Everyone Insults the MacGregor

[npatterson]

Thanks everyone for the sound advice. I did alot of research and it seems the rigging is set correctly for the Mac. 26M. I guess most of these guys never owned a Macgregor so they think it should be rigged like their Hunter. I did finally run into an X Macgregor owner and he said it was rigged correctly and that we are going to have great fun on the boat!! Even though it's cold, we are out every weekend

[baldbaby2000]

I sure wouldn't change the rigging. Maybe buy a gauge and check the tension. Be careful not to get things too tight. I think the fact that the 26M is water ballast and very tender (heels easy) means that the light rigging is fine. I've never broken anything on mine and have been out with 40 knot gusts. A few days ago I was sailing in 30+ knot winds with a Potter and a Catalina 25.

[richandlori]

BS on them. A MacGregor 26M or X could have done this years Baja Ha-ha and been just fine.

There was a Mac 65 that made the trip and I'll post some photos and video soon.

Rich
From marina Palmira, La Paz B.C.S.
www.svthirdday.com

[James V]

Please be caerful taking advice from other makes of sail boats. If you tightened the rigging too tight it will break something. It is just not the way the boat is designed to be. Before changing a stock item on a Mac, Be careful, you might breack something else.

Some people are mean and snobs. I sure you have some around you. Some good and well meaning as well. I try to mantain the peace but with respect for my boat. Try to pick their brains(spelling???) on small boat stuff compaired to big boat.

[DaveB]

Don't worry be happy!
Look at stay adjusters ..both sides should be equal at first..(just 1/8 pin change makes a big diffrence)
Mac's don't have bulkheads to reinforce side stays (shrouds) and rely on Mast and spreader deflection and will flex the hull.
So beating to windward there should be a flex in the upper and lower stay in winds over 9 knots (Leeward) and more flex until you reef.
There is a bunch of adjustments you can make but only after you learn basic rigging .
Dave
These hulls do flex with load conditions, so bal. standing rigging to such.

Well, I'm a new owner of the 26M and have it docked in a slip. Every day I'm out working on the boat other sailors come by and pull on the rigging and keep saying I should change it, tighten it...redo the entire thing.

Should I listen to these guys? Most of them have sailed for years but everyone of them have either a Hunter or Benatueau (spelling) sailboat.

[dennisneal]

richandlori,

Quote:

"A MacGregor 26M or X could have done this years Baja Ha-ha and been just fine."

I agree.

While not everyone is a snob, it seems that the Baja Ha-ha group are discriminating, as the rules prevent a Mac 26 M, or X, from entering.

Q) What sort of boats can enter the Ha-Ha?
A) The event is open to all boats over 27 feet that were designed, built and have been maintained for open ocean sailing. If you’re not sure your boat fits that criteria, get a trip survey from a marine surveyor. While most boats will be carrying SSB radios, they are not required, as the VHF relay system for roll calls has worked very well over the years. But you’ll want to go over all your safety equipment and procedures carefully. (Powerboats are also welcome.)

[AWKIII]

Sailors are a strange lot.

I have spent more time at yacht club bars over the years than I care to remember.

When it comes to boats, the conversations are always the same. The MacGregor is cannon fodder for everyone including the kid who does the dishes in the back. Hunters, Catalinas and Beneteaus are dream boats for their owners but a couple tables away you have a group of idiots ripping these boats apart. And the food chain continues onward and upwards.

I have never quite understood this behavior. It is childish, cruel and serves no purpose other than to inflate someone's ego or self-importance.

There is no perfect boat and there never will be. I can be totally unbiased and rip apart the Mac. But I can also do that with a Hunter, Catalina or Beneteau. I have sailed on both Intrepid and Courageous. Was lucky enought to take the helm on Courageous for a very short time. These two boats are like sports heros for me. However, I'd bet most people don't know 12 meters handle like pigs.

The reality is this behavior will never change. All you can do is USE and ENJOY your boat and not worry about what others say. There is no sense in moving to a different boat as there will always be another group of yo yo's who will get their jollies ripping on it.

[pokerrick1]

The reality is this behavior will never change. All you can do is USE and ENJOY your boat and not worry about what others say. There is no sense in moving to a different boat as there will always be another group of yo yo's who will get their jollies ripping on it.

Hear, Hear (Here, Here?).

Rick

[richandlori]

richandlori,

Quote:

"A MacGregor 26M or X could have done this years Baja Ha-ha and been just fine."

I agree.

While not everyone is a snob, it seems that the Baja Ha-ha group are discriminating, as the rules prevent a Mac 26 M, or X, from entering.

Q) What sort of boats can enter the Ha-Ha?
A) The event is open to all boats over 27 feet that were designed, built and have been maintained for open ocean sailing. If you’re not sure your boat fits that criteria, get a trip survey from a marine surveyor. While most boats will be carrying SSB radios, they are not required, as the VHF relay system for roll calls has worked very well over the years. But you’ll want to go over all your safety equipment and procedures carefully. (Powerboats are also welcome.)

ha ha ha...there were several 26ft boats that made this hrs Ha-ha...and honestly...Richard would let just about any boat in the rally if the OWNERS demonstrated the ability regardless of their boat!

And really...there were some home buily tri's that are in NO WAY more blue water than the Mac..and had fun in the Ha-ha they did! In fact, there is one right next to me now in Marina Palmira. They are great people and having a blast down here when if they listened to the "Experts" they should be dead for even thinking about the trip they just made!

What you really need in a cruising boat is 95% Bravo Sierra Folks...sometimes I think intended to make it sound harder than it really is to keep the anchorages quiet for themselves or to make it sound like they (be cruisers) have done something really hard and for only the brave! BS again...my 10yr old stood watch for heavens sake, and one of my crew was a lady that had NEVER SAILED At NIGHT BEFORE and she had a great time. Don't buy into the Glossy Cruising Mag image of what it is like, what boats are out here, or how hard it is...ha ha ha..heck...I'm a complete idiot...and Here I am in La Paz!

When My Baja Ha-ha DVD is ready for release (hey..I'm taking a break from working on it now by posting in the Mac Forum) all my MacForum buddies will get a discount to make up for the Macgregor abuse!

Rich
The Village Idiot, who made it to La Paz
www.svthirdday.com

[James V]

You are right.

I new defination for a cruising boat-

The boat you are cruising on.

[delevi]

In contrast, many people at my marina compliment my boat. The snobbery I get is typically from people who race on other people's boats and don't actually own one.

Leon

[frisbee_ten]

I have built a healthy respect for Roger MacGregor's masterpiece. No boat as strong--which is as light... I cut two holes for window ports, one on the starboard side just above the head, and the other directly behind the ladder leading to the cockpit. Still no hull integrity problems.

Here's further evidence. I had my Honda 50 outboard crap out on me. The wind blew me a good 25 yards at about four knots into the end of a dock. I was terrified of the potential for damage. Other then a (very) few cosmetic stress cracks located where I hit (where the shrouds connect to the hull), there was absolutely no damage. I wouldn't go out in a hurricane in my Mac M, but have absolute confidence it would beat out many other bay or near coast boat hulls for integrity!

[cmeperform]

I stayed in Southport North Carolina 2 months & many sailboat owners just come by & said 'my what a beautiful boat'.

[irayone]

I have been a California Coastal cruiser since I was a kid...Now 50 and have sailed lots of boats and powered lots of powerboats.
Trading in my Pearson 385 for a Mac. It's the perfect cruiser for the California Coast. Since I am a cheap SOB and like to conserve fuel and use the wind to get there. Head out of Morro Bay to a weekend anchored at Pirates Cove... I can drop in at Gaviota and be surfing the Holister Ranch in minutes. Launch at Long Beach and cruise to Catalina or any of the Channel Islands. Cocktial cruising Balboa Island. Cost me penny's in comparison. The question is ....Do you want to buy a new boat with all the trimmings or do you want to pay about the same costs in dock fees ?

[markaram]

I think that AWK111 is right on
in saying that sailors are a bit of a strange lot.
Ego is a big thing for a lot of people and the performance etc.
of one's sailboat will trigger a lot of ego in certain people.
same with fast cars and muscle, exotic cars.
people want to race you all the time if you happen to own
a fast car.
ditto for any kind of sailboat pretty much.
its racing all the way baby!!
and if not speed than luxurious accomodations are just
next in line of importance.
well there are polite ways to deal with agressive and critical
marina neighbours.
how about :
sometimes we need to get back for dinner
and can cruise at 15 knots under power in my Mac26.

We pay nothing for slip fees as my boat is at home near my
workshop.

You should do whats right for your boat eh??
or I could say
see you out there ...

and sail a broad reach past them waving
when it happens some time later.

markaram
M21







markaram