are mac gregors open ocean boats?

[rygobus]

I have heard that Macs were not for use on open ocean. Yet I see the factory video with one on open water . I sure would like some input from anyone that knows.
Thanks Scotty

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Open ocean as in a few miles off shore like in the video, sure no problem. Crossing oceans, no way. The run off shore to Catalina has been done by hundreds of macs, many have crossed from Florida to the Bahamas with no problems, but don't plan to sail to Hawaii in one. (Although in the perfect weather window the boat would certainly make it.) Open ocean distances measured in ten's of miles and hours is not an issue when the boat is operated by a prudent captain. Open ocean distances with many zero's taking many days is not what the boat is built for.

[Sumner]

.....Open ocean distances with many zero's taking many days is not what the boat is built for..........

.....nor for that matter over 90% of other sailboats of equal length.

Bucko......



....did sail an.....



.... older S from Calif. to Panama.....

http://lbucko.tripod.com/index.html

...not me though ,

Sum

Our Trips to..

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[rwmiller56]

It also depends on the location. Typically, the seas are much calmer off Southern Calif/LA Basin, as compared to San Francisco, just outside the Golden Gate. It can be treacherous in that area. Breaking waves over the bar, large swells, high winds and dangerous rocks.

This is what can happen outside the Golden Gate if you go out when conditions are bad. This was a 33 ft keel boat, and an experienced crew.
http://blogs.sfweekly.com/thesnitch/201 ... _beach.php

Since I live in this area, my answer would be, no, the Mac is not an open ocean boat.

[bubba]

Sailing a Mac off shore requires knowing exactly hour to hour what the weather forcast is when doing a crossing or exposure to big swells. Usually an experenced fearless crew is needed with proper safety gear like heavy duty PFD's with safety harnesses attached to the boat for those big roge waves that happens. In light breezes and big ocean swells of over 10 ft our Mac's don't have enough sail power to climb them without using the motor, I am told.

[Sumner]

It also depends on the location. Typically, the seas are much calmer off Southern Calif/LA Basin, as compared to San Francisco, just outside the Golden Gate......

Generally that is true, but just in the last week or so an experienced sailor sailing back from Catalina in high winds and seas was lost (the last report I saw).

Of course it can get bad about anywhere given the .....

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... ll-09.html

...right conditions. Just be careful and don't skimp on the safety gear and the anchoring gear,

Sum

Our Trips to..

Our Mac Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[pokerrick1]

NO Absolutely NOT IMHO.

Rick Less

PS And what Duane said.

[Catigale]

No. It is a lightly built trailerable hybrid power sailor designed for inland lakes and coastal cruising.

[dennisneal]

What's your definition of "open ocean"?

Is it crossing the North Atlantic from Maine to Ireland in January?

Is is crossing from Marina Del Rey, under favorable conditions, to Catalina, (which is about 30 KM over open ocean)?

In the first case, I would say NO!

In the second, I would say YES!

Dennis

[John McDonough]

The Macgregor M or X would be OK until the first big wave broke off the centerboard & rudders.
Out of contoll and at the mercy of the seas, another big wave and capsizing would probably cause the mast to break off. At this point, secure the hatches. hope the positive floatation works and wait for a rescue.

[nedmiller]

NO

SILK

[pokerrick1]

Is is crossing from Marina Del Rey, under favorable conditions, to Catalina, (which is about 30 KM over open ocean)?

When you state it this way - - - - I get scared that I did it so many times

Rick Less

[Boblee]

With the Mac if you work the weather and tides right you could go just about anywhere BUT if you are in a hurry and underprepared stick to the coastline and max 50km ocean crossings between shelter.
We will be sailing around our Kimberly coastline with 9+ m tides and good winds but will not be pressured for time so hopefully I will be back later .
If you class an open ocean boat as one that can handle a circumnavigation or regular ocean crossings in all weather no the Mac is not in any way suitable in it's basic form.

[dvideohd]

9M tides are WHOPPERs.....

In the long run, that will be an area for power and desalinization - in surreal amounts.... Enjoy while it is still quiet!!

[Nautek]

Most boats are capable of bluewater cruising
It is the guy at the tiller that is the problem
You only have to look at some of the voyages that have been undertaken.

Most people say no the boats are not capable but in fact it is the person that is not as they don't have the confidence

Allan