MAIN PROBLEM I HAVE WITH THEM IS I STEPPED ON ONE AT THE ANNAPOLIS SAILBOAT
SHOW A FEW YEARS AGO AND THE ENTIRE DECK WAS VERY SPONGY .....NOT STIFF AT
ALL ...I WORRY ABOUT THE CONSTRUCTION ....I THINK THEY WENT VERY LITE TO
MAKE SPEED ...BUT I GUESS THATS FINE IF YOU DON'T GET CAUGHT IN A BAD SPOT
wrote in message
ups.com...
I'll admit, I have never looked at a Mac 26 from closer than 50' and
that they have a bad reputation as the builder of the old Venture
boats. However, if whayt they say is correct on their site, they have
incorporated many of the things that were the hallmarks of good
sailboat construction in the 80s. For example, they say they use a
bolted hull to deck joint rather than the rivets on some boats
(Beneteau I think). I agree with them about their philosophy about the
use of glass rather than balsa or foam core as a properly made glass
structure can be stronger than the cored one. Furthermore, their mass
production methods is a good way to achieve high quality without high
cost. Hand made is often poorly made. So, I cannot diss them without
looking at one but I can see some good things if what their site says
is correct.

On 18 Nov 2005 15:27:04 -0600, Dave wrote:



I'm pleased with the result. The 5 1/2' draft fin keel does limit our
getting in to a few places, and I do have to put on the autopilot for the
boat to sail itself, but the tradeoff in speed was well worth it.

I totally understand that. In fact, I'm trying to "long-term loan" my
current C&C design (fast if old) so I don't have to sell it when I buy
a passagmaking boat. We'll have no schedule to keep, and I would
prefer exactly those features you cite when doing a circ.

When I get back though, I would sell it pronto and take up where I
left off with my cruiser-racer, far more appropriate for the light air
and only rarely shoal waters of Lake Ontario.

R.

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/

"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