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.

wrote:

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.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I think the looks of the current model (the 26M, in the white version)
are improved relative to the previous models. - I don't know which one
you saw.

To me, the shorter versions of the Island Packet and the Crealock are
ugly. - Sort of like miniature tugboats. Of course, if you ignore their
looks, they are great, heavily built boats suited for extended blue
water sailing.

Jim

"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

Scotty wrote:

"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 (Because of what their "real sailor" buddies might say about them.)


If they did, they might discover that they liked the Mac.- - That
would REALLY be embarrassing.




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


Yes, we're pretty much in agreement.

Jim

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

Jonathan Ganz wrote:

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.


Which models have you sailed, and under what circumstances? Have you
sailed the current model (the 26M)? They include several fairly
significant changes.



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.


Very limited situations, in very protected waters? I agree that the Mac
isn't a good choice for an ocean crossing, and that their owners need to
know their boats' limitations, monitor the weather, etc. But if you
check trip reports on some of the Mac discussion groups, you would see
discussions from Mac owners who sail in a variety of waters in many
interesting locations around the world. Those in California, where the
boat is manufactured, sail in San Francisco Bay, often in high wind
conditions. Those near LA sail and/or motor offshore to Catalina Island,
etc. (They have the option of motoring out in two hours after work on a
Friday, then spending two days of sailing and exploring the area, then
returning by sail or motor Sunday afternoon or Monday morning.) - For
example, according to one recent report, there were more than 10 Macs
anchored at Catalina when the owner sailed there one weekend. Another
report was from a Mac owner who has sailed on several extended trips
near Marina Del Ray to the Channel Islands, from Oxnard. Of course, it's
also true that some Mac owners sail in lakes.... like, Lake Ontario,
Lake Michigan, etc. In New England, Mac owners sail from various areas
up and down the coast, and, and between Cape Cod, Buzzards Bay, etc. In
Florida, they sail offshore from Pensacola, or down the keys to Key
West, and from Key West out to the Tortugas. Others have sailed to the
Bahamas. In Europe, they sail in the Mediterranean, and in waters near
the British Isles. Also, there seem to be lots of Macs sailing from
Australia.

Of course, with a Mac you aren't limited to sailing from one home port
or sailing primarily in one region. If you have a week's vacation and
want to go to somewhere new, you can easily trailer the boat to a port
of your choice. E.g., north in the summer, and south in winter.

So, you were saying that Macs are restricted to "very limited
situations"? Really? - Seems to me that Mac owners have some pretty
interesting options.

Jim

In article ,
Jim Cate wrote:
I have. I think their garbage boats. You're just upset because you
bought a piece of junk.

Which models have you sailed, and under what circumstances? Have you
sailed the current model (the 26M)? They include several fairly
significant changes.

If I told you, would you believe me... doubt it.

Would you believe me if I told you that I know a major dealer of them
in this area and even he thinks they're crap... doubt it.

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


Very limited situations, in very protected waters? I agree that the Mac
isn't a good choice for an ocean crossing, and that their owners need to
bs deleted

It's nice when we agree.

Of course, with a Mac you aren't limited to sailing from one home port
or sailing primarily in one region. If you have a week's vacation and
want to go to somewhere new, you can easily trailer the boat to a port
of your choice. E.g., north in the summer, and south in winter.

Yep. Put it on a trailer and go to a nice quiet lake. I'm sure that
would be fine.

So, you were saying that Macs are restricted to "very limited
situations"? Really? - Seems to me that Mac owners have some pretty
interesting options.

Well, dumpster divers find pretty interesting things, but I wouldn't
want to be one.



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