If I were interested in sailing, I'd consider a Mac, too. I think you'd be
happy with it: it's not expensive and it will do the job. I read a review on
it years ago, and the only thing I remember as a possible disadvantage was
the hardware not being the best or sturdiest.

"Vic Smith" wrote in message
...
On 24 Mar 2007 16:50:30 -0700, "Chuck Gould"
wrote:

With a single outboard, you can realize some pretty impressive speeds
when in the "powerboat mode".

Strangely enough, this hardly interests me, although since it's there
I'll probably make use of it at one time or another. I'm really not
at all interested in speed, and would be content with a trawler or
tug if that could happily meet my finances. My goals have a lot
vested in economy. Sails suit that well with the silent pleasure
aspect of sailing thrown in.

As far as interior accommodation goes- that small cockpit that
restricts your fishing room translates into about 3 times the interior
cabin room of most 26-foot powerboats.

Good point, and one I easily forget when thinking about how I'm going
to fish from that boat. I *really* need some hands-on time.

As you can see, there are certain brands of boats (usually among the
more moderately priced) where ownership comes with a steady barrage of
nasty comments from nasty people who can't wait to tell you what a
dunce you were for not buying whatever brand they happen to own. I
have to wonder how many people wind up buying a beat up old hulk with
an "acceptable" trade name on it just to avoid dealing with such
jerks?

Or a new Honda instead of a used Chevy (-:
Being a used Chevy guy, my skin deflects all arrows.
And has some bearing on why I can afford a boat in the first place!

I still think you'd be no worse off with a new Mac 26, (given the rest
of your requirements) than you would be with a 1979 version of a
"real" sailboat (with "real" headaches) for maybe the same kind of
money.

Thanks for your comments, Chuck.

--Vic

"Chuck Gould" wrote in message
oups.com...
On Mar 24, 6:52?pm, Wayne.B wrote:
On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:48:24 -0600, Vic Smith

wrote:
Good observation.

It may be regionally significant, or not. The best months for sailing
in my region are when it's pretty cold and still peeing down rain in
the spring and fall. The winds don't come up until late in the
afternoon a lot of midsummer days when the weather is warmer.

As a result, most of the sailboats in this corner of the country
operate under power most of the time. Sailing seems to be reserved for
racing, or for screwing around with for an hour or two after arriving
in the general vicinity of the ultimate daily destination. Of course
there are scattered exceptions, just enough to prove the rule. From
that respect, a MacGregor that spent most of its time in powerboat
mode wouldn't vary much from a more elite brand doing the same thing.


That's a real shame. here we can count on the usual South West winds to
come up around 1000 hrs and last until 1900 hrs.
We would go a whole season on a tank of diesel.

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 21:52:12 -0400, Wayne.B
wrote:

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:48:24 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Now I want to try that Flying Scot, but I've got no
doubt it'll make the Max 26 feel like a dog under sail.

More like 3 dogs :-)

The Flying Scot will run circles around it.

The mac 26 is just too big a compromise in my opinion. Most people
end up using them under power most of the time, and they aren't nearly
as well suited for that as a real power boat.

Your opinion noted and respected.
I've spent considerable time reading the Mac forum and other sail
forums, including ASA. You're right about Mac 26's being used mostly
under power, but the same is true for all cruising sailboats, Mac or
not. The Mac just powers better.
I've read post after post from non-Mac cruising sailors who hardly
ever sail! They are frank when informal surveys are done.
Not enough wind to hoist sail. Too windy to hoist sail. ICW
unsuitable for sailing. Easier to just crank up the motor. Don't
want to beat against the wind. Prefer not to heel too much because
the drinks get spilled. And on and on. Others are marina or hook
sailors who seemingly *never* sail, but write posts about sailing
quite a bit, much as I'm doing and I don't even have a boat!
Just as a rough estimate from my reading, I'd say Mac owners spend
more time out in the water moving than the average sailboat owner.
Some of the Mac owners sail quite a bit and enjoy it. Some
of them have been sailing all their lives on quicker boats but still
are happy to sail their Macs. Since I'm not a sailing purist, and
have vowed never to be in a hurry, I have no problem with the Mac
being slow. I'll give a friendly wave to those who pass and leave
them to feel like happy because they passed a Mac. Since you were a
racing sailor, you may have difficulty connecting to that mindset.
Of course, maybe I'll trouble with it to when I get to sailing.
Bottom line is you want to sail, you hoist sail. If you want to race
under sail and brag about it, don't get a Mac.
Actually, on the power cruiser side, there seems to be even less
compromise.
Like sailers, power cruisers come in many flavors. Speed, cabin
size, fishing suitability, economy and weather handling quickly come
to mind. The Mac is again slow to the speedster, probably doing
12-15 knots with a cruising load and 50hp. Still faster than tugs and
trawlers at better economy. Might get superb MPG if powered right and
kept below hull speed. Most owners don't use it that way.
It's not a good fishing platform. It's better in weather than an open
boat and at least equal to a similarly priced power cruiser.
The cabin space is voluminous compared to motor cruisers of the same
length, though buried below deck and not well appointed stock.
The power cruiser aspect is what got me interested in the Mac in the
first place, when I realized that if I went with the Carolina Skiff my
sense of gas economy and no need for speed would have me running
it off plane. So in considering economical hull types I reached the
Mac, which might be called a semi-displacement hull, and has many
advantages over the Carolina Skiff in my eyes, though it's 8-10k more.
That's where I am now, compromised. And it's fun enough.
I've worn this subject out for now, and other facts are intervening.
Was going to Punta Gorda first week of April and try out some boats,
but I've been offered a six month contract that will probably draw me
out of retirement, which is good and bad.
Bad because I don't like work, good because I can get more boat.
Since in six months I might be too old to handle sail and have more
money too, that RF246 might look sweeter yet.
If I'm stuck here I'll call some sailing contacts and maybe crew on
Lake Michigan some weekends this summer to get a better picture.
Gosh, I hope I don't get seasick. That'll screw things up real good.

--Vic

On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 03:41:40 GMT, cavelamb himself
wrote:

Vic Smith wrote:


Thanks. Nice boat, but might be a bit rich for my blood. Hadn't seen
it before even with all my browsing. You may be right on target
though, and I take your advice to try out what I'm buying before I buy
it to heart. You gave me another avenue to explore.
Although I'm not young, I'm still in pretty good shape, and do like
the idea of sailing, having crewed some.

--Vic

Heck, Vic.

My boat is smaller that that - a LOT smaller - and we do fine for
a few nights.

Yeah, everybody has different preferences. And I'm old enough to know
better than commit to any dream world without trying it first.

Who you are with makes a big difference.

Got that covered. But then there's the other half who might
think different when she's locked on the same boat with me for days on
end. Wait a minute, maybe I don't have that covered myself!

--Vic

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 22:24:14 -0700, "William Andersen"
wrote:

If I were interested in sailing, I'd consider a Mac, too. I think you'd be
happy with it: it's not expensive and it will do the job. I read a review on
it years ago, and the only thing I remember as a possible disadvantage was
the hardware not being the best or sturdiest.

Yes. At least one dealer refits some of the deck rigging right off.

--Vic

Vic Smith wrote:
On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 03:41:40 GMT, cavelamb himself
wrote:


Vic Smith wrote:


Thanks. Nice boat, but might be a bit rich for my blood. Hadn't seen
it before even with all my browsing. You may be right on target
though, and I take your advice to try out what I'm buying before I buy
it to heart. You gave me another avenue to explore.
Although I'm not young, I'm still in pretty good shape, and do like
the idea of sailing, having crewed some.

--Vic

Heck, Vic.

My boat is smaller that that - a LOT smaller - and we do fine for
a few nights.


Yeah, everybody has different preferences. And I'm old enough to know
better than commit to any dream world without trying it first.


Who you are with makes a big difference.


Got that covered. But then there's the other half who might
think different when she's locked on the same boat with me for days on
end. Wait a minute, maybe I don't have that covered myself!

--Vic






I considered a Mac 26. They look great on the net.
But changed my mind after sailing one.

They do power pretty well - if you have enough horsepower.
But I wanted to sail.

My boat is a Catalina Capri 18 (which is NOT a centerboard boat, BTW).

She has a 5 HP Briggs (air cooled!) outboard.
Spent about 6 weeks at Canyon lake last summer,
Then moved up to Ray Hubbard near Dallas and have had a blast.

In all that thme we've burned half a tanks of gas.
(It's a 3 gallon tank)


Just about finished installing the cabinets!
Ok, not plural - cabinet.
But it sure helps organize the interior.

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavel...rit.htm#spirit

We had to cut short today and go home to mow the lawn.
Yech! Farmer work.

I'd REALLY rather be sailing!


Richard

"cavelamb himself" wrote in message
link.net...
Vic Smith wrote:
On Sun, 25 Mar 2007 03:41:40 GMT, cavelamb himself
wrote:


Vic Smith wrote:


Thanks. Nice boat, but might be a bit rich for my blood. Hadn't
seen
it before even with all my browsing. You may be right on target
though, and I take your advice to try out what I'm buying before I
buy
it to heart. You gave me another avenue to explore.
Although I'm not young, I'm still in pretty good shape, and do like
the idea of sailing, having crewed some.

--Vic

Heck, Vic.

My boat is smaller that that - a LOT smaller - and we do fine for
a few nights.


Yeah, everybody has different preferences. And I'm old enough to
know
better than commit to any dream world without trying it first.


Who you are with makes a big difference.


Got that covered. But then there's the other half who might
think different when she's locked on the same boat with me for days
on
end. Wait a minute, maybe I don't have that covered myself!

--Vic






I considered a Mac 26. They look great on the net.
But changed my mind after sailing one.

They do power pretty well - if you have enough horsepower.
But I wanted to sail.

My boat is a Catalina Capri 18 (which is NOT a centerboard boat, BTW).

She has a 5 HP Briggs (air cooled!) outboard.
Spent about 6 weeks at Canyon lake last summer,
Then moved up to Ray Hubbard near Dallas and have had a blast.

In all that thme we've burned half a tanks of gas.
(It's a 3 gallon tank)


Just about finished installing the cabinets!
Ok, not plural - cabinet.
But it sure helps organize the interior.

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~cavel...rit.htm#spirit

We had to cut short today and go home to mow the lawn.
Yech! Farmer work.

I'd REALLY rather be sailing!


Nice but I have one little suggestion. How about installing an itty
bitty VHF microphone clip instead of hanging it by the wire and
listening to it banging on the bulkhead

http://www.boatersworld.com/product/319050043.htm

Wilbur Hubbard

On Mar 24, 10:20 pm, "Capt. JG" wrote:
"Wayne.B" wrote in message

...

On Sat, 24 Mar 2007 17:48:24 -0600, Vic Smith
wrote:

Now I want to try that Flying Scot, but I've got no
doubt it'll make the Max 26 feel like a dog under sail.

More like 3 dogs :-)

The Flying Scot will run circles around it.

The mac 26 is just too big a compromise in my opinion. Most people
end up using them under power most of the time, and they aren't nearly
as well suited for that as a real power boat.

Far from defending the Mac26, I will say that there are situations when it
seems to be appropriate. For example, I know a couple who have one, and they
almost exclusively explore the marshland near a community in the SF bayarea.
They don't venture out onto the bay much... perhaps 5 percent of the time
and then only in the south bay. They like bird watching and don't want to
kayak, since they stay out for a couple of days in a row. I think they do
sail it a bit, but mostly they motor very slowly hither and yon.

--
"j" ganz


Not sure about a Mac26, but there's some people on my favorite lake,
that have some fairly good sized sail boats, in the 22'-27' range, and
there's a couple of baots that doen't have any sailing rigging on
them. Interesting to note, that they will come in from the St.Louis
area, in a Fri evening (especially on a holiday weekend) load
dufflebags, and coolers, into their non rigged sail boat, then power
there way out into the lake. some diesel, and some small outboard, and
will use the boat for a weekend "water camper".

they like the boat, but don't like sailing.

huh

Tim

In article .com,
Tim wrote:

Far from defending the Mac26, I will say that there are situations when it
seems to be appropriate. For example, I know a couple who have one, and they
almost exclusively explore the marshland near a community in the SF bayarea.
They don't venture out onto the bay much... perhaps 5 percent of the time
and then only in the south bay. They like bird watching and don't want to
kayak, since they stay out for a couple of days in a row. I think they do
sail it a bit, but mostly they motor very slowly hither and yon.

Not sure about a Mac26, but there's some people on my favorite lake,
that have some fairly good sized sail boats, in the 22'-27' range, and
there's a couple of baots that doen't have any sailing rigging on
them. Interesting to note, that they will come in from the St.Louis
area, in a Fri evening (especially on a holiday weekend) load
dufflebags, and coolers, into their non rigged sail boat, then power
there way out into the lake. some diesel, and some small outboard, and
will use the boat for a weekend "water camper".

they like the boat, but don't like sailing.

huh

No kidding. I didn't specifically say it, but these people never sail
the boat in the marshland. They motor almost exclusively. The only
time they raise the sails is when infrequently venturing out to visit
another inlet. I don't think they turn off the engine.

It's strange, but I guess they like the idea of having sails... just
in case.

--
Capt. JG @@
www.sailnow.com

On Mar 25, 8:25 pm, (Jonathan Ganz) wrote:
In article .com,





Tim wrote:
Far from defending the Mac26, I will say that there are situations when it
seems to be appropriate. For example, I know a couple who have one, and they
almost exclusively explore the marshland near a community in the SF bayarea.
They don't venture out onto the bay much... perhaps 5 percent of the time
and then only in the south bay. They like bird watching and don't want to
kayak, since they stay out for a couple of days in a row. I think they do
sail it a bit, but mostly they motor very slowly hither and yon.
Not sure about a Mac26, but there's some people on my favorite lake,
that have some fairly good sized sail boats, in the 22'-27' range, and
there's a couple of baots that doen't have any sailing rigging on
them. Interesting to note, that they will come in from the St.Louis
area, in a Fri evening (especially on a holiday weekend) load
dufflebags, and coolers, into their non rigged sail boat, then power
there way out into the lake. some diesel, and some small outboard, and
will use the boat for a weekend "water camper".

they like the boat, but don't like sailing.

huh

No kidding. I didn't specifically say it, but these people never sail
the boat in the marshland. They motor almost exclusively. The only
time they raise the sails is when infrequently venturing out to visit
another inlet. I don't think they turn off the engine.

It's strange, but I guess they like the idea of having sails... just
in case.

--
Capt. JG - Hide quoted text -

- Show quoted text -






It's strange, but I guess they like the idea of having sails... just
in case.

Either that, or they like other people to know that they have a sail
boat.