how often do you use your boat

[Zavala]

Unfortunately, I can't park it outside the house and it won't fit in the garage.

How about a ? They fit...

Life just kinda gets in the way.

It sure can. We've had our Mac for almost eight years, and our useage has gone through several iterations. Some seasons we've literally left it in winter storage because we have brand new mouths to focus on, while some seasons we've practically lived on it.

I'll second some of the thoughts earlier in the string related to having the boat readily accessible. We used ours the most when it was in wet slip just minutes from our house. Presently we keep it on a lake about 30 minutes away -- for $600 a season. Now, I find we use it more for weekend excursions and getaways with the kids.

[Sailfish]

I would like to thank everyone for there input. The comments sound just like what is going on in my head. I know I will use the boat at least twice a week most months but this is a big investment. I have it narrowed down to just what size type motor (leaning to E-TEC 60 HP) and where to store the boat thinking mast up at marina del ray for 85 a month. RichandLori thank you for your offer I might take you up on that I would not mind seeing ventura area from your boat.

[RandyMoon]

This is our first year sailing and we got into the habit of waiting for the weekend. And this can be real limiting when bad weather wipes out your weekend.

Last weekend, it was going to be 20-30 mph winds on Sat and Sun so we decided to try Friday evening. It was great, temp coming down and winds nice and steady. Our first time out in the evening.

While we were out a friend sailed up close to us and said everyone was going to stay on the lake and sail under the harvest moon. We chickened out, having never been out at night and headed back to the marina when the sun was setting.

After we tied Rhapsody up, we stayed around to watch the boats on the lake. I was astonished at how bright it was with the full moon out. We could see across the lake and could see all the boats on the lake. So next time we will be staying out, sailing under the moon. It was cool. With a GPS, it should be fairly easy to get around.

We'll be heading out again this evening. Can't wait.

[ALX357]

if you have an X boat, try night sailing with just the Genoa.
It is safer, i think, without the boom moving across (-accidental jibe possibility), and there is more visibility without the main sail. I have a raised Genoa, but even with it at the standard mounting height, just roll a few feet in, to see under it better. Use the mast's steaming light in addition to the running lights, to illumintate the fore-sail, to more clearly see its shape for luffing and trim, and the light also makes the sail visible from both sides to other boats. If you have rigged a topping lift, use it to raise the boom with furled main up out of the way. The black or dark cover will make it less distractinig. This arrangement makes for a really beautiful experence., very quiet and laid-back. I am not sure how well the M can sail without the main, but the X does pretty well with just the Genoa.
At night, i think the ambience, safety and ease of operation are more important than the highest speed.

As for mast-up storage on the trailer near the ramp, especially for $85, that is great. The dry storage does best for the rigging, and least wear on the boat, no hasssle of fouling on the bottom, and no expense of bottom job painting, and if you are good at launch and retreive, doesn't take that long.

[richandlori]

Sailfish,

The good thing about going out for a sail before you buy would be to get the "true" feel of the Mac, and not be shocked once you shell out the $. I was serious about the offer and it will remail open, as I am always looking for an "excuse" to go sailing. Feel free to bring your wife along as well (if you hvae one) because they need to "buy in" as well to make everyine happy.

My email is listed below in my signature, so feel free to drop me a line and arrange a time.

Rich

[NiceAft]

I bought my 05 Mac last Oct. and had it delivered in May. Since then we have been out on it for five Sundays and a two week period in Lake George. Do I get enough time on the boat? No I don't, but I don't let that bother me. When you buy your boat you have to make up your mind ahead of time to whether on not you will be happy with the sailing time you have. For the last three Fri's. I have had to cancel plans to sail. Maybe next week will be the day? Who knows? The important thing is that I have the boat. It is there when the time will allow me to go out, and I don't have to worry about it. It's kind of like a new version of the salesman's old 3SW rule(some will, some won't, so what!). This vesion is: some days I can, some days I can't, so what! It's better to have the boat and wonder when your next sail day is instead of wondering if you will ever have a sail day on your own boat.

Several weeks ago a person came over to me and said " you must be very proud to own that boat". I am. It sits in my driveway just waiting for me to say "let's go"! Total strangers come over and ask to see it up close. That's a good feeling.




Ray

[RandyMoon]

Since our boat is 20 minutes away in a marina, we are definitely going to rig some air conditioning for next year. There are many families in our sailing club who come out every Friday night and spend the weekend on their boats. There are about 220 slips in our club's marina so it is like a thriving community on weekends. Even if you can't get out sailing, it is fun to be among fellow sailors. Kind of like being on this board.

Several weeks ago a person came over to me and said " you must be very proud to own that boat". I am. It sits in my driveway just waiting for me to say "let's go"! Total strangers come over and ask to see it up close. That's a good feeling.

I love my boat and just love being around it.

[richandlori]

Love at First Sail, that's for sure. I knew I wanted a Mac after 15 minutes of being on one and have had no regrets (ok, maybe I would have liked a white Hull....hides opps better).

Rich

[marc ducharme]

I am in my second season of sailing my 04, so far i have managed to sail on average three times a week, for a total 439kn. I am fortunate that i have the Rae-Lee-Joy in a slip@ 300 a season, only fifteen minutes away from my home and work place, and when the weather is co-operating i will stop in and take her out for one or two hours solo. I have also done weekend camping on a few occasions. As for the boat, i find that it suits our lake 7x90 miles just right, as the deepest part is only around 50". and i can beache it almost anywhere.
The only downside so far is that my season is only 6 Months

As for value it is hard to beat sailing no matter what type of boat you owe.
Of all the things a person can spend their hard earned coin, the Mac is the best bang for my buck.
Dailing ya gota love it.

Fair winds, for great memories

[MAC26X]

One key to getting the most use is accessability. Five years ago we moved to Lake Erie and the Mac is ready and waiting 50' from our back door. I travel during the week but when I'm home we sail every day that the weather cooperates from May through October.

[Randy McCotter]

Well, I bought My 2002 Mac X this past spring and I LOVE it! The steering was Extremely tough but I replaced the cable and it's one finger steering now! At first, I was on the boat 3-4 times a week. The hardest part about sailing was docking in the river berth (right beside Rae-Lee-Joy). The rate is only $300 for the season which is great but the river current is a pain in the butt. I left "Mari-Jacq" there for a month and a half-2 months. After talking to some friends who live a little further down the lake, they said they have a dock that hasn't been used in a few years and I could keep it there for $100/year. This is a wonderful arrangement that I Love. Sure it's another 15-20 minute drive but I'm berthed in a canal with NO current, for 1/3 the cost and I have my own private dock. I think the trade off is definately worth it. I'm on the boat on any day that I have free. Spent a couple of days on it overnight this summer and have solo sailed at least a dozen times. Unfortunately, I have to agree with Marc, the season is too short but I guess that's the price we have to pay.

Marc, when do you plan to take "Rae-Lee-Joy" out for the season? I think another week or 2 and then I'll have to "pull er' out".

Randy McCotter
2002 Mac 26X

[Catigale]

One key to getting the most use is accessability

Says it all!! We trailered the first year and logged about 150 miles total

Next season got a slip and logged 1500 miles....

I also often go out for an hour to watch the sunset, since its <30 minutes front door to leave dock.

[wtelliott]

We got our 26X in late Sept '04 and only got to sail her twice last year. (Lake Superior cools off early). This year we rented a slip in Marquette, MI and are able to sail every weekend and often during the week. Having her in a slip and ready to go is terrific. I actually put my golf membership on hold to slip her. I think it was a wise decision. Finally came up with a name for her... RESPITE, because that is what she is to us.

[ManassasPaul]

I am not sure how relevent my input would be as my ship is a 1980 Mac 25 which allowed me to get in the game without as much upfront investment.

Anyways I bought the "Rosie" back in april, and after finally buying an old truck to tow it; I had it in the water in early June(thereabouts). Since then I have been out in the water 4 times(very busy summer) and hopefully I will have it out at least 2 dozen times between now and the end of next season.

I have to aggree with Mac26X, about accessibility. As it takes about 45 minutes to get to the boat and another 30 minutes or so to get the mast up etc. So it does become a little harder to go out on a spur of the moment, but I do plan on spending at least every other(maybe third) Saturday out on the water, but I do plan on taking some sailing courses under the belt, so I'll have a better feel for what I'm doing.

[Scott]

My boat is slipped 20 mins from my house. From the time I get to the boat I can be motoring out stripping sail covers in around 5 mins.

I use my boat during prime of the season 3-5 time per week. However I have 4 kids and a wife. Darn distractions. I cant sail much until fall soccer is over, then I have to OD on sailing before fall soccer season/college/marathons (Wife) and obligitory yearly vehicle winter preparedness season.

Havent been sailing in 3 weeks due to soccer tourneys/ cross country and mywife training for a marathon.

If we werent so busy at work Id play hooky and sail during the work week.

Anyone want to buy some kids. If you want to buy my wife bring a pickup with a trailer, she has a lot of stuff. ((Just kidding honey)(If you read this))