How Much Time Spent Sailing

[Crikey]

Well we finished the lazy jacks and bimini today so the list does get shorter after all! Now if I can only put the rudders back together (hydraulics), we can head for lake Ontario and a much deserved dose of liquid freedom. If I could only figure out a way to snowbird to 'd'n unda' from our top end, I'd have it made in the shade!

Thanks for the chin up.....

Ross

[pokerrick1]

when I'm home its always raining being as such my fricking grass is about 18" high
J

Get a GOAT

Rick

[pokerrick1]

You don't want to hear how much I went out my 2 1/2 years slipped at Marina Del Rey

Rick

[NiceAft]

You're Right

Ray

[dreamer]

18''grass...8''fenders...4ft bowsprit... always bragging about how long things are. What's next, John?
Seriously though keeping up with the grass this year is unreal.
I had the boat out on the water 33 days last year with about 14 overnighters. I trailer all the time, it gets easier and faster. Despite the rain I managed to get out 5 times so far this year with 2 overnighters on Victoria day week-end. (nothing compared to yukonbob) This weekend is looking beautiful, I'll be sailing from Port Credit to Toronto spending Saturday night at Ontario Place...I better get that grass cut

[Phil M]

Phil and Crikey we live a long way from worthwhile water but being retired plan for larger trips and get things done at home, have someone check for must do's or live in but mostly forget home (literally) for 3-4-5 months a year.
You have the opportunity like we have in five and a bit years we have lived in the boat probably 2 plus years land and water, even though the admiral is not keen on sailing, make the most of your opportunities it is the best possible boat for all activities.
Mostly in between trips here it is impractical to sail so we travel 3-10 hr's to water or in some cases weeks across the country but it's all been good just time now to see the desert country with a bit of fishing along the way .

Boblee, perhaps I misunderstand you, but you are saying that out of the five previous years you have spent over two years on the water in your Macgregor? You spend that much time on the water, and yet your admiral is not keen on sailing?

Is there something special in the drinking water down there?

Phil M

[Crikey]

Sometimes it's not about being out sailing that's relevant (though that is close!), it is managing to find the time (after mowing) to just go to your marina and hang out floating in your berth. Chillin...... Often many of the times we've gone to 'get out for a bit' the wind or water have been too contrary, so it translates into cleaning, snoozing or socializing - not thinking about chores or work.
I've even been known to practice 'reefing the main' while in port.

[DaveB]

I live in SW Florida and cruise year round but mainly fall, winter and spring for two weekends a mo. and once a weekend June, July and August (too hot).
We Trailer Sail and usually do 2-4 days at a time and over to the Keys 5-6 days.
Dave

Out of the 52 weeks in a year, probablly less than 6 weeks are actually spent on the water. It is what it is for me. How much time do others spend on their Macs?

Phil M

[Mac26Mpaul]

Me and the wife had the conversation - at what point does it not become worth owning the boat if you factor in cost of ownership vs how much you use it. I'm sure its cheaper their in the US but here in the land of Oz insurance and registrations equate to about 1000 bucks a year. Then you have to factor in maintanence, however there really isnt too much to that especially if you keep your boat in the backyard (a lot of polish and wax trying to keep those dang racoon stripes looking okay maybe...)

But the reality is, even if we only used this boat once a year to go on a one week family holiday on the water, we are saving a heap of dollars. For instance, there is an island about 20 miles off shore or so here called Moreton Island where you can rent a holiday home for a week for say 2 to 5 thousand dollars! We can go there in the Mac and spent nothing on accomodation, and less on food too as we BBQ on the boat a lot more than we would if we stayed on shore.

Sailing itself, we dont do much of now, because the kids are too young and get in the way so the mast stays at home for day trips (I have a clinker wooden dinghy to sail on the side ) but then this was obviously part of the appeal of this boat.

We probably do 25-30 trips on the water per year, most day trips, but perhaps 5 to 10 overnighters or longer. For that amount of use, its a bargain holiday home that saves us a fortune on family holidays we would otherwise have to try and find money for

Anyway, I must be off. It is unfortunately, racoon waxing day today....
Paul

[Crikey]

Wait a minute!

You don't have racoons in 'stralia. Not fair with the weather either......

(just an old expat! - and yes things are very expensive there..)

[Mac26Mpaul]

Well there seems to be a 26 foot one living in my backyard.

Weather... Yeah we got that in my part of the country for sure. Middle of winter now, but I just went out to polish my racoon and found the sun beatin down on that black has just made it too hot - polished all the stainless instead though....

Everything expensive, yeah we certainly got that, A Mac with all the options here is about 65 to 70 grand, and our dollar is worth more than yours( for the time being anyway).

Anyway, I'm off for a sail in the dinghy

Paul

[Boblee]

LOL Phil no ''we have lived in the boat two plus years" half or most of that has been on land travelling to water, eg we would take 2-3 weeks to get to the gulf depending on what we find on the way, actual sailing time is very little but did get plenty in last year with a couple of mates in the Kimberlies without the Admiral
Would have been great to do more sailing and exploring more places along the coast but would need a new missus for that.

[Phil M]

But the reality is, even if we only used this boat once a year to go on a one week family holiday on the water, we are saving a heap of dollars. For instance, there is an island about 20 miles off shore or so here called Moreton Island where you can rent a holiday home for a week for say 2 to 5 thousand dollars! We can go there in the Mac and spent nothing on accomodation, and less on food too as we BBQ on the boat a lot more than we would if we stayed on shore.
Paul

That's a good point. I have chartered sailboats off the west coast of Canada/US (Gulf Islands, San Juan Islands) for approximately $3500 for the week. Mind you, the admiral was impressed with the room and spaciousness, especially in the galley, the rear berth, the cabin, etc.
Now that I have a bbq on my Mac, and an auto-pilot (the chartered boats did not have auto-pilot), I am relatively pleased.
I could not afford a yearly three or four week sail on the ocean if I had to charter.

Waxing in the middle of winter? Ha! Try that up in Canada. Your brass monkey would be frozen solid.

Phil M

[Crikey]

Don't you mean a pair of frozen brass monkey's?

Ask an Aussie if he's ever pee'd and watched it freeze before hitting the ground, and he'll look at you dumbfounded. Funny, I thought snow was neat when I came in '67.

Ross

[Mac26Mpaul]

Snow? That would be a problem,, as the wife pointed out to me yesterday - I dont even own any long pants

and I replied, "well what can I say, life is good "