Hello Mac Sailors - new to the forum

SailorII · Post by **SailorII** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 4:29 pm

Like many other posters, I have been enjoying, (lurking), on the discussion forum for the past 3 or 4 years. I first saw the MAC M in 2004, and wanted one then. The Admiral and I could not agree, so I went another route to sailing. I bought and sailed an 84 Seaward 24 for a couple of years, then an 87 Catalina 27 last year. - that one sailed like a dream tthough I still have much to learn about sailing. My eye was always on the Macgregor, the trailerabliltiy, lower maintenance costs, etc. An opportunity presented itself, I found a nicely maintained 2003 X, took the sea trial, (yes it only sails fair, but is a lot of fun) last Friday and ta da, I am a Macgregor owner! Thank you all for the your contributions to the site, I hope to be a useful contributor.

Scott · Post by **Scott** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 5:16 pm

Welcome sailor II, a bad day on a "fair" sailor is beter than a great day at work.

I too come as a previous owner of a long line of "better sailing" boats and have not regretted owning a Mac for a single day. Except maybe the day I advertised it for sale. (Kids grown and gone)

Dimitri-2000X-Tampa · Post by **Dimitri-2000X-Tampa** » Wed Apr 23, 2008 6:09 pm

Hi Sailor2, welcome to the forum. I too have owned many "real" sailing boats in the past and finally settled on the Mac due to the ultimate in versatility and excellent West Florida performance (large areas of shallow water). Besides, if you want the thrill of sailing fast, you just can't beat a small craft like a windsurfer or a fast dinghy like a laser. Doubt that Seaward or Catalina is gonna get up on a plane and take off like a fast small craft. And really, once you learn all the quirks of the Mac, it sails pretty well, except maybe for beating upwind in wavy conditions. You can pick up some ground on the real sailing boats when running close to downwind with all the boards up.

jaguar496 · Post by **jaguar496** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:46 am

Hello SAILORII: too bad you waited soooo long to participate, but now, we will have your wisdom and experiences to RELISH

Alice and I have NO sailing experience on our own boat, so we will always be amazed at our

when it is delivered

Don't be a stranger with the comparisons of your other yachts, as most of the seasoned masters will just love to make sure your

is ALWAYS superior to them, and will TELL you why

We are at ICW 160, stop in on your way north

WELCOME, WELCOME, WELCOME, to the GREAT AND ZANY world of

"THE RESTLESS TWO"

Post by **NiceAft** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 8:32 am

Welcome sailorII! You may wish to update your profile with information about your new X and yourself. Most of us have. It helps at times in directing you (when you have a problem) to someone who may be in your area. It also can locate sailing buddies

.

Again welcome aboard.

Ray

SailorII · Post by **SailorII** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:03 pm

In my introduction, I mentioned my two other keel boats, Seaward 24, and Catalina 27, and my new 2003 X. I was a rookie sailing both of those, and so the Macgregor already outsails me. I've only been on one Mac, mine on the sea trai, l have so much to learn. I spent a beautiful Saturday afternoon on the Chesapeake Bay shaking out the launching, motoring up the West River channel, and retrailering. Next week I hope to unfurl the sails. Looking forward to it.

Post by **NiceAft** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 7:28 pm

The Chesapeake is one of the places on the east coast that can rival sailing anywhere on the west coast.

Ray

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Sun Apr 27, 2008 9:22 pm

NiceAft wrote:The Chesapeake is one of the places on the east coast that can rival sailing anywhere on the west coast.

Errrr ... yes for gunkholing.
For sailing, not even close!

Kelly Hanson East · Post by **Kelly Hanson East** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 3:38 am

Agreed, the Chesapeake is much better sailing...

TAW02 · Post by **TAW02** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 6:18 am

everyone has their own opinion.

Agreed, the Chesapeake is much better sailing...

and mine is ... 'Southwest Florida is my mudhole'!

Opinions is what keeps people put. Otherwise we'd all be on top of one nuther.

Opinions ... it's what fer dinner ....

Big T

(the filosofer)

Québec 1 · Post by **Québec 1** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:12 am

TAW02 wrote:everyone has their own opinion.

Agreed, the Chesapeake is much better sailing...

and mine is ... 'Southwest Florida is my mudhole'!

Opinions is what keeps people put. Otherwise we'd all be on top of one nuther.

Opinions ... it's what fer dinner ....

Big T

(the filosofer)

So where in Southwest Florida should I put my Mac during the winter (trailer parking)

Q1M

tangentair · Post by **tangentair** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 7:59 am

Frank C wrote:
NiceAft wrote:The Chesapeake is one of the places on the east coast that can rival sailing anywhere on the west coast.
Errrr ... yes for gunkholing.
For sailing, not even close!

Depends if you look over the rail at the water "or the rest of the story". I am reserving judgement till I have seen both the Columbia to BC area and the Miami to West End crossing.

TAW02 · Post by **TAW02** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 8:09 am

Québec 1 wrote:So where in Southwest Florida should I put my Mac during the winter (trailer parking)
Q1M

There are many ramps in the area, but the two best ramps for the money are;

1. The ramp at Matlacha Park in Matlacha on state road 78 otherwise known as Pine Island Rd NW. Open from sunrise to 10pm. 15 bucks to launch and store your rig. However you may not separate your beast from the trailer or be fined. Easy access in and out. Park has picnic facilitys and bathrooms. Nice and very clean. BBQ grills too. All newly renovated including fishing pier. Only one ramp but rarely busy except on weekends of course.

2. My favorite place; The county ramp at Harbor Hideway Marina on Barrancas Rd off Stringfellow Road on the northern tip of Pine Island. Rates are about the same as that in Matlacha Park except I believe you can separate and leave your trailer. There is a small convienence store next to the ramp that sells snacks and ice. And since this ramp is 12 miles closer to my cruising locations, I tend to use it more. When cruising areas south like Estero island and Fort Myers/Naples et al, I tend to favor the ramp at Matlacha Park.

Big T

pokerrick1 · Post by **pokerrick1** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 12:44 pm

Frank C wrote:
NiceAft wrote:The Chesapeake is one of the places on the east coast that can rival sailing anywhere on the west coast.
Errrr ... yes for gunkholing.
For sailing, not even close!

Oh, Oh - - - time to get my head examined again - - - Cause I agree with Frank.

It's so gorgeous around here in CA, with soooo many places to go and things to do, that it makes me cry sometimes

Ray (Nice Aft) (Not his, his Admiral's) reminded me in a PM that it's the journey, not the destination that counts for sailors - - - and I agree, but it is still nice to have such fabulous choices if I have time to overnight or longer

Rick

Frank C · Post by **Frank C** » Mon Apr 28, 2008 2:52 pm

Actually, I was making a 'finer' point of the word Sailing. SF Bay is among the ten best "sailing" venues in the world. That's referring to the pure challenge and excitement of harnessing steady winds.

But I'm also somewhat familiar with the mid-Chesapeake area, near Annapolis. I doubt there's any larger or more diverse boating vicinity ... for warm-weather touring, traveling and gunkholing, than the central Chessie. That said, I doubt anyone much enjoys "sailing" the Chessie in late summer. Fortunately the Macs excel at motoring too.

Now forego the "warm-weather" condition (above) and the left coast also has Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands to north. And the Channel Islands off SoCal are a terrific 'wilderness' area for exploring by boat.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Hello Mac Sailors - new to the forum

Hello Mac Sailors - new to the forum

Re: New to Forum and my 2003 X - the X outsails me!

opinions are a great thing.

Re: opinions are a great thing.

Re: opinions are a great thing.

Oh Oh