On sailing to Hawaii

[brent]

I'll repeat this again because it seems to get overlooked no matter how many times I say it. I've seen accounts of trips to Hawaii in boats like the Potter 19 and Merit 25. I've seen far less likely trips in kayaks and rowboats. Roughly speaking, it seems to me that if a WW Potter 19 can make it then so should a Macgregor 26. However, I don't have a Macgregor 26 so I can't really say how accurate this type of reasoning is nor am I the type of person who would buy a boat and try a trip like this a week later.

I brought this topic up originally on a different board where I asked what type of trailerable boat could make the trip to Hawaii and back. The only problem was that none of the responses were for trailerable boats. A boat that has to be sling launched is transportable, not trailerable. I tried very hard to point out that Indiana is not near the ocean and I would need a trailerable boat to be able to sail around here, but to no avail. Some even suggested buying a boat in California, sailing to Hawaii and back, and then selling the boat. I really couldn't see the wisdom in trying to sail an unfamiliar boat on a long trip and without any other suggestions I left that forum. I tried a second forum but found that the posts couldn't be edited after posting and time and again someone would misunderstand my posts. When I saw the futility of posting followup after correction after clarification I gave up on that forum. I haven't found the format to be a problem here like it was on the last board. However, some here have gotten their laughs by suggesting that this was trolling. I guess they assume that I hop around to lots of boards starting provocative threads. However, you won't find any posts by me on any other boat forum since I started posting here.

I know that some people on this forum get their laughs by deriding other people; I suppose this makes them feel superior in some way. Some have pointed out that I don't own a Macgregor 26 and they then go on to suggest that I am some kind of armchair adventurer or, again, perhaps a troll. This isn't quite the case. I am serious about seeing if a Macgregor 26 could make this trip. The reason I am not currently pursuing this is because I am taking care of my wife who is terminally ill with congestive heart failure. She was just enrolled in home hospice care. There will be time to pursue this after she is no longer with me.

A Macgregor 26 is probably the best boat for me whether I take it to Hawaii or not. I like sailing, however, my brother owns a 1962 Crestliner inboard/outboard and the Mac is the only sailboat that can plane. Also, the boat has to be trailerable. I could see sailing in the local lakes, probably Kentucky Lake, and the Great Lakes. I could imagine sailing some of the time and using the Mac as a powerboat at other times. So, even if the Mac can't make a trip to Hawaii it should still be the best boat for me. I'll look at the boat more seriously for offshore once I get one, but I can't say exactly when that will be.

To those who've made a career out of snorting and eyerolling I hope you've gotten a good hearty laugh out of this post. To those who have a more open mind and adult perspective I hope to have something of value to share about the Mac in the future.

[Sloop John B]

Heath, get the lock ready.

[Chip]

I second that motion.

[Chip Hindes]

I'll repeat this again because it seems to get overlooked no matter how many times I say it. I've seen accounts of trips to Hawaii in boats like the Potter 19 and Merit 25.

It hasn't been overlooked, it's simply not relevant. If you're satisfied with the accounts you've read, why ask? Buy a Potter 19 or Merit 25 and have a nice trip to Hawaii.

It seems to me you're not interested in advice, you're looking for everyone to confirm that sure, no problem, sailing a Mac to Hawaii is really a great idea.

That's not going to happen. On this forum, you'll won't get universal agreement nor disagreement, either, on this matter or any other. You may not even get a reasonable consensus.

You're on the wrong forum. You're looking for the one entitled "Those Who Think Sailing a Mac to Hawaii is a Really Good Idea".

There's no doubt some people have gotten pretty nasty about the advice they've offered. That's happened on both sides of this issue. People on this forum are passionate about their opinions; if you ask for them on a controversial subject, be prepared, and develop a thicker skin. It's the price you pay for asking the advice of passionate and opinionated people.

The nastiness of the response doesn't necessarily mean the advice offered is not useful.

In fact, you've already gotten all the original information you're going to get and all you should need. By bringing it up yet again, you'll not get anything new, you'll only get a rehash of all the things that have already been said. And possibly yet a further escalation of the nastiness.

You're proposing something that, as nearly as we can determine, hasn't been done before. You've gotten a ton of relevant information and advice, most of it several times over. Summarize it, evaluate it, decide what's useful and discard what's not; then make your decision and implement it.

This decision is yours. You can't entrust it to voice vote of those on this forum.

If you think what you have already is not enough, then I'll try to break it to you as nicely as I can: You don't know enough about boats, sailing or long distance ocean travel to even consider it. It would be better if you stayed home.

[Frank C]

Heath, get the lock ready.

Nah ... need Mark's little UZI-guy, shootin' at a smilie wth eyes rolling.
THEN, the lock.

[macsailor]

I've watched this topic develope with great interest and finally decided I should write a short note. I have sailed on both oceans , both however in a warship and not a sailboat. When the waves break over the bridge on a destroyer, the last place I'd like to be is in the cockpit of my Mac. Dont get me wrong, I think my X is a great boat and for the most part likely fairly well built, but it's not a blue water cruiser. We have often thought it would be a nice trip tho sail from Thunder Bay Ontario to Duluth. At least you have a lee on the usual windward side . You get out in mid Pacific my friend and all you have to hide behind is your fear when things go bad. When I got mine, friends asked me if I was going to sail around the world. Not in my boat when I can get on a plane and charter when I get there. If you ever decide to do it in a Mac, please keep a journal and let us knoew how it went. It would make some terrific reading I'm sure. Best of luck....Jim in Canada

[brent]

It seems to me you're not interested in advice, you're looking for everyone to confirm that sure, no problem, sailing a Mac to Hawaii is really a great idea.

No, that wasn't what I was looking for. If this causes too much trouble I can stop posting here. Thanks anyway.

[Frank C]

. . . have sailed on both oceans . . . in a warship and not a sailboat. When the waves break over the bridge on a destroyer, the last place I'd like to be is in the cockpit of my Mac ...

That's like a zephyr of air in a cave . . .
must be light somewhere ahead!

[Randy Smith]

Brent, I was not happy with your posts(if you are still here to read this) due to the fact that the answer you needed and wanted was in the first response on the board. I did not mean to offend, yet wanted you to understand that a Mac is not the boat to cross the Pacific in.....could you make it? Likely. Would you want to try?....not intelligent to try.

I am not upset or feel pity if you leave this site. It seems that you can't take the sound advice experieced Mac owners gave you.....

If you stay on this site, you will find intelligent, kind and helpful people who want to talk sense about their boats. Randy

[Chip Hindes]

No, that wasn't what I was looking for. If this causes too much trouble I can stop posting here. Thanks anyway.

Don't go away hurt. It's not too much trouble. Many like to contribute, some like to argue. We frequently get a little testy, we frequently get a little nasty. It's what happens when, at least for some of us, our boats are under a foot or more of snow and there's no actual sailing in the foreseeable future.

As I was trying to point out in my previous post, it's pretty clear you already got exactly what you were asking for: A whole load of advice and info as to why you should or shouldn't sail a Mac to Hawaii.

The subject's been covered. Ad infinitum; for some, ad nauseum. It's hard for many of us to believe that some aspect of the subject hasn't yet been covered.

By bringing it up again, it appears something has escaped, and you didn't get what you were looking for.

So exactly what is it that you were looking for?

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

Brent,

If you are serious then here is my 2 cents worth. A highly experianced sailor can sail anything anywhere. Most of us however are limited. Probably the biggest problem you will encounter (Other than weather) is the route you need to travel encompases the use of the trade winds to propell you there. These winds are typically 30 to 40 knot winds. That will severly overpower the Macgergors. At best you will have to fight the helm the entire way there and at worst, well we won't go there. If you are into extreems then go for it but if you are looking for a nice peaceful adventure this isn't it.

[Frank C]

I'll repeat this again . . . A Macgregor 26

• * is probably the best boat for me whether I take it to Hawaii or not.
  
  * I like sailing . . .
  
  * and the Mac is the only sailboat that can plane.
  
  * Also, the boat has to be trailerable.
  
  * I could see sailing in the local lakes, probably Kentucky Lake, and the Great Lakes.
  
  * I could imagine sailing some of the time and using the Mac as a powerboat at other times.
  
  * So, even if the Mac can't make a trip to Hawaii . . .
  
  * . . . it should still be the best boat for me.

Excellent synopsis!

• . . . So, precisely where IS the problem
  . . . and exactly WHAT is the question;
  . . . again?

Brent, from a quick reading of your own list (quoted above) it sure seems that a "yes or no" regarding Hawaii is the least among your considerations before buying a Mac 26. With very few exceptions, everyone here is willing to help once they understand the problem. Lacking such a clear understanding though, threads can easily wander to nits, jokes and cartoons.

Candidly, I'm not sure you know what your own question really is. Further, that's no surprise. Your circumstance is clearly very stressful, and it's certainly evident why you might want to dream of future wanderings. May I be fortunate enough that MY OWN tests be intense, yet brief.

Sincere regrets, best wishes. Hope you stick around - it might help.

[Terry]

This guy brent has been on this forum before and posted the thread "California to Hawaii" which is now locked. He is on the same rant once again and is likely here to do what he did then, again. I was able to access some of the thread by clicking on page numbers instead of the thread itself. IMVHO he should be ignored.

[Chip Hindes]

The previous thread was locked I believe because it was getting excessively nasty and personal.

What I was trying to accomplish, before this one degenerated into the same name calling, brick throwing melee as the previous threads, was point out that everything was becoming extremely redundant. I wanted to postpone any additional debate on the subject itself until we found out exactly what question Brent was asking and what he was looking for in the way of advice or answers.

Looks like I was not successful, because there are still those who haven't read the whole boatload (pun intended) of previous threads on the subject and are instead sure they're contributing something the rest of us haven't heard before.

[Scott]

Has anyone tried bungee jumping with their Mac??

I was thinking about trying it. A slightly outrageous analogy, yet net impossible, just not entirely practical.

Im sure it can be done however there is probably much better choices of toys to jump with like say a helmet.