Took the Tolman out yesterday. Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.

On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:

Took the Tolman out yesterday. Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.

What you've said is probably a good reason the Mac 26 is so popular.

--Vic

On Jun 15, 3:54*pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch



wrote:
Took the Tolman out yesterday. *Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. *Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. *Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. *She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. *Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. *We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. *We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.

What you've said is probably a good reason the Mac 26 is so popular.

--Vic

I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.

Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 3:54 pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch



wrote:
Took the Tolman out yesterday. Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.
What you've said is probably a good reason the Mac 26 is so popular.

--Vic

I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.


A decently built sailboat of that size and style sells for twice as much
as the Mac, and I'm not talking top-drawer, either - just ordinary
construction, like, say, a 27' Hunter.



--
The modern GOP is little more than an army of moral absolutists led by a
gang of moral nihilists.

On Jun 15, 4:48*pm, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 3:54 pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch

wrote:
Took the Tolman out yesterday. *Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. *Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. *Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. *She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. *Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. *We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. *We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.
What you've said is probably a good reason the Mac 26 is so popular.

--Vic

I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. *When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. *The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. *Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. *I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.

A decently built sailboat of that size and style sells for twice as much
as the Mac, and I'm not talking top-drawer, either - just ordinary
construction, like, say, a 27' Hunter.

--
The modern GOP is little more than an army of moral absolutists led by a
gang of moral nihilists.

I was never impressed by Hunters. I'd like to see a truly
dispassionate evaluation of the Mac26 quality but mention them on any
sailing site and you instantly get flamed.

On Jun 15, 4:56*pm, Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 4:48*pm, HK wrote:



Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 3:54 pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch

wrote:
Took the Tolman out yesterday. *Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. *Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. *Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. *She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. *Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. *We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. *We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.
What you've said is probably a good reason the Mac 26 is so popular.

--Vic

I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. *When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. *The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. *Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. *I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.

A decently built sailboat of that size and style sells for twice as much
as the Mac, and I'm not talking top-drawer, either - just ordinary
construction, like, say, a 27' Hunter.

--
The modern GOP is little more than an army of moral absolutists led by a
gang of moral nihilists.

I was never impressed by Hunters. *I'd like to see a truly
dispassionate evaluation of the Mac26 quality but mention them on any
sailing site and you instantly get flamed.

Aside from build quality and seaworthiness, a big issue is how easy is
it to launch. If it is too much of a PITA, our boating would get more
and more infrequent. I'd like to try one for a while including
trailering and setup and using her.

Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 4:48 pm, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 3:54 pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:
Took the Tolman out yesterday. Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.
What you've said is probably a good reason the Mac 26 is so popular.
--Vic
I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.
A decently built sailboat of that size and style sells for twice as much
as the Mac, and I'm not talking top-drawer, either - just ordinary
construction, like, say, a 27' Hunter.

--
The modern GOP is little more than an army of moral absolutists led by a
gang of moral nihilists.

I was never impressed by Hunters. I'd like to see a truly
dispassionate evaluation of the Mac26 quality but mention them on any
sailing site and you instantly get flamed.


Hunter: ordinary construction. Mac: about half the price of a
similar-sized Hunter. Why..that makes the Mac...a bargain!



--
The modern GOP is little more than an army of moral absolutists led by a
gang of moral nihilists.

Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 4:48 pm, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 3:54 pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:
Took the Tolman out yesterday. Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.
What you've said is probably a good reason the Mac 26 is so popular.
--Vic
I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.
A decently built sailboat of that size and style sells for twice as much
as the Mac, and I'm not talking top-drawer, either - just ordinary
construction, like, say, a 27' Hunter.

--
The modern GOP is little more than an army of moral absolutists led by a
gang of moral nihilists.

I was never impressed by Hunters. I'd like to see a truly
dispassionate evaluation of the Mac26 quality but mention them on any
sailing site and you instantly get flamed.

Hunters are nice light air sailors. But they will test your metal in
anything over 20 kts. I set out to buy a venture 23 but ended up with a
Hunter 25 instead. That was my last sailboat before I switched to power
and I never looked back.

On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 13:56:16 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch
wrote:

On Jun 15, 4:48*pm, HK wrote:
Frogwatch wrote:
On Jun 15, 3:54 pm, Vic Smith wrote:
On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 12:40:20 -0700 (PDT), Frogwatch

wrote:
Took the Tolman out yesterday. *Went far up the Ocklocknee River from
Ocklocknee River State park to where it looked like the river scenes
from Apocalypse Now. *Side channels all over, swampy, muggy as hell
and gators everywhere. *Stopped at an isolated landing way up there
and looked around.
Later, my wife remarked that although ti had been fun, she was bored
when I drove the boat for a long time and she did not like driving
it. *She thinks she does a lot when we go sailing, in reality, she is
mostly an encumbrance when we sail but she thinks she helps.
This got me thinking about the two forms of boating and realized they
have entirely different motives. *Sailing is ussually about the act of
boating, ie the actual sailing whereas powerboating is mostly about
using the boat to go places. *We go sailing for a day without going
anywhere, just back and forth across Apalachee Bay or just out-as-far-
as-we-can-go. *We always use the powerboat to go someplace cool (ok,
in this case really hot).
If I had to choose one over the other, I do not know which it would be.
What you've said is probably a good reason the Mac 26 is so popular.

--Vic

I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. *When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. *The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. *Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. *I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.

A decently built sailboat of that size and style sells for twice as much
as the Mac, and I'm not talking top-drawer, either - just ordinary
construction, like, say, a 27' Hunter.

--
The modern GOP is little more than an army of moral absolutists led by a
gang of moral nihilists.

I was never impressed by Hunters. I'd like to see a truly
dispassionate evaluation of the Mac26 quality but mention them on any
sailing site and you instantly get flamed.

Harry knows about all there is to know about sailboats and sailing.
He's been around the Horn a couple times.

Pay him heed.
--
John H

"The democracy will cease to exist when you take away from those
who are willing to work and give to those who would not."
Thomas Jefferson

On Mon, 15 Jun 2009 16:48:39 -0400, HK wrote:


I believe that boats like the Mac 26 are the future of sailboat
sales. When you consider the cost of keeping a boat in a slip, few
young couples can afford it. The Mac26 makes having a reasonable
sized boat affordable.
I will also argue that if used as intended, the Mac26 is probably
safer than most other sailboats because she can quickly get back to
port when it gets nasty out there. Her trailerability makes her far
more useful than most heavy boats.
Unfortunately, Macgregor has reputation for poor quality due to their
old line of Venture boats. I do not know how their reputation for
quality is right now.


A decently built sailboat of that size and style sells for twice as much
as the Mac, and I'm not talking top-drawer, either - just ordinary
construction, like, say, a 27' Hunter.

Different purpose boats. The Mac 26 will go where Froggie took the
Tolman yesterday. The Hunter won't.

Hunter min draft 3'6"
Mac 26 min draft 12"

Hunter displacement 7,656 lbs.
Mac displacement 2,550 lbs.

Macs are lightly built boats, easily trailered, and economical under
power.
Having read the Mac forums for years, there are very few complaints
about build quality. Some upgrade the factory rigging to heavier
stays.
They are also highly customizable, like the Carolina Skiff, another
high mpg boat - due to lightness of build.
For Florida coastal/harbor/bay/swamp/beach both boats do well.
The CS hulls flap at speed. Some owners glass in a couple 2x4's
to stop that. Makes 'em feel better (-:
Others don't bother.

--Vic