Anyone live near Norfolk Virginia?

[Subnate]

This is my first post, and was wondering if there is anyone near this area who would let me take a closer look at one of these boats, I'm really interested in the . I've been trying to sift through the fact and fiction of these boats on other forums. They seem hated by everyone except the people who own them, so thats why I decided to join here and get the truth. I've been looking at all boats sail and power and keep coming back to the Mac. I would be stowing it on the trailer at the local Navy base, It would just be me the wife and the dog most of the time gunk-holing for long weekends and maybe longer here on the Chesapeake and maybe later towing to Maine, Keys and ultimately the Bahamas when I have the experience. This would be my first boat except having a jet ski long ago, but I was gone a lot and didn't have time to use it, but when I did we explored more then went fast on it. So my real questions are, is this a good first boat for this area? Things I really like about this boat, I'm able to stow it on a trailer so no huge monthly slip fees, shallow draft, able to take it out under power when theres little to no wind, and it seems to have the best living conditions of a trailerable boats this size, easiest to load on and off trailer, and not a ton of maintenance. I would be learning to sail on it, I have a little experience on sailing 420's and Hobies. Downsides I guess sailing performance, and people making jokes about it, built a little flimsy, are there other downsides I should know about? I bought a Subaru Baja so I understand compromise. But thanks for any info you can offer.

[kmclemore]

So my real questions are, is this a good first boat for this area?

Yes, I think so. The Chesapeake is a great place for wandering and exploring, so you'll want a boat you can be comfortable living on for a few days or more. Also, you'll want a boat that can navigate up the shallow rivers and close to the coastlines with no worries. You may also appreciate a boat that can be easily transported and launched, at virtually any public or private launch, by only one or two people so you can go virtually anywhere on the bay. Further, you'll want a boat that's fairly low maintenance (i.e. little brightwork, few points of failure) and you'll probably also want one where you can motor more quickly to somewhat more distant ports in the bay - think weekend trips. The Mac is all of those. We've had our Mac on the Chesapeake many times and had great fun.

Downsides I guess sailing performance, and people making jokes about it, built a little flimsy, are there other downsides I should know about? I bought a Subaru Baja so I understand compromise. But thanks for any info you can offer.

People have never made jokes about my Mac, since by the time they get to know me well enough to tell such jokes they have likely seen my Mac and they are already impressed with the boat's capabilities. Folks who make the jokes in most cases were never actually were aboard one.

As to it being flimsy, there's actually very little to break on a Mac and they don't really fail any more than any other boat. Yes, they are a low cost alternative, but then that's because there's fewer components aboard that CAN fail... simplicity is a great way of reducing failures. And if you want to 'harden-up' the boat's components it's pretty easy and not very expensive to do so. I like to think of the Mac as a palette... each owner then starts with that palette and adds his or her own style, functionality and comforts. I think I like this better than the ready-made boats that may have things installed that I probably wouldn't have wanted (or wanted to pay for, either).

Now, as to its sailing and powering, although these boats are fun to handle, it's an acquired taste. At first they won't handle like a most sailboats or powerboats you've piloted before and it takes a bit of time to get comfortable with their quirks... but in the end it's an utterly enjoyable boat to pilot. They won't have the sailing performance of a purpose-built racing sailboat, and they won't power like a purpose-built power boat, either... but the fact is that the boat does *both*, and that alone is a real difference-maker. Being able to sail for that hour longer, knowing you can motor in briskly... being able to get your family to a safe harbor quickly when foul weather approaches... being able to power-sail (motor and sail) and travel long distances while only sipping fuel... being able to strip off the mast and use it as a pure power cruising boat (aka "trawler")... you simply can't do this in any other type of boat other than a Mac / Tattoo (or a Mac / Tattoo clone).

It is, indeed, a compromise boat... but the one thing you won't need to compromise on is fun.

[Sea Wind]

are there other downsides I should know about?

you will need a new tow beast.

Seriously, It is a great boat. I would spend more time reading the threads in this forum and what we have actually done with a Mac than what the naysayers say we can’t do.

In my old marina I used to get some of those comments from sailors that spent most of their time in the cockpit of their blue water sailboats at the dock; it stopped when I started coming back with stories from sailing in events like the Beer cruise, the Pirate sail an going to the Keys in Spring Break. Now the comments are mostly about sailing with three boys under 8.

[Seapup]

This is my first post, and was wondering if there is anyone near this area who would let me take a closer look at one of these boats, I'm really interested in the .

So my real questions are, is this a good first boat for this area?

I think its perfect for the area We have had our 02 here since 2010. (Virginia Beach) We have sailed it from MD to NC, ocean, bay and ICW, and lived on it most of each summer the last 5 years. It fits under the local 35' bridges and can go up all the small creeks of the lynnhaven bay, ICW and remote southern tip of the eastern shore where only the crab boats and kayaks go.

Checking one out in person (any boat) before committing is wise. I had a couple adamant on seeing mine last weekend drive the whole way up from Alabama to check it (first mac) only to decide its not what they wanted...

[Subnate]

Thanks everyone, thats what I figured about these boats, there for people who would rather get out and explore, rather then race around the cans or sit along the dock sipping wine, I enjoy exploring the back waters and places others can't go. And I do have another tow vehicle, a Toyota Tundra so I'm good there. I still need to go see one and maybe see if someone might take the wife and I out just to get a feel for how they handle. But I see this boat as a camper on the water which is perfect for what I want to do with it. So thanks again for the replies.

[cptron]

But I see this boat as a camper on the water which is perfect for what I want to do with it.

Then this is the boat for you as some have referred to the Mac as a "Waterbago"
Also remember when you by the boat, be sure to save enough money to buy everyone pizza.

[Gypsea Wind]

I have a 2013 M in Fredericksburg you are welcome to come look at.

[81venture]

I live in Wake Forest NC and have a 1996 X

am home all the time...don't work

I dove to the navy base once to pic up an international scout i sold to a sailor, who abandoned it on base, and a year later they contacted me though the Vin# and I picked it up and sold it again..

I think it was like 3 hour drive?

anyway you or anyone else here is always welcome