California to Hawaii?
At this point I can't see any problem with doing it. The biggest problems: water and power were addressed in the other thread. I think using a solar panel for standard power and using a towed generator for peak power would work fine. For example, you could use the towed generator while running the PUR 40 reverse osmosis water unit and then stow the generator to avoid the drag penalty. You would also keep the hand pump PUR 06 unit for backup. Since there is no way to install a shower inside the 26 M it looks like you would have to shower outside using a compressed air sprayer.
Food and medical supplies don't take up that much space. I've been trying to decide if there is enough room to use a cannister liferaft mounted on the roof. If not, I guess it could be set on one of the bunks. I have not figured out if it would be possible to get internet access while traveling. It seems like the movement of the boat would break the satellite lock. I'm also not sure if there is anywhere on the boat that the dish could be mounted.
I have also considered the possibility that sceptics might disbelieve that such a trip took place unless it were part of a race. I've also wondered exactly where the point of infeasibility is reached. For example, if Hawaii were possible would crossing the Atlantic be possible? I can't really imagine sailing around the entire globe in one. I must admit though that I've wondered how long a trip like that would take. Because of having to dodge around continents I've roughly estimated 33,000 miles. At 6 knots it seems like this would take about 230 days sailing. So, one wonders if a trip like this could be done in one year. Actually I can't really see the point of sailing around south america; I'd prefer to skip that part. I tend to think in terms of sailing from the west coast for Hawaii, then Wake, Midway, and Guam. From there south to New Zealand perhaps. Then up the west coast of Africa and across on the trade winds to the east coast.
A trip like that is not as likely because of the time it would take. However, if it is at all possible I'm sure I'll give Hawaii a try.
Food and medical supplies don't take up that much space. I've been trying to decide if there is enough room to use a cannister liferaft mounted on the roof. If not, I guess it could be set on one of the bunks. I have not figured out if it would be possible to get internet access while traveling. It seems like the movement of the boat would break the satellite lock. I'm also not sure if there is anywhere on the boat that the dish could be mounted.
I have also considered the possibility that sceptics might disbelieve that such a trip took place unless it were part of a race. I've also wondered exactly where the point of infeasibility is reached. For example, if Hawaii were possible would crossing the Atlantic be possible? I can't really imagine sailing around the entire globe in one. I must admit though that I've wondered how long a trip like that would take. Because of having to dodge around continents I've roughly estimated 33,000 miles. At 6 knots it seems like this would take about 230 days sailing. So, one wonders if a trip like this could be done in one year. Actually I can't really see the point of sailing around south america; I'd prefer to skip that part. I tend to think in terms of sailing from the west coast for Hawaii, then Wake, Midway, and Guam. From there south to New Zealand perhaps. Then up the west coast of Africa and across on the trade winds to the east coast.
A trip like that is not as likely because of the time it would take. However, if it is at all possible I'm sure I'll give Hawaii a try.
Brent,
Forget the internet or showers, if they are that important stay home or buy a Swan. Stay focused on what is important. You are contemplating the trip useing a boat that is not designed for anything like that. If you are to be successful you have to compensate.
Towed generators were more popular some years ago, but they were not reliable, too many were hit by large fish. If the item was essential, (Towed water maker??), you were in big trouble. Same problem with taffrail logs, but usually they were not essential. If it were me, I would figure out how much water 1 gallon of gasoline would make, run through a small efficient generator such as a Honda or Yamaha 1000. I suspect that you would get 6 or more gallons, as well as 12V power. At that rate you would compensate for the weight of the generator after only one use.
I never met Tristan Jones, but I have been aboard the Sea Dart, and I read all of his books. Even if 80 percent of his stories is bullshit, he still accomplished quite a lot in a small crude boat. No doubt it can be done.
I believe that chief among Gods gifts to us, is the ability to dream and imagine. Most certainly I have spent a lot of time doing both. So go ahead and get with it.
Russ
Forget the internet or showers, if they are that important stay home or buy a Swan. Stay focused on what is important. You are contemplating the trip useing a boat that is not designed for anything like that. If you are to be successful you have to compensate.
Towed generators were more popular some years ago, but they were not reliable, too many were hit by large fish. If the item was essential, (Towed water maker??), you were in big trouble. Same problem with taffrail logs, but usually they were not essential. If it were me, I would figure out how much water 1 gallon of gasoline would make, run through a small efficient generator such as a Honda or Yamaha 1000. I suspect that you would get 6 or more gallons, as well as 12V power. At that rate you would compensate for the weight of the generator after only one use.
I never met Tristan Jones, but I have been aboard the Sea Dart, and I read all of his books. Even if 80 percent of his stories is bullshit, he still accomplished quite a lot in a small crude boat. No doubt it can be done.
I believe that chief among Gods gifts to us, is the ability to dream and imagine. Most certainly I have spent a lot of time doing both. So go ahead and get with it.
Russ
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TampaMac
- Engineer
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 9:03 am
- Location: Port Richey FL 2002-26X Merc 60 4stroke
230 sailing days...
If you are going around the world in a MAC better plan on several years. Anyone going around the world on a sailboat (other than a special built racer) is going to take years.
Back to the 16 year boy who sailed out of I believe King Harbor in the 60s on a 24 foot sailboat, it took him 5 years to get around the world. By then he was married, met her in the South Seas, and I think had a kid. He abandoned the original 24 foot boat in South Africa and National Geographic magazine bought him a 33 foot boat for the final leg.
Could a Mac go around the world. Absolutely. The most important thing in a voyage across the water is the weather. Weather awareness is just a lot better than back in the day. It is nothing to get current satelite data etc. in the middle of the ocean.
Staying in port until you get a weather window for any significant leg would be the key to success.
The 20 mph dash speed would in some cases allow you to beat feet to port in the case of bad weather that pops up. I know with a hurricane being able to track out of the way rapidly even 20 or 30 miles would make an absolutely huge difference in the weather you would experiance.
The most important thing would be to take your time, have a good weather analysis suite in the boat, and have a forecaster helping you pick a weather window for each leg.
I'd have a windvane to steer the boat, a windmill for power, maybe a small solar panel for backup.
As far as water and food? There is more than enough room in the boat for both far in excess of what anyone ever need for any leg. BTW the farthest leg you would have to take in an around the world trip would be the leg from CA to Hawaii.
If you are going around the world in a MAC better plan on several years. Anyone going around the world on a sailboat (other than a special built racer) is going to take years.
Back to the 16 year boy who sailed out of I believe King Harbor in the 60s on a 24 foot sailboat, it took him 5 years to get around the world. By then he was married, met her in the South Seas, and I think had a kid. He abandoned the original 24 foot boat in South Africa and National Geographic magazine bought him a 33 foot boat for the final leg.
Could a Mac go around the world. Absolutely. The most important thing in a voyage across the water is the weather. Weather awareness is just a lot better than back in the day. It is nothing to get current satelite data etc. in the middle of the ocean.
Staying in port until you get a weather window for any significant leg would be the key to success.
The 20 mph dash speed would in some cases allow you to beat feet to port in the case of bad weather that pops up. I know with a hurricane being able to track out of the way rapidly even 20 or 30 miles would make an absolutely huge difference in the weather you would experiance.
The most important thing would be to take your time, have a good weather analysis suite in the boat, and have a forecaster helping you pick a weather window for each leg.
I'd have a windvane to steer the boat, a windmill for power, maybe a small solar panel for backup.
As far as water and food? There is more than enough room in the boat for both far in excess of what anyone ever need for any leg. BTW the farthest leg you would have to take in an around the world trip would be the leg from CA to Hawaii.
Moe, yes if I were singlehanding the cockpit seems best for the liferaft and possible emergency bag with EPIRB and PUR 06 (additional water and rations).
Where would you mount a wind generator on a 26M?
Wouldn't the longest leg be across the Atlantic rather than the Hawaii leg?
I'm a bit puzzled about the years part. Let's see:
west coast -> Hawaii 2400
Hawaii -> Wake 1000
Wake -> Midway 1000
Midway -> Guam 1000
Guam -> Phillipines 1000
Total - 6400
With one day layover at each stop that would put the Phillipines at 50 days at 6 knots. The problem I see at this point is crossing the duldrums then you pick up the southern trade winds south of Asia. I suppose this leg from the Phillipines to the southern tip of Africa would be the most difficult. Then you would have the Atlantic leg. I guess the biggest problem would be the change of season. Obviously you couldn't make this trip during the favorable summer season. However, part of the trip would be below the equator would then reverse the season. So, roughly speaking it seems doable in one year.
Where would you mount a wind generator on a 26M?
Wouldn't the longest leg be across the Atlantic rather than the Hawaii leg?
I'm a bit puzzled about the years part. Let's see:
west coast -> Hawaii 2400
Hawaii -> Wake 1000
Wake -> Midway 1000
Midway -> Guam 1000
Guam -> Phillipines 1000
Total - 6400
With one day layover at each stop that would put the Phillipines at 50 days at 6 knots. The problem I see at this point is crossing the duldrums then you pick up the southern trade winds south of Asia. I suppose this leg from the Phillipines to the southern tip of Africa would be the most difficult. Then you would have the Atlantic leg. I guess the biggest problem would be the change of season. Obviously you couldn't make this trip during the favorable summer season. However, part of the trip would be below the equator would then reverse the season. So, roughly speaking it seems doable in one year.
With two on board, standing watches, most of the time only one will be in the cockpit, singlehanding. Despite that, I think there's room for the life raft, supplies, and a first mate in the cockpit.
A wind generator would probably have to be mounted on the transom with reinforcing plates inside and outside.
I'll leave the trip planning to someone else.
--
Moe
A wind generator would probably have to be mounted on the transom with reinforcing plates inside and outside.
I'll leave the trip planning to someone else.
--
Moe
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Graham Carr
- First Officer
- Posts: 258
- Joined: Tue Feb 10, 2004 9:19 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Sedro-Woolley WA, 2002 26X , Mercury 50hp 4 Stroke Bigfoot "Pauka2"
FYI, Here is a list of a few people that have solo circumnavigated or crossed an ocean. The first I want to mention is Howard Blackburn. This guy lost all of his fingers to frost bite. He was fishing 65 miles off Newfoundland midwinter 1883. He and his partner were separated from the main boat (Gloucester schooner Grace L. Fears) during a snowstorm. They were in a dory. His partner died but Howard finally made it to shore (rowing with frozen hands). In 1901 he crossed the Atlantic in a 25 sloop The Great Republic) in 39 days. No fingers.
The 1st solo Atlantic crossing was in 1876 by Alfred Johnson in a 20 decked over dory called the Centennial
Ase Walter in a 19 dory, the Nautilus in 45 days
Josiah Lawlor crossed in a 15 the Seaa Serpent June 21 1891
Sapolio July 20 1892 in 37 days
The 1st authenticated Atlantic crossing by a woman was Ann Davison in her 23 Felicity Ann
The smallest boat to cross the Atlantic was Hugo Vihlen in April Fool at a length of 5-11 x 5 beam taking 84 days.
The 1st authenticated solo circumnavigation was by Joshua Slocum in Spray 37 long. According to Joshua his boat was a 100 years old when he got her.
Some other circumnavigations were:
Alfred Kallies 65-69 in a 25
John Sowden ; 67-70 in a 24 : Solveig 3
John Guzzioell 55-59 in a 21 Trekka He use the same cotton sails for the whole journey.
Then the 16 year old Robin Lee Graham started in 1965 in his 24 stock named Dove and completed in a stock Luders 33 named The return of the Dove at age 24 ending in his home port five years later. He had a wife and daughter. The journey lasted 33,000 miles.
More recently, Frank Guernsey sailed his Lapworth 24 Gladiator, "Cestus" from Redondo Beach, California to Punta del Este, Uruguay, via Cape Horn on a 128-day non stop voyage with no motor.
This same model is reported to have sailed to Hawaii in 15 days
The list goes on. Several of the above boats were home-built. Is 26X big enough for gear? I think so. Is she tough enough, we will not know until it is done. I feel it would be wise to strengthen some of the systems. As we all know timing is everything. I crossed the Atlantic from England to New York landing Oct 27 on the Queen Mary. All I can say is it was 5 long days of rough hard seas and I was sick just about the whole time but I did have fun. But I would not want to be in that in a small boatI dont think.
The 1st solo Atlantic crossing was in 1876 by Alfred Johnson in a 20 decked over dory called the Centennial
Ase Walter in a 19 dory, the Nautilus in 45 days
Josiah Lawlor crossed in a 15 the Seaa Serpent June 21 1891
Sapolio July 20 1892 in 37 days
The 1st authenticated Atlantic crossing by a woman was Ann Davison in her 23 Felicity Ann
The smallest boat to cross the Atlantic was Hugo Vihlen in April Fool at a length of 5-11 x 5 beam taking 84 days.
The 1st authenticated solo circumnavigation was by Joshua Slocum in Spray 37 long. According to Joshua his boat was a 100 years old when he got her.
Some other circumnavigations were:
Alfred Kallies 65-69 in a 25
John Sowden ; 67-70 in a 24 : Solveig 3
John Guzzioell 55-59 in a 21 Trekka He use the same cotton sails for the whole journey.
Then the 16 year old Robin Lee Graham started in 1965 in his 24 stock named Dove and completed in a stock Luders 33 named The return of the Dove at age 24 ending in his home port five years later. He had a wife and daughter. The journey lasted 33,000 miles.
More recently, Frank Guernsey sailed his Lapworth 24 Gladiator, "Cestus" from Redondo Beach, California to Punta del Este, Uruguay, via Cape Horn on a 128-day non stop voyage with no motor.
This same model is reported to have sailed to Hawaii in 15 days
The list goes on. Several of the above boats were home-built. Is 26X big enough for gear? I think so. Is she tough enough, we will not know until it is done. I feel it would be wise to strengthen some of the systems. As we all know timing is everything. I crossed the Atlantic from England to New York landing Oct 27 on the Queen Mary. All I can say is it was 5 long days of rough hard seas and I was sick just about the whole time but I did have fun. But I would not want to be in that in a small boatI dont think.
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Randy Smith
- First Officer
- Posts: 254
- Joined: Mon Oct 11, 2004 11:31 am
- Location: "Breezy" 26X Boardman,Or
Brent......I love my 1996 26X....can't imagine another boat for what I do with her. I live on the mighty Columbia River.....she is perfect for beaching, cruising, motoring and sailing. I too wondered early on about an ocean crossing. No way. Though she is strong and well built, she is not built for the big water pounding. She is not meant for that job. Examples, simple and with respect.....would you haul wood in a Porshe or a Chevy? Would you take your wife to anniversary dinner at McDonald's or a steak house? You could haul wood in a Porshe, you could go to a nice dinner at McDonald's......but what is the better situation and decision for the occasion? Ocean passage requires an ocean going boat.....the Mac is fabulous for what it is......an wonderful boat, as mentioned by others, for its designed uses........ 
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Frank C
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Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
- Admiral
- Posts: 1006
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Oconomowoc, WI
Can a Mac make it to Hawaii? Yes, if everything goes right.
However, IMHO, anyone that has gone through a storm at sea would not seriously consider a trip such as taking a Mac to Hawaii.
In 1977, on a 36' sailboat, I promised Poseidon that if I made it safely through a storm, I would not get back on a sailboat in this lifetime.
And I did not, until 1991, taking into account the statute of limitations, the definition of "lifetime", that I was under extereme duress when I made the promise, there were no witnesses, I had my fingers crossed, and Poseidon had probably forgotten about it by then.
However, IMHO, anyone that has gone through a storm at sea would not seriously consider a trip such as taking a Mac to Hawaii.
In 1977, on a 36' sailboat, I promised Poseidon that if I made it safely through a storm, I would not get back on a sailboat in this lifetime.
And I did not, until 1991, taking into account the statute of limitations, the definition of "lifetime", that I was under extereme duress when I made the promise, there were no witnesses, I had my fingers crossed, and Poseidon had probably forgotten about it by then.
I've camped in a 30' travel trailer, in the back of a stock van, and in a tent. You would need something like a 36' Catalina to have the comforts of a 30' TT, however, the 26 would be better than a stock van or tent. In terms of comfort, a 26 would be roughly equivalent to a pop-up.
A storm wouldn't be a fun place to be, however, I wouldn't expect the 26 to fall apart. Any boat designed for planing should be able to handle the stress of heavy seas. I can't imagine trying to pilot in a big storm so all sails furled with a drogue from the bow seems the most practical. The safest would be to remain in the cockpit tethered until the storm abated but it wouldn't be fun.
The 26 isn't designed as a racing boat so it doesn't really seem like a Porsche. It isn't designed like a barge or cargo vessel so it doesn't really seem like a truck. Minivan perhaps? And, a one ton sailboat with hand layed up fiberglass is hardly a hamburger. Which would you rather have, an honest discussion about real merits and flaws or a hasty generalization based on extreme and unrelated analogies?
A storm wouldn't be a fun place to be, however, I wouldn't expect the 26 to fall apart. Any boat designed for planing should be able to handle the stress of heavy seas. I can't imagine trying to pilot in a big storm so all sails furled with a drogue from the bow seems the most practical. The safest would be to remain in the cockpit tethered until the storm abated but it wouldn't be fun.
The 26 isn't designed as a racing boat so it doesn't really seem like a Porsche. It isn't designed like a barge or cargo vessel so it doesn't really seem like a truck. Minivan perhaps? And, a one ton sailboat with hand layed up fiberglass is hardly a hamburger. Which would you rather have, an honest discussion about real merits and flaws or a hasty generalization based on extreme and unrelated analogies?
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Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
- Admiral
- Posts: 1006
- Joined: Sat Jan 10, 2004 7:28 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Oconomowoc, WI
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Frank C
Just to clarify:brent wrote:
- * I've also wondered exactly where the point of infeasibility is reached.
* For example, if Hawaii were possible would crossing the Atlantic be possible?
* I can't really imagine sailing around the entire globe in one.
* I must admit though that I've wondered how long a trip like that would take.
* Because of having to dodge around continents I've roughly estimated 33,000 miles.
* At 6 knots it seems like this would take about 230 days sailing.
* So, one wonders if a trip like this could be done in one year.
* With one day layover at each stop that would put the Phillipines at 50 days at 6 knots.
* The problem I see at this point is crossing the duldrums then you pick up the southern trade winds south of Asia.
* I suppose this leg from the Phillipines to the southern tip of Africa would be the most difficult.
* Then you would have the Atlantic leg. I guess the biggest problem would be the change of season.
* Obviously you couldn't make this trip during the favorable summer season.
* However, part of the trip would be below the equator would then reverse the season.
* So, roughly speaking it seems doable in one year.
* For me this is a hypothetical discussion.
* I've never seen a MacGregor 26 in person so I don't have a fully formed idea about taking one to Hawaii.
* At this point, I could decide to get something else or I could decide to get a 26 and not take it to Hawaii.
- * You've never yet even seen a Mac 26X?
* You need to buy it in Indiana and then get it the West Coast.
* This dictates a trailerable as your vessel of choice for circumnavigating?
* You've saved a cat from 50' up, but your brother's rock climbing is too risky?
* But you don't think ocean crossing is any more risky than camping in a 30' trailer?
Sure, that sounds reasonable. You aren't implying that you've not rec'd valid feedback, are you?brent wrote: . . . Which would you rather have, an honest discussion about real merits and flaws or a hasty generalization based on extreme and unrelated analogies?
WADR, if you feel the contributions above have not discussed "real merits" then you haven't read closely enough. Practically speaking, there's not much more that a discussion forum can offer than you've already seen. It's unreasonable to become insulted if some comments question your wisdom. If Columbus could do it, you can too. But, "hasty" IS one term that comes to mind at the moment.
Fair winds!