MacGregorSailors.com

Steve, The Mac.X is finger touch with the wheel, if you disconnect the motor arm. You can feel the balance very well. Most X or M's don't disconnect that arm and all you need to do is pull out the pin.
Disconnecting the motor arm pin will alow you to feel the rudders much like a tiller so you can tell how well your sails are adjusted.Improves speed and Sail trim.
Dave

Steve K wrote:TIA,


I never could get used to the wheel steering on the X. I thought it would be cool, but then I found myself missing the tiller. I get good feedback from a tiller and have a better sense of the steering, particularly during tacks.

Best breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

Dave,

Not on my X........... I always disconnected the link arm.
I think between the old steering box (1997 X) and the stupid Sport Pilot it was a lost cause to get any feedback. I also had the little Popsicle sticks for rudders on that boat. So, who knows
True, I could feel on many of my friends X-boats that their steering was much smoother and easier than mine.

But still, I like a tiller over a wheel, on a small boat anyway. Wouldn't be very practical on the X-boat though.

My favorite wheel:
I drove "Stars & Stripes"(eighties vintage) down in San Diego bay once. The wheel on it was GREAT So was everything else.

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

The 1988 MacGregor 26D is what MacGregor used for testing data for his new boat. (mine was his test boat)
Now add a rotating mast and you have a boat that can 6 knots on just the main. Been there, done that! Love my 1988 26D!!

Steve,
There is nothing better than a hands on tiller as you feel the force directly but as you said, it isn't pratical on the MacX.
I use to follow the Cup Races when they were in Newport. I still like Couragous were Ted Turner Sailed by the seat of his pants without all the High Tec. Navigation Instruments. If Dennis Conner and Ted Turner raced without any of that equipment, I am sure Ted would have taken it in same boat.
Dave

(But still, I like a tiller over a wheel, on a small boat anyway. Wouldn't be very practical on the X-boat though.

My favorite wheel:
I drove "Stars & Stripes"(eighties vintage) down in San Diego bay once. The wheel on it was GREAT So was everything else.)

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"[/quote]

roril,

If this IS what Roger is up to, the next one will, likely, be the fastest yet (and maybe even my dream boat, if it's just a sail boat, don't really care about being fast under power) Even if it is faster than my D-boat, and I bought one, I'd just put on a 9.9hp and use it mainly for sailing.

But, this is what I like about the Macs....... They are versatile and can be set up different ways.

SK

P.S. Wish I was following the forum when they asked for a test boat. I'd have been there the same afternoon

Steve,

I was lucky, right place right time. I think the data is for a new big boat that is still in the molds at the factory. Streach a "D" to 65 feet might be interesting.
When my ship comes in,I will buy a new M all tricked out but still keep my D for the local lakes. (Lotto money) LOL!

Steve,

I was lucky, right place right time. I think the data is for a new big boat that is still in the molds at the factory. Streach a "D" to 65 feet might be interesting.
When my ship comes in,I will buy a new M all tricked out but still keep my D for the local lakes. (Lotto money) LOL!

If it was me.............................. if only

I would build an intermediate......... something between the 26 and the 65. The 65 was a great boat. phrf of -20, or something near there, looked like a Lear jet inside (and out for that matter), long, skinny and fast. $110,000.00, brand new, when first produced.
As things are now, my D boat is the one I've decided on, after owning other, so called, trailerables and a 26X. The old D boat is a ton of fun, fits my needs and is paid for. So unless, as you say (lotto money) some sort of windfall came my way, this will, likely, be the boat I stick with.

However, every day is a new day, so ya never know I would really consider making payments again, if the right boat, to replace my D boat came out of Rogers' factory. (it would have to be closer in price to the M than the 65, however)

Best Breezes,
Steve K.
Mac 26D "Three Sheets"

Well maybe not the fastest, (yet) but I'm certainly trying Here's the first snap-shot of my V25 with her "new" (to me) J24 Aramid fiber genoa. I noticed that the sail measurements for the J24 were very close to the V25 and there are alot of slightly used, high tech J24 sails for sale, at very reasonable prices (the J24 guys buy new sails almost every year!!). So, with the help of a rigger friend, we re-rigged my V25 to be able to fly the J24 sail. It went from a 3/4 fractional rig to about a 7/8 one. Because the "J" length on my boat is larger than the J24, their 155 genoa works out to be about a 130 on mine (just what I believe is the perfect size). Our first sail was in less than 10 kw and she just glided along like never before. The picture is just after a tack and I don't have the sail sheeted in all the way, so it looks alittle baggy in the shot.
http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos- ... 6385_n.jpg

Nice
SK

We were on the Big Bay in San Diego this weekend with our 26D and hit 7.0 knots with just the main and jib. The wife was at the helm and I was working the sheets. The boat was loaded with "Stuff" for a 5 day stay/sleep over also. I tried to best her all day but she holds the record..

We stayed at the Chula Vista Marina in a slip. It is a very clean place to stay and all the restrooms/showers were spotless!! Great food and great people.

Yup, as others have said, the 26D is the fastest (slightly faster than 26s).
If you're in an area with lighter winds, you can make it even faster still by adding a rotating mast from a 26M. Alternatively, the hobbie 18' rotating mast adapts nicely as well with a few modifications. Mike, Lead Salesman for MaGregor, did this to his 26 & used it for races.

The Mac D is addicting. I think mine is fairly fast having never been beaten by any other Mac and having beaten a Catalina Capri 22 which has a slightly better PHRF. Still the boat, as a model design, is faster having several modifications in place. Bigger rudder, stronger rudder-head, straight up mast etc, etc. I have only raced 1 other 25 and it was no-contest, however it appeared to be a very stock boat. I heard from an old salt that the 25 was faster in heavier winds. Good sails, weight management and with a good skipper all boats seem to improve.

I like having a backstay and use it in sail control, so not convinced that a rotating mast would work for me, do the Hobies with rotating masts have a backstay?

Newell's boat is very fast. Wish he give up his secret.

He was at least a mile or more behind me one day and ended up passing on by me. Didn't take him very long to catch me either. It amazed me. My guess is that it's partially weight. I was packed down pretty good with a weeks worth of food & drinks, 20 gallons of water, 6 gals of gas, the wife, 180 pounds of batteries, heavier outboard and a bunch of odds & ends.

Having said that........ Newell is a master at getting the most out of these boats. He also has the fastest X boat I've ever seen. It must be that he knows his boats and knows how to get the most out of them. Maybe someday he'll give up his secret formula to me. Until then, I'll just keep chasing him

Steve K.

MIne.

Tsatzsue wrote:MIne.

I love confidence, if makes for a better skipper. If you ever bring your boat out west be sure and call me.

Better yet, bring it to Havasu 2013. The Mac race will help you refine your skills and show us how fast your V25 get's it on.