enough to hold that.

The wind was blowing out of the South, right on his nose. He may have
been motoring out to get some good, easy sailing. I was thinking that a
26M is exactly the right boat to do that but not rigging the Boom on the
Hard made me doubt it. Didn't hang around to see.




http://community.webtv.net/tassail/ThomPage

What happened Scout, I thought you were going to get a
*real* sailboat and move to the Ches. Bay?

S c o t t y



"Scout" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac 26M?

In my unending search for the right boat, this boat appears
to have many features of interest. I understand that the
sailing performance is compromised to gain in other areas,
but if speed is not my thing, why should I care?

If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat in
that size range (abt 25') can do better?

Scout

Scotty,
If I get something I can trailer easily but big enough to spend a week or so
on, I can do both the Chesapeake and Jersey Shore, they are close enough to
being equidistant from my home. The only thing I'm sure of is that I'll have
another boat. It might be something with a beam of more than 8', and if so,
it'll be in a slip in the Ches area.
Believe it or not we're still unpacking boxes from the move last summer.
It's been a wild ride, between that, and the other things going on here,
which you know about.
I still have the bike though, and actually I've fallen in love with it again
since moving out here. Every road has a New Hope feel to it. The ride to
work is awesome with lots of twisting, hilly roads to keep it exciting.
Beats the heck out of the PA turnpike! We should hook up for a ride or a
beer or both before the summer is over. I ride out your way all the time
now, it's a beautiful area. I road to Lancaster a few times this summer. Got
a punctured read tire but made it home with air to spare. Next time I'll
remember to put the patch kit in my saddle bag.
Scout

"Scotty" wrote in message
...
What happened Scout, I thought you were going to get a
*real* sailboat and move to the Ches. Bay?

S c o t t y



"Scout" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac 26M?

In my unending search for the right boat, this boat appears
to have many features of interest. I understand that the
sailing performance is compromised to gain in other areas,
but if speed is not my thing, why should I care?

If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat in
that size range (abt 25') can do better?

Scout

Trailer sailors sure do have their advantages. The best part
was having the boat here at home, safe and convenient for
maintenance stuff. I took my Mac to a few lakes, but after
sailing the bay I never went anywhere else but. It just
got too small for me.
We had a great ride on the 6th, after Ephrata. back roads
down though MD. They paved a few roads around here this
Summer, Sweet! nothing like a newly paved, curvy back road.
Plus I put some new sport tires on.

Patches? Your bike doesn't have tubes.....does it?

Scotty





"Scout" wrote in message
. ..
Scotty,
If I get something I can trailer easily but big enough to
spend a week or so
on, I can do both the Chesapeake and Jersey Shore, they
are close enough to
being equidistant from my home. The only thing I'm sure of
is that I'll have
another boat. It might be something with a beam of more
than 8', and if so,
it'll be in a slip in the Ches area.
Believe it or not we're still unpacking boxes from the
move last summer.
It's been a wild ride, between that, and the other things
going on here,
which you know about.
I still have the bike though, and actually I've fallen in
love with it again
since moving out here. Every road has a New Hope feel to
it. The ride to
work is awesome with lots of twisting, hilly roads to keep
it exciting.
Beats the heck out of the PA turnpike! We should hook up
for a ride or a
beer or both before the summer is over. I ride out your
way all the time
now, it's a beautiful area. I road to Lancaster a few
times this summer. Got
a punctured read tire but made it home with air to spare.
Next time I'll
remember to put the patch kit in my saddle bag.
Scout

"Scotty" wrote in message
...
What happened Scout, I thought you were going to get a
*real* sailboat and move to the Ches. Bay?

S c o t t y



"Scout" wrote in message
...
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac 26M?

In my unending search for the right boat, this boat
appears
to have many features of interest. I understand that the
sailing performance is compromised to gain in other
areas,
but if speed is not my thing, why should I care?

If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat in
that size range (abt 25') can do better?

Scout

It just got too small for me.

The guy I bought my Mac from... came to the same conclusion.
He and his family enjoyed it for a year or so then decided to
upgrade to a Pearson 365.

At this stage of my life I am by myself and a solo sailor. So
the limited space thing does not pose a problem. For me it's
a one man boat and when I sail off the coast... hope that my
maritime VHF transceiver and Cat 2 EPIRB are in good working
order. (smile)

And "CM" said it like it is concerning the foredeck area. When
I'm out at sea... the cockpit or below deck is the only onboard
environment that I feel secure about while under way.

Bill

Scout,

I have a 26M purchased in 2004, and I do like the boat. - It has a
number of features that make it a good choice for the sailing I do in
the Houston-Galveston area. Whether it would be the best choice for you
may depend on what kind if sailing you expect to do. As you can easily
see from the Mac discussion group Bill mentioned
(http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/), lots of Mac owners use their boats
for coastal cruising, for trips from California to Catalina island,
sailing the Keys, etc.

Because it is designed to motor and plane, and because it has a
water-ballasted hull, the Mac doesn't perform under sail as well as a
larger, heavier boat with longer waterline, weighted keel, etc. It's
relatively light (around 4,000 pounds loaded and with water ballast),
and its hull is something of a compromise (semi-V bottom). - I bought
ours after sailing a number of larger, heavier boats, so I'm aware that
the Mac isn't the kind of boat you would choose if you expect to make
extended, open-sea voyages. (For one thing, it doesn't have the storage
capacity needed for provisions for such cruises.) So if you expect to
spend lots of time cruising offshore or sailing in heavy weather, you
might want to look at a larger, heavier boat. Hunter and Catalina also
make boats somewhat similar to the Mac. As you probably know, there
are lots of used boats of various makes, designs and conditions on the
market.

On the plus side, the Mac 26M is just plain fun to sail. It's the most
popular sailboat of its size, with thousands of owners in the US and
foreign countries. As you probably know, the Mac doesn't require a slip
(no slip fees or bottom treatments), it's easy to launch, roomy,
versatile, can maneuver in shallow water (they float in one foot of
water), safe (how many other boats discussed on this ng have flotation
that keeps the boat afloat even if the hull is broken open below the
waterline?), etc. The motor permits me to motor out to a desired sailing
area at 15mph+ and to motor back quickly at the end of the day or if bad
weather comes up, so I'm able to get in more time sailing when and where
I want to sail, and I'm able to avoid problems that would otherwise keep
me from enjoying the day.

There is one major disadvantage to owning a Mac 26M, however. - They
aren't a conventional boat, they cost much less than most, and you will
be subject to some pretty sarcastic ridicule by owners of larger,
conventional boats. Your original note asked if anyone on the ng had any
actual experience on the Mac 26M. - You got a number of responses,
mostly negative, but only one of them (Bill's) was from someone with
actual experience on the the 26M, and he seemed to like his. This is
fairly typical.

In any event, look around at all the options and sail as many different
boats as you can.

Jim




Scout wrote:
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac 26M?

In my unending search for the right boat, this boat appears to have many
features of interest. I understand that the sailing performance is
compromised to gain in other areas, but if speed is not my thing, why
should I care?

If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat in that size range
(abt 25') can do better?

Scout

Well, despite what may happen, I would not recommend taking a Mac-anything
on the ocean unless I was darn certain the conditions were going to be
benign. I've seen them on the SF bay, and this is pushing the limit on them
in my view.

So begins the long arguments from Jim. :-)

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

"JimC" wrote in message
om...
Scout,

I have a 26M purchased in 2004, and I do like the boat. - It has a number
of features that make it a good choice for the sailing I do in the
Houston-Galveston area. Whether it would be the best choice for you may
depend on what kind if sailing you expect to do. As you can easily see
from the Mac discussion group Bill mentioned
(http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/), lots of Mac owners use their boats
for coastal cruising, for trips from California to Catalina island,
sailing the Keys, etc.

Because it is designed to motor and plane, and because it has a
water-ballasted hull, the Mac doesn't perform under sail as well as a
larger, heavier boat with longer waterline, weighted keel, etc. It's
relatively light (around 4,000 pounds loaded and with water ballast), and
its hull is something of a compromise (semi-V bottom). - I bought ours
after sailing a number of larger, heavier boats, so I'm aware that the Mac
isn't the kind of boat you would choose if you expect to make extended,
open-sea voyages. (For one thing, it doesn't have the storage capacity
needed for provisions for such cruises.) So if you expect to spend lots
of time cruising offshore or sailing in heavy weather, you might want to
look at a larger, heavier boat. Hunter and Catalina also make boats
somewhat similar to the Mac. As you probably know, there are lots of
used boats of various makes, designs and conditions on the market.

On the plus side, the Mac 26M is just plain fun to sail. It's the most
popular sailboat of its size, with thousands of owners in the US and
foreign countries. As you probably know, the Mac doesn't require a slip
(no slip fees or bottom treatments), it's easy to launch, roomy,
versatile, can maneuver in shallow water (they float in one foot of
water), safe (how many other boats discussed on this ng have flotation
that keeps the boat afloat even if the hull is broken open below the
waterline?), etc. The motor permits me to motor out to a desired sailing
area at 15mph+ and to motor back quickly at the end of the day or if bad
weather comes up, so I'm able to get in more time sailing when and where I
want to sail, and I'm able to avoid problems that would otherwise keep me
from enjoying the day.

There is one major disadvantage to owning a Mac 26M, however. - They
aren't a conventional boat, they cost much less than most, and you will be
subject to some pretty sarcastic ridicule by owners of larger,
conventional boats. Your original note asked if anyone on the ng had any
actual experience on the Mac 26M. - You got a number of responses, mostly
negative, but only one of them (Bill's) was from someone with actual
experience on the the 26M, and he seemed to like his. This is fairly
typical.

In any event, look around at all the options and sail as many different
boats as you can.

Jim




Scout wrote:
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac 26M?
In my unending search for the right boat, this boat appears to have many
features of interest. I understand that the sailing performance is
compromised to gain in other areas, but if speed is not my thing, why
should I care?
If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat in that size range
(abt 25') can do better?
Scout

Thanks Jim,
I appreciate your input.
The 26M is not out of the running, and I'm going to be visiting a dealer
within the next few weeks to have a look at one up close. I'm looking at
quite a few others too. For instance, I'm looking at Jim Taylor's boats
(Precision) because I've owned one and loved almost everything about it
(just needed it to be bigger).
In the end, I'll most likely see something I hadn't figured on and just
buy the damn thing. I have a history of doing elaborate research and then
buying on instinct. Some times it works out for the best, some times it
doesn't.
Scout

"JimC" wrote in message
om...
Scout,

I have a 26M purchased in 2004, and I do like the boat. - It has a number
of features that make it a good choice for the sailing I do in the
Houston-Galveston area. Whether it would be the best choice for you may
depend on what kind if sailing you expect to do. As you can easily see
from the Mac discussion group Bill mentioned
(http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/), lots of Mac owners use their boats
for coastal cruising, for trips from California to Catalina island,
sailing the Keys, etc.

Because it is designed to motor and plane, and because it has a
water-ballasted hull, the Mac doesn't perform under sail as well as a
larger, heavier boat with longer waterline, weighted keel, etc. It's
relatively light (around 4,000 pounds loaded and with water ballast), and
its hull is something of a compromise (semi-V bottom). - I bought ours
after sailing a number of larger, heavier boats, so I'm aware that the Mac
isn't the kind of boat you would choose if you expect to make extended,
open-sea voyages. (For one thing, it doesn't have the storage capacity
needed for provisions for such cruises.) So if you expect to spend lots
of time cruising offshore or sailing in heavy weather, you might want to
look at a larger, heavier boat. Hunter and Catalina also make boats
somewhat similar to the Mac. As you probably know, there are lots of
used boats of various makes, designs and conditions on the market.

On the plus side, the Mac 26M is just plain fun to sail. It's the most
popular sailboat of its size, with thousands of owners in the US and
foreign countries. As you probably know, the Mac doesn't require a slip
(no slip fees or bottom treatments), it's easy to launch, roomy,
versatile, can maneuver in shallow water (they float in one foot of
water), safe (how many other boats discussed on this ng have flotation
that keeps the boat afloat even if the hull is broken open below the
waterline?), etc. The motor permits me to motor out to a desired sailing
area at 15mph+ and to motor back quickly at the end of the day or if bad
weather comes up, so I'm able to get in more time sailing when and where I
want to sail, and I'm able to avoid problems that would otherwise keep me
from enjoying the day.

There is one major disadvantage to owning a Mac 26M, however. - They
aren't a conventional boat, they cost much less than most, and you will be
subject to some pretty sarcastic ridicule by owners of larger,
conventional boats. Your original note asked if anyone on the ng had any
actual experience on the Mac 26M. - You got a number of responses, mostly
negative, but only one of them (Bill's) was from someone with actual
experience on the the 26M, and he seemed to like his. This is fairly
typical.

In any event, look around at all the options and sail as many different
boats as you can.

Jim




Scout wrote:
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac 26M?
In my unending search for the right boat, this boat appears to have many
features of interest. I understand that the sailing performance is
compromised to gain in other areas, but if speed is not my thing, why
should I care?
If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat in that size range
(abt 25') can do better?
Scout

Some things I don't like about the Mac is the very high
freeboard, combined with the light weight of the boat, can
really get pushed around in a cross wind.
The 'quirky' powerboat look, although the blue hull does
help a bit.
The small powerboat steering wheel.

The cabin is nice and very big for a 26' trailerable. I
believe the owners berth is 7'7'' long ( bigger than a Bendy
35.5.5) The cockpit is bigger, too.

Scotty



"Scout" wrote in message
...
Thanks Jim,
I appreciate your input.
The 26M is not out of the running, and I'm going to be
visiting a dealer
within the next few weeks to have a look at one up close.
I'm looking at
quite a few others too. For instance, I'm looking at Jim
Taylor's boats
(Precision) because I've owned one and loved almost
everything about it
(just needed it to be bigger).
In the end, I'll most likely see something I hadn't
figured on and just
buy the damn thing. I have a history of doing elaborate
research and then
buying on instinct. Some times it works out for the
best, some times it
doesn't.
Scout

"JimC" wrote in message
om...
Scout,

I have a 26M purchased in 2004, and I do like the
boat. - It has a number
of features that make it a good choice for the sailing I
do in the
Houston-Galveston area. Whether it would be the best
choice for you may
depend on what kind if sailing you expect to do. As you
can easily see
from the Mac discussion group Bill mentioned
(http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/), lots of Mac owners
use their boats
for coastal cruising, for trips from California to
Catalina island,
sailing the Keys, etc.

Because it is designed to motor and plane, and because
it has a
water-ballasted hull, the Mac doesn't perform under sail
as well as a
larger, heavier boat with longer waterline, weighted
keel, etc. It's
relatively light (around 4,000 pounds loaded and with
water ballast), and
its hull is something of a compromise (semi-V bottom). -
I bought ours
after sailing a number of larger, heavier boats, so I'm
aware that the Mac
isn't the kind of boat you would choose if you expect to
make extended,
open-sea voyages. (For one thing, it doesn't have the
storage capacity
needed for provisions for such cruises.) So if you
expect to spend lots
of time cruising offshore or sailing in heavy weather,
you might want to
look at a larger, heavier boat. Hunter and Catalina
also make boats
somewhat similar to the Mac. As you probably know,
there are lots of
used boats of various makes, designs and conditions on
the market.

On the plus side, the Mac 26M is just plain fun to sail.
It's the most
popular sailboat of its size, with thousands of owners
in the US and
foreign countries. As you probably know, the Mac doesn't
require a slip
(no slip fees or bottom treatments), it's easy to
launch, roomy,
versatile, can maneuver in shallow water (they float in
one foot of
water), safe (how many other boats discussed on this ng
have flotation
that keeps the boat afloat even if the hull is broken
open below the
waterline?), etc. The motor permits me to motor out to a
desired sailing
area at 15mph+ and to motor back quickly at the end of
the day or if bad
weather comes up, so I'm able to get in more time
sailing when and where I
want to sail, and I'm able to avoid problems that would
otherwise keep me
from enjoying the day.

There is one major disadvantage to owning a Mac 26M,
however. - They
aren't a conventional boat, they cost much less than
most, and you will be
subject to some pretty sarcastic ridicule by owners of
larger,
conventional boats. Your original note asked if anyone
on the ng had any
actual experience on the Mac 26M. - You got a number of
responses, mostly
negative, but only one of them (Bill's) was from someone
with actual
experience on the the 26M, and he seemed to like his.
This is fairly
typical.

In any event, look around at all the options and sail as
many different
boats as you can.

Jim




Scout wrote:
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac
26M?
In my unending search for the right boat, this boat
appears to have many
features of interest. I understand that the sailing
performance is
compromised to gain in other areas, but if speed is not
my thing, why
should I care?
If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat
in that size range
(abt 25') can do better?
Scout

Thanks to all for the posts. I drove 5 hours round trip yesterday to see the
Mac26 first hand. For a number of reasons, it's not the boat for me. I think
it will do almost everything they say it will do, it just isn't big enough
for me. I like lots of things about it, but...

One thing I wish sales people would avoid is making a statement like "full
standing head room" when it would be far better to say what that head room
actually is. I was very disappointed by how much I had to bend over in a
cabin with "full standing head room," quoted per the Mac literature. Since
they chose to direct their comments to a shorter sailor, I took it to mean
they don't want me to buy this boat.

It also had a very flimsy feel to it. The hardware looked too fragile and I
could see things breaking, tearing, splitting, and sheering off. Again, if I
weighed 140 instead of 240, it might be ok.

I loved the look of the shoalsailer
http://www.shannonyachts.com/default.aspx?id=6 but it's out of range -
moneywise.
Oh well, back to the drawing board.
Scout


"Scotty" wrote in message
news
Some things I don't like about the Mac is the very high
freeboard, combined with the light weight of the boat, can
really get pushed around in a cross wind.
The 'quirky' powerboat look, although the blue hull does
help a bit.
The small powerboat steering wheel.

The cabin is nice and very big for a 26' trailerable. I
believe the owners berth is 7'7'' long ( bigger than a Bendy
35.5.5) The cockpit is bigger, too.

Scotty



"Scout" wrote in message
...
Thanks Jim,
I appreciate your input.
The 26M is not out of the running, and I'm going to be
visiting a dealer
within the next few weeks to have a look at one up close.
I'm looking at
quite a few others too. For instance, I'm looking at Jim
Taylor's boats
(Precision) because I've owned one and loved almost
everything about it
(just needed it to be bigger).
In the end, I'll most likely see something I hadn't
figured on and just
buy the damn thing. I have a history of doing elaborate
research and then
buying on instinct. Some times it works out for the
best, some times it
doesn't.
Scout

"JimC" wrote in message
om...
Scout,

I have a 26M purchased in 2004, and I do like the
boat. - It has a number
of features that make it a good choice for the sailing I
do in the
Houston-Galveston area. Whether it would be the best
choice for you may
depend on what kind if sailing you expect to do. As you
can easily see
from the Mac discussion group Bill mentioned
(http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/), lots of Mac owners
use their boats
for coastal cruising, for trips from California to
Catalina island,
sailing the Keys, etc.

Because it is designed to motor and plane, and because
it has a
water-ballasted hull, the Mac doesn't perform under sail
as well as a
larger, heavier boat with longer waterline, weighted
keel, etc. It's
relatively light (around 4,000 pounds loaded and with
water ballast), and
its hull is something of a compromise (semi-V bottom). -
I bought ours
after sailing a number of larger, heavier boats, so I'm
aware that the Mac
isn't the kind of boat you would choose if you expect to
make extended,
open-sea voyages. (For one thing, it doesn't have the
storage capacity
needed for provisions for such cruises.) So if you
expect to spend lots
of time cruising offshore or sailing in heavy weather,
you might want to
look at a larger, heavier boat. Hunter and Catalina
also make boats
somewhat similar to the Mac. As you probably know,
there are lots of
used boats of various makes, designs and conditions on
the market.

On the plus side, the Mac 26M is just plain fun to sail.
It's the most
popular sailboat of its size, with thousands of owners
in the US and
foreign countries. As you probably know, the Mac doesn't
require a slip
(no slip fees or bottom treatments), it's easy to
launch, roomy,
versatile, can maneuver in shallow water (they float in
one foot of
water), safe (how many other boats discussed on this ng
have flotation
that keeps the boat afloat even if the hull is broken
open below the
waterline?), etc. The motor permits me to motor out to a
desired sailing
area at 15mph+ and to motor back quickly at the end of
the day or if bad
weather comes up, so I'm able to get in more time
sailing when and where I
want to sail, and I'm able to avoid problems that would
otherwise keep me
from enjoying the day.

There is one major disadvantage to owning a Mac 26M,
however. - They
aren't a conventional boat, they cost much less than
most, and you will be
subject to some pretty sarcastic ridicule by owners of
larger,
conventional boats. Your original note asked if anyone
on the ng had any
actual experience on the Mac 26M. - You got a number of
responses, mostly
negative, but only one of them (Bill's) was from someone
with actual
experience on the the 26M, and he seemed to like his.
This is fairly
typical.

In any event, look around at all the options and sail as
many different
boats as you can.

Jim




Scout wrote:
Does anyone have any actual experience with the Mac
26M?
In my unending search for the right boat, this boat
appears to have many
features of interest. I understand that the sailing
performance is
compromised to gain in other areas, but if speed is not
my thing, why
should I care?
If the 26M is a poor boat, that what trailerable boat
in that size range
(abt 25') can do better?
Scout