Is 20-30 mph winds too much for the mac 26x?

[Jimnkathy]

I am wanting to go sailing tommorow for the last time this year. The weather man is saying we are going to have 20-30 mph winds. The last time I went out in high winds it was exciting but scary at times. We almost capsized a few times. Would reefing be enough to deal with the high winds or should I just stay home?

Thank you\

Jim

[Richard O'Brien]

I did race committee boat for our clubs fall regatta 2 weeks ago. The wind was a buffeting 24-30 kts mostly clocked at 24 mph. Most of the boats are 20-27', or similar to Macs. We had one dis-masting, 3 man over-boards, and a couple of blown out sails. by the end of the 1st race 1/3 of the field was calling it quits. We called the race, as it was too much carnage. The next day the winds were 7-20 mph all day. we had the best Columbus Day Regatta ever and conducted 24 starts for three classes. My opinion: !5-20 is perfect for a Mac. Add another 5 or more mph, and you'll survive, but it's a handful.

[R Rae]

The first thing to consider IMHO would be: Is the launch area sufficiently sheltered, that even with a high wind situation, you would be able to safely launch the boat and also get it back on the trailer.

Something to think about.

Good luck

Ron

[delevi]

I can say from ample first-hand experience that the Mac can handle these conditions. Never sailed on an but would assume it would hold up just as well. You will certainly want to reef. Set up the reef before heading out if possible. If you have a furler, you may want to reef in some of your headsail as well. You will not capsize. It is virtually impossible on a Mac or keelboat for that matter. Just release the sheets if the heel angle is too much. 35 degrees is perfectly safe. You will probably round up into the wind before the boat heels much more than that. The key is not to be afraid. If you're afraid, you probably shouldn't attempt this. If you have some experience under your belt, you should be fine. In hindsight, my first time in 35-40 kts wind was the second day I had the boat out, 3 years ago. I didn't know what I was doing and the boat got knocked down to 90 degrees on its side. Once I managed to release both sheets, she sprang right up and rounded into the wind. The experience, though unplanned, really instilled much confidence in me in knowing that the boat will no capsize. If you want to sail in windy conditions, the only way to gain experience is to go out there. If things get hairy, you can always drop sails and motor back home. Trying to tame the Mac, however, can be very exciting.

Good Luck,
Leon

[beene]

Hi Jim

Just trying to figure out your sailing ability from your post before I pass you a thumbs up or down on your plans.

You said "The last time I went out in high winds it was exciting but scary at times." What do you call high winds? 20-30? You should never be on the water in winds that SCARE YOU!

"We almost capsized a few times." That sounds a wee bit of an exaggeration to be honest. Often an inexperienced sailor will hit 45 deg an think he's gonna flip upside down.

"Would reefing be enough to deal with the high winds or should I just stay home?" By the sounds of things, you have not reefed the main before and at the very least, not that time you were out in those higher winds before. Am I right?

If you are quite familiar with how to reef your main, and have a furler on your head sail to keep things under control, you will survive the conditions you speak of. However, keep in mind, you will most likely heel beyond 45 deg several times, and will have to keep the mainsheet in your hand to spill off the gusts and keep the heel under control.

This kind of sailing is not for everyone. Most sailors of all types of boats seem to avoid these conditions, preferring to wait for less intense sailing. At least where I sail, on windy days, I am the only loonie out there pushing the envelope.

IMHO, just trying to read between the lines of your post, I would say you had better gain some more experience before heading out in winds higher than 20kts.

G

[R Rae]

Well Jim,

What's the word ?

Did you go or not ?

I hope you and crew aren't hanging onto some bouy out there in the cold darkening waters of Troy

Ron

[delevi]

C'mon G! Don't go all soft and conservative on us. Cut the guy loose. Shouldn’t go over 45 degrees in 20 kts with reefed sails. Just have to remember to spill wind in the gusts, as you mentioned.

To the OP; Hope all goes well. All comments for entertainment purposes only. Don't try this at home. Not responsible for anything that happens, caveat emptor, not intended as serious sailing advice or any judgments or assumptions on your sailing ability.... etc, etc, etc. Don't even consider suing me if you get into trouble of any sort. All that said, hope you have lots of fun Jim.

Fair Winds,
Leon

[Craig LaForce]

In general it is best to increase your high wind experience by a little bit at each opportunity. Once you get comfortable with 20 knots, go out in 25 knots, then another step on another day. THis will let you get confidence in the boat and in your abilities, as well as give you time back at the dock each time to correct whatever things need corrected for the next higher wind increment. (having sufficient rig tension, and balancing mast rake to balance out extreme weather helm. )

Each time in higher winds, it will be a little scary, but after a while will simply be spirited sailing.

Certainly it is preferable to have a standard jib rather then a genoa, and a second set of reef points on the mainsail will help as well. (the factory sail has only one deep reef which is so extreme, you might as well drop the sail and motor. Also the stock mainsail is pretty light duty, so a heavier mainsail might be what you want for higher winds.

If you have to roll the front sail up completely, the boat (26X) will not go upwind but will sail at about 90 degree angle. the X does want to have a jib up to keep helm balance and to prevent extreme rudder angles.

Keep enough boat speed to prevent rudder and centerboard stall.
I have been out lots of times when most of the other boats have gone home. Reef at the dock if possible, because it can be very difficult to reef single handed in big waves. Easy to tear the sail with the reef hook if you miss the grommit, and also almost impossible to grab the sail leach to thread a reef line in when it is flapping wildly. Having the line already in the back grommit is another alternative.
If you are nervous, keep the motor warmed up or even idling and in the water (especially if you think you might miss a tack near a downwind hazard) . The boat will handle just about anything if you drop the sail and motor back with ballast in at about 5 knots.


Good luck.

[Highlander]

Yeah ; Beene

Your the only loonie out their, how about the twoonie thats out their covering your butt or should I say keeping it wet !!!
Well, I'd say the wee was over 75deg. heel a couple times this yr no problem just don't get your knicker's in a bind ???

It all depends on your sailing abbility if you have to think about it don't do it !!!!

Cheers John

[Catigale]

Ditto the post on being able to launch and recover. If you can do this that metal genny will pretty much make getting home easy.

Your range is an interesting one - 20 mph is a lot of fun whereas 30 mph can be a lot of work.

Reef the main right from the start, and get outhaul, downhaul and halyard as tight as you can - get that main flat to depower it. If you knew you were going out in wind like this, switch off that headsail for a small jib or even a storm sail (about 200 USD)

..dont go out alone, and make sure everything down below is secured.

[Gerald Gordon]

Ask yourself this:

Is driving your car/truck at 95 mph something you enjoy doing?

[Divecoz]

Well I for one am waiting to hear did you go out? Did you have fun? Did you learn anything?
20 to 30 mph winds ?? Where are you sailing? Have you played with wind anywhere near that yet. Is it just you and another crew who's been before and WANTS to go and try this?

[rockman]

I have been out in 25kn (28.8Mph), just sailing with the headsail (standard Mac Jib). Things were ok until the gusts came in - it caused the boat to round up. So i furled in the sail and motored away. Even with no sails, the large windage of the mac is still something to contend with (IMHO).

Thats the beauty of this yacht - it did not take me long to get back up the lake - straight into the wind.

[marsanden]

1) 20-30 mph = 17,4 -26,1 kts it means a small difference, but a difference anyway.

talking about sailing : this wind range is too big.
its very different sailing in 17 kts then sailing in 26 kts.

Anyway, every Mac can handle those winds ( but sailing in 26 kts wind could be wery hard)....not every sailors can handle them

[Jimnkathy]

Thanks to everyone for your help on the subject. I know some of you are wondering if we I went out on the lake? The answer is no I didnt go out. There was just too much wind gust from 20 to 30 mph. I kind of wish I went but I don't want to put my wife and kids at risk. If it was just me I would go for it. I already know my kids dont like seeing water almost touching the windows when they are in the cabin. LOL. I hope I can get out on the lake before the winter kicks in.

I will try to reef next time the wind gets scary. Thanks again for all the answers. Sorry it took so long to get back to you all!. I have been working like a dog lately.

Jim