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