Give up Mac 26M for TomCat 6.2 Catamaran

[Andrew Kay]

I have had a Mac 26M for 2 years. The sail speed is no higher than 5 knots. With 50Hp and full water ballast and 4 persons, the speed is no higher than 10 knots. My guests are afraid of the inclination, and there is little flat space to lie down in the open.
I want to switch to a 20 feet Catamaran TomCat 6.2 with 25 hp outboard. I expect to get easier flat sailing with more space, up to 8 persons with large trampoline. I was told the sailing may be faster with 10 knots, and motor speed can be faster to 12 knots with less fuel.
However, I am afraid about safety and capsize. Can anyone with experience with TomCat 6.2 give me advice.

[DLT]

I understand that a catamaran's most stable position is upside down...

I also understand that earlier cruising versions where often on the narrower side, which made it easier to achieve that most stable position...

So, if you want a Cataramaran, make sure its as wide as you can possibly stand...

With that said, I know absolutely nothing about that particular model...

[beene]

If you are only getting 5kts under sail and 10kts under power, with your equipment, I would say either you are doing something wrong, or there is something wrong with your Macs setup.

G

[They Theirs]

Lots of set-up and tuning (Purchase an Admiral =38 or 40 executive? ) before launch, even more getting the box back over the pontoons. This appears to be an open box with tent option, looks quite a puzzle for pack and put together. Super High Trailer…25 h.p. Yamaha?

Same Yacht Dealer has Both boat for sale...Hmmmm?...Salesman?

[Frank C]

I have had a Mac 26M for 2 years. The sail speed is no higher than 5 knots. With 50Hp and full water ballast and 4 persons, the speed is no higher than 10 knots. My guests are afraid of the inclination, and there is little flat space to lie down in the open.
I want to switch to a 20 feet Catamaran TomCat 6.2 with 25 hp outboard. I expect to get easier flat sailing with more space, up to 8 persons with large trampoline. I was told the sailing may be faster with 10 knots, and motor speed can be faster to 12 knots with less fuel.
However, I am afraid about safety and capsize. Can anyone with experience with TomCat 6.2 give me advice.

Hello Andrew, and welcome aboard Heath's forum.
Unfortunately, you didn't give enough info about your 26M, or how you usually use it. For example:

• Which outboard is on your 26M?
  Do you moor it or trailer it?
  Is your normal crew 4, or 8 persons?
  Do you frequently overnight (hopefully not with all 8 )?
  What are your average wind speeds?
  Your average temps overnight temps (TomCat has only a wide-open cockpit)?

We'd need to know your outboard to judge your motoring speed, and we'd need to understand your weather to judge your sailing speed. However, 5 mph under sail isn't terrible speed with 4 crew. Besides, I doubt the TomCat-62 can maintain 10 mph under sail with a crew of 8~! In fact, I'd doubt you can really carry 8 comfortably, you think?

The TomCat-62 simply would not work for me. It appears to need almost total disassembly for trailering, and it has no enclosed cabin for overnighting comfort, much less any privacy. I've seen the larger TomCat-97 at a boatshow, and I judged it much less refined than the competitive Gemini 105.

Sailing a catamaran is a totally different game ... I'd suggest you need to get a test sail to see how you like it. Anyhow, I thought a few pix might help others to understand your questions . . .

[James V]

Interesting cat. Never seen that before. The Mac does have some things thta could be changed to make it better for one or another, but 10 mph under power, hmm something wrong here. Why don't you empty the ballest?

Most people have gotton more than 5 mph under sail. What is the bottom condition of the boat?

For most people, the Mac is a family boat. 4 to 5 people or less (for most of us) and is a good size and price.

[Andrew Kay]

Thank you for all your advices.

I am afraid I am not sailing properly. I always afraid too much inclination. I am happy to listern to experienced Macgregor sailor for advice.

Which outboard is on your 26M?
- Yamaha 50hp 4 stroke outboard, just changed propeller to 14 inch x 11 pitch

Do you moor it or trailer it?
- I moor it in the marina

Is your normal crew 4, or 8 persons?
- Now is 4. However, I like to entertain friends, the more the better

Do you frequently overnight (hopefully not with all 8 )?
- Never overnight

What are your average wind speeds?
- strong in Autumn up to force 5

Your average temps overnight temps
- hot in summer 30C, warm in spring and autumn 20C, chilly in winter 10C.

[hvolkhart]

[/quote]Which outboard is on your 26M?
- Yamaha 50hp 4 stroke outboard, just change propeller to 14 inch x 11 pitch
Do you moor it or trailer it?
- I moor it in the marina
Is your normal crew 4, or 8 persons?
- Now is 4. However, I like to entertain friends, the more the better

"Sleeps 7 and eats 10! We had company and met friends at the marina."

Do you frequently overnight (hopefully not with all 8 )?
- Never overnight

"Have the boat for 1 year and spend ~20 nights. Crew 5 to 7"

What are your average wind speeds?
- strong in Autumn up to force 5
Your average temps overnight temps
- hot in summer 30C, warm in spring and autumn 20C, chilly in winter 10C.

"summer 40C, Spring and autumn 15C, winter lake not accessable because it's frozen"

[Retcoastie]

If you have already done the deal, Good Luck with your new Cat. If you are still thinking, I might suggest you purchase an inclineometer first. It is one of those curved tubes with a ball in it that tells you how far you are tipped over. I was fearful and the wife terrified until I got one. I was always sure we were going to capsize and she was always screaming at me. Then I got to checking the meter, we were only over 8 degrees, relax. Then it went over some more, checked again, only 15 degrees, relax. A Mac sails well at 20 degrees and can take 30 easily. Once I realized what I thought was dangerous was, in fact, tame I settled down. More importantly, so did the wife. We would go over and I'd say 12 degrees or 15 degrees. She wouldn't even look up from her book. Once you know how far you are going over you will start allowing the sails to power up. The boat will tip sure, but the speed and the enjoyment will increase also.
Anyway, fair winds and following seas.

Ken

[eric3a]

..

[acdave]

Andrew,

If you moor the boat......what do you keep on the bottom for antifouling?

Your speed may be low on both sail & power due to fouled bottom?

If you leave boat in water for any length of time you need to treat the bottom of the hull beforehand.....and if the water is prone to fouling you need to clean bottom once in a while to keep it fast.