Dene wrote:

wrote in message
ups.com...

The thread about crossing the atlantic in a Mac 26 was getting too long
and isnt really interesting. HOWEVER, to say that a Mac 26 sails poorly
means little as so do other "real" sailboats like the entire Morgan
Outisland series. Remember the Westsail, Practical Sailor called it
the "Wet Snail" . As far as the Dawson 26 mentioned as an ocean
crosser in the other thread, PS called it the "Doghouse 26". So,
ultimate sailing ability may mean little.
Consider that most coastal cruiosers report spending about 70% of their
time motoring and you might get a different perspective on the Mac26.
You might consider it to be a motorboat with the ability to sail.
Unlike most motorboats, this one has the safety factor of being able to
sail home. Does this make it safer than the average motorboat used for
cruising?
Do the properties of the Mac26 allow its owners to go more places than
most other sailboats.......probably. Is the Mac26 safe enough compared
to most other motorboats to allow its owner to safely cruise over to
the Bahamas under power? Consider that its speed under power may allow
it to use narrow weather windows that other sailboats could not or that
time spent at sea might sdetermine your probability of getting caught
out in bad weatrher and maybe the Mac26 speed under power gives it an
edge in safety.
I do not see the Mac 26 as an ocean crosser but as a way for people to
sail in many places. True, they will almost always sail in wind less
than 20 kts but that is what most of us want to do anyway.



I'm on a learning curve in all things sailing, having only been on one once.
It seems that the Mac 26 is a hybrid which brings me to my question, is it
the design/versatility that a sailer purist abhors, or is it the quality of
workmanship, or both?

If the latter, are there hybrid boats that are built better, perhaps one
with a retractable/trailerable keel? Every time I fill up my recently
acquired powerboat, I think about the benefits of sailing.

-Greg



It is the windage of a large superstructure, and an outboard motor
in windy waters. It seems a seductive death trap. I am not sure I
would want to sail it in rough weather to find out how it goes.
Otherwise, it seems fine for a light pleasure toy, roomy,
comfortable, full of amenities.

Simple as that.

Terry K

In article ,
"Dene" dene@(nospam) ipns.com wrote:

It seems that the Mac 26 is a hybrid which brings me to my question,
is it the design/versatility that a sailer purist abhors, or is it
the quality of workmanship, or both?

Pretty much both. It's not great at anything, and it's very "lightly
built".

Our previous boat was the Mac 21. When another boat clipped us while we
were moored, we suffered an astounding amount of damage and we couldn't
stint on maintenance as there was little reserve strength.

BUT, we sailed her for almost a decade. We did some astoundingly stupid
things and she didn't let us down. Was a blast getting into areas too
shallow for some dinks.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/

wrote:

The thread about crossing the atlantic in a Mac 26 was getting too long
and isnt really interesting. HOWEVER, to say that a Mac 26 sails poorly
means little as so do other "real" sailboats like the entire Morgan
Outisland series. Remember the Westsail, Practical Sailor called it
the "Wet Snail" . As far as the Dawson 26 mentioned as an ocean
crosser in the other thread, PS called it the "Doghouse 26". So,
ultimate sailing ability may mean little.
Consider that most coastal cruiosers report spending about 70% of their
time motoring and you might get a different perspective on the Mac26.
You might consider it to be a motorboat with the ability to sail.
Unlike most motorboats, this one has the safety factor of being able to
sail home. Does this make it safer than the average motorboat used for
cruising?
Do the properties of the Mac26 allow its owners to go more places than
most other sailboats.......probably. Is the Mac26 safe enough compared
to most other motorboats to allow its owner to safely cruise over to
the Bahamas under power? Consider that its speed under power may allow
it to use narrow weather windows that other sailboats could not or that
time spent at sea might sdetermine your probability of getting caught
out in bad weatrher and maybe the Mac26 speed under power gives it an
edge in safety.

This is folly. It's "capabilities" may seduce one who depends on a
safe window into thinking he will be ok because he has power and
speed in reserve, until it gets rough a day early.

Then he is a tidbit for Poseidon, bait.

He would do better to hope he can survive with ballast, stability,
bare poles and slow, gradual progress toward shelter, if he can keep
his outboard motor in the water.

The Mac 26 is a light coastal pleasure weather cruiser with some
amenities, that can sail a little bit. It is not likely an
intercontinental starship.

Nothing wrong with that. It's the people who expect too much that
are the hazard.

Terry K




I do not see the Mac 26 as an ocean crosser but as a way for people to
sail in many places. True, they will almost always sail in wind less
than 20 kts but that is what most of us want to do anyway.

Terry Spragg wrote:

wrote:

The thread about crossing the atlantic in a Mac 26 was getting too long
and isnt really interesting. HOWEVER, to say that a Mac 26 sails poorly
means little as so do other "real" sailboats like the entire Morgan
Outisland series. Remember the Westsail, Practical Sailor called it
the "Wet Snail" . As far as the Dawson 26 mentioned as an ocean
crosser in the other thread, PS called it the "Doghouse 26". So,
ultimate sailing ability may mean little.
Consider that most coastal cruiosers report spending about 70% of their
time motoring and you might get a different perspective on the Mac26.
You might consider it to be a motorboat with the ability to sail.
Unlike most motorboats, this one has the safety factor of being able to
sail home. Does this make it safer than the average motorboat used for
cruising?
Do the properties of the Mac26 allow its owners to go more places than
most other sailboats.......probably. Is the Mac26 safe enough compared
to most other motorboats to allow its owner to safely cruise over to
the Bahamas under power? Consider that its speed under power may allow
it to use narrow weather windows that other sailboats could not or that
time spent at sea might sdetermine your probability of getting caught
out in bad weatrher and maybe the Mac26 speed under power gives it an
edge in safety.


This is folly. It's "capabilities" may seduce one who depends on a
safe window into thinking he will be ok because he has power and speed
in reserve, until it gets rough a day early.

Then he is a tidbit for Poseidon, bait.

He would do better to hope he can survive with ballast, stability,
bare poles and slow, gradual progress toward shelter, if he can keep
his outboard motor in the water.

The Mac 26 is a light coastal pleasure weather cruiser with some
amenities, that can sail a little bit. It is not likely an
intercontinental starship.

Nothing wrong with that. It's the people who expect too much that are
the hazard.

Terry K




I do not see the Mac 26 as an ocean crosser but as a way for people to
sail in many places. True, they will almost always sail in wind less
than 20 kts but that is what most of us want to do anyway.



Here in the Houston-Kemah-Galveston area, there are many thousands of
beautiful sailboats, many with great sailing characteristics, etc. Most
of my sailing experiece through the years has been on displacement boats
in the 30- 40 foot range (My favorite was a 40-ft, cutter-rigged
Valiant.), and I appreciate their feel under sail and what they can do.

However, most of those boats spend 99.9% of their lives sitting in a
marina. While some are out on Galveston Bay on weekends, most are
seldom if ever taken on extended cruises that make use of their
capabilities. I'm sure it's nice to know that you have a great boat
that COULD be sailed accross the Gulf, but, on balance, I think we will
probably get in more sailing on our Mac than most of the owners of these
larger boats. And while the Mac 26M isn't a Valiant 40, it's still fun
to sail. I have multiple reefing points on the main, lines led aft,
roller furling, autopilot, DF, chart-reader, VHF, TTW and GPS knot
meters, and a nice stereo.

Different strokes for different folks. Of course, we can always charter
one of the displacement boats for extended cruising or if we have
multiple guests.

Jim

"Jim Cate" wrote


that COULD be sailed accross the Gulf, but, on balance, I
think we will
probably get in more sailing on our Mac than most of the owners
of these
larger boats.

Most real sailors would not want to ''sail' on your Mac.

SBV

Scotty wrote:

"Jim Cate" wrote




that COULD be sailed accross the Gulf, but, on balance, I


think we will


probably get in more sailing on our Mac than most of the owners


of these


larger boats.



Most real sailors would not want to ''sail' on your Mac.

SBV



And most of those "real sailors," as you call them have never sailed a
Mac. - A few have, but most wouldn't want to get on a Mac for fear that
one of their "real sailor" buddies might see them and look down their
noses at them. (I suggest that those who enjoy getting "atta-boys" by
criticising the Macs on this ng should at least provide a disclaimer if
they haven't sailed one of the recent (26M) models. In other words, a
disclaimer telling us that they really don't know what the hell they are
talking about.)

Bottom line: The Macs aren't ocean-crossing, blue water boats, but they
are, nevertheless, still fun to sail.

Jim

Yesterday, Ihad the opportunity to finally see a new Mac26 up close. I
was able to walk around her on her trailer but was not able to go
aboard or even look inside. From what i saw, I was impressed with
workmanship although her fittings seemed light. Her shrouds seemed the
right size but the fittings were sorta small to save weight. Her two
visible winches seemd small for what I am used to. However, I assume
her sail is also small to account for this. The double rudder looked
weird but thats ok. I assume the water ballast fills most of the
entire volume below the waterline so it seems like a lot. From the
cabin top, I think she must have far more interior volume than most
boats of that size. I would feel weird going over the cabin top to the
forpeak but would get used to it.
I was mostly impressed by the mast raising rig and the trailer made
just for her with many thoughts to details unique to her.
Many people say the Mac26 is ugly but I do not think so although I may
be aesthetically challenged. Similar boats that I do think are ugly
are the old and poorly made Buccaneer Bayliner (mostly occupying
landfills now) and Morgan Out Island boats. If you like boats purely
for traditional lines, the mac26 will be ugly to you. If you like
utilitarian designs, you might admire her looks.

"Jim Cate" wrote


Most real sailors would not want to ''sail' on your Mac.

SBV



And most of those "real sailors," as you call them have never
sailed a
Mac. - A few have, but most wouldn't want to get on a Mac

Well, OK then, as long as we're agreed.

Scotty

In article ,
Jim Cate wrote:
And most of those "real sailors," as you call them have never sailed a
Mac. -  A few have, but most wouldn't want to get on a Mac for fear
that one of their  "real sailor" buddies might see them and look down
their noses at them.  (I suggest that those who enjoy getting
"atta-boys" by criticising the Macs on this ng should at least provide
a disclaimer if they haven't sailed one of the recent (26M) models.  In
other words, a disclaimer telling us that they really don't know what
the hell they are talking about.)br

I have. I think their garbage boats. You're just upset because you
bought a piece of junk.

Bottom line: The Macs aren't ocean-crossing, blue water boats, but they
are, nevertheless, still fun to sail. br

YEah, in very protected waters, in very limited situations. Good for
you.. enjoy your Mac.

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

Well, we are about to get out in the blue water off Galveston and
cruise offshore (initial heading approximately 110 degrees). I'll try
to post an update to the ng next week. In any event, I'll be off the net
for a week or so but hope to make it back safely and report in sometime
next month.

Happy sailing to all.
Jim

wrote:

The thread about crossing the atlantic in a Mac 26 was getting too long
and isnt really interesting. HOWEVER, to say that a Mac 26 sails poorly
means little as so do other "real" sailboats like the entire Morgan
Outisland series. Remember the Westsail, Practical Sailor called it
the "Wet Snail" . As far as the Dawson 26 mentioned as an ocean
crosser in the other thread, PS called it the "Doghouse 26". So,
ultimate sailing ability may mean little.
Consider that most coastal cruiosers report spending about 70% of their
time motoring and you might get a different perspective on the Mac26.
You might consider it to be a motorboat with the ability to sail.
Unlike most motorboats, this one has the safety factor of being able to
sail home. Does this make it safer than the average motorboat used for
cruising?
Do the properties of the Mac26 allow its owners to go more places than
most other sailboats.......probably. Is the Mac26 safe enough compared
to most other motorboats to allow its owner to safely cruise over to
the Bahamas under power? Consider that its speed under power may allow
it to use narrow weather windows that other sailboats could not or that
time spent at sea might sdetermine your probability of getting caught
out in bad weatrher and maybe the Mac26 speed under power gives it an
edge in safety.
I do not see the Mac 26 as an ocean crosser but as a way for people to
sail in many places. True, they will almost always sail in wind less
than 20 kts but that is what most of us want to do anyway.