New potential owner - many questions

[GART]

Hi Gary
Firstly do not take too much notice of the posters on the YBW website, there are a lot of people on there who are only too quick to criticise the Mac without any experience of one. I have not met or mailed an owner who does not like them. I own a 26X and keep it on the south coast at Chichester, the previous owner kept in on the coast in North Wales. I launched my 26x in June and have been very impressed, reading the reports on its sailing ability I was very concerned, but am quite happy with the performance. It goes to windward better than my previous boat (Dockrell 22) it is designed as a trailer sailor and it is easy to launch & recover, raise the mast etc. on my own, off of a beach BUT it has taken me 3 hours each time I have done it. Therefore it is not suitable for day sailing.
There is an 8 knot speed limit in Chichester harbour and at a quoted 25 litres an hour at full throttle I have only opened it up once to get over the bar outside the harbour against a 4 knot tide, speed over ground on GPS was 15 knots.
The boat floats in eight inches of water, but remember that is with the centreboard, rudders and engine raised, you need 3 feet of water to use the rudders. And a couple of feet if steering on the engine with rudders raised. It is a lightweight boat and uses simple and cheap fittings. There is a lack of storage but this can be corrected just look at the modifications on this site.
My Mac does what I want of it, it is relatively cheap to run, does not need much maintenance; I can bring it home for the winter. It sails ok for me, I am not into racing, I like the non sinkable, self righting aspects, the standing headroom, and the separate toilet compartment even if it is rather small. I have no intention of crossing oceans; I sail during the day and anchor at night. I have never been more than 15 miles from a safe harbour – which is only an hour with the motor if need be. I sail single handed most of the time, exploring drying creeks and harbours in the Solent.
This is a great site, free, and the Mod’s section is awesome what some people do with their Mac’s.
I hope this helps
Graham

[Russ]

Gary,
Most criticism of the Mac comes from the ass hats at Sailing Anarchy, most of which don't actually own boats and feel racing is the only use for a sailboat. I have gotten repeated compliments about our boat from people in our marina. While anchored in a quiet cove this summer, a seadoo came in, circled us a couple of times and said, "Very nice boat" and drove off.

The Mac isn't a racer, but it's a really good cruising sailboat. For the money you can't beat it. Nothing is as large inside for a 26' trailerable, which comes in handy when you need to go below. Having all that power on the back is a nice feeling. Last year we towed a powerboat in distress back home.

And as mentioned above, this site and the folks here are a fantastic resource. In fact I bought our Mac sight unseen based on the information I found here.

--Russ

[Gary N]

Firstly do not take too much notice of the posters on the YBW website, there are a lot of people on there who are only too quick to criticise the Mac without any experience of one.

I don't take any notice at all. In fact I tend to want to dig a lot deeper to find out what is upsetting so many people. It seems to me that within the traditional sailing community there is a set of traditional metrics that need to be met to gain acceptance. These appear to be entry price, full sea state and wind strength sailing capability and a distinct line between sailboats and powerboats, etc. As the MAC doesn't tick some of the boxes and crosses some of the lines, I can only assume that it must be seen as a threat to many people. I suppose that when you add in the extra boxes that the MAC does tick, you have a very threatening thing to some people. It's a funny old world.

[BrazDaz]

Hi Garry

I bought a Mac M a few weeks ago that needed a little TLC and couldn't be happier.
I launch it at the local ski boat ramp and tow the kids around on a ski biscuit for a while then go sailing. I always get great comments from the locals. If the people around are knocking your boat find another crowd to hang around.
I heard someone say a few years ago
"People mock what they don't understand"
I have noticed that it has been proven true time and time again.

[skeedaddy]

I love the sailing experience I am getting from my 92 Mac 26S !!!

I raced Hobies for a few years, but that's a totally different breed of sailing and sailors. Not better or worse, just different.

I bought this fairly rough, used monohull and have used it as my personal test bed for sails, electronics, motors, cooking and pure cruising satisfaction. I can't pull a skier with my Mac because my motor is only 9hp, but I've got a 26' sailboat with no wet slip and don't need any help to go sailing by myself or with my wife and two young kiddos. Plus, it was really hard to get a newbie on my Hobie as you really need people with experience to crew with you. I can literally put anyone on my Mac and even give them the tiller. I love it and so do they!

I've taken a number of ASA courses and have applied all of it to my Mac. Plus, I own the thing outright (not rich, just good pricing) and can put it in the water anytime I want. I'm also learning all the different types of set ups while sailing solo (think Spinnaker, stay sails, sitting down in the cabin making lunch while the tiller is made fast...i couldn't do any of these things on my Hobie...again, just different sailing).

It's a resiliant boat in that it's not brittle or fragile. It's a safe boat in that i've had 5 kids on it all under the age of 6 without harm, danger, or injury (life jackets of course!). And it's still a fun boat in that my Hobie buddies and I are still trying to sail it through a "knock-down". (you may find that shocking. we find it awesome!!!)

I'd recommend the Mac to anyone. I do hope to get a larger, sailboat one day, and I'll have to leave the Mac family at that time. But that will be based on size, not preference or ease of use. I miss all the Hobies I've had and will miss this wonderful Mac one day, too!!!