Foresail only?

[Frank C]

Thank you with all the replies, where can I find more about how to install a running backstay?
Frank, my serial # was Macx3140G900 - does that help? It's sold to Punta Gorda / Fl.
Hans

Thanks Hans, yes very helpful. You'll see (just at left) that mine is 3167. My reason for asking is that I know I've seen a later hull no. (don't recall, but let's say hull no. 3171) that apparently went thru assembly before the end of June. Therefore, it was assigned a Federal Hull ID as model '99.

Yet, your hull and mine, which both pre-dated that one (*) were apparently held over and assembled during July, as models 2000. It's no big deal, just a point of curiosity.

(*) Presumably, this happens because hull numbers (4 digits) are assigned serially as boats leave the mold, while the complete Federal Hull IDs is assigned as assembly is completed on the finished boat.

[Frank C]

... There's been previous discussion on sailing on the headsail only. The argument against it is that the main sail provides a lot of support to the mast and without the mainsail things could get overstressed. I can say for sure that the main pulls significantly back on the mast by looking at it's effect on the forestay sag.

I've never heard of a 26M failure so maybe the rigging is strong enough but I would be careful anyway. I did watch a non-Macgregor break his mast while sailing only on the headsail ...

Daniel is correct, there have been numerous previous discussions of this dismasting potential. I've never seen it happen, as did Dan, but I did read the opinion of a Marine Architect, written to the editors of Practical Sailor magz.

Many boats have twin-lower shrouds fore, plus two more lowers pulling aft ... so their quad lower shrouds prevent any fore/aft pumping of the middle mast section. Boats with single lowers, as the Macgregors (also older O'Day, Pearson, others?) are presumably subject to mast pumping when sailing without the mainsail. The MA reported several dismastings. Apparently the O'Day builder recalled a series of keelboats to add quad lowers.

As Dan described, the wind-filled mainsail adds considerable stabilizing force component along the length of the middle-mast section. This whole debate relates to winds of 16+ knots, Genoa only. The theory's been advanced that those much heavier keelboats are more punishing to their masts in moderate chop, than would be the much lighter Macs. If yer mast ain't pumpin' ... as in ligher winds ... presumably you have no worries.

[pokerrick1]

If you're going to buy an M, and you are lazy, sail with the Main only and you'll be fine. Plenty of speed and a rotating mast, don't forget. I sail with Main only all the time, as I too am lazy.

I THINK I remember my dealer (Mike Inmon, MDR) telling me not to sail with the Genoa only, but I can't remember why? I just PM'd him to write YOU to tell you why - - - or just reply to your original post.

Rick

[Hardcrab]

I tried "Genny only" on my M once in a broad reach about 8-10 knots of wind. At the time, it seemed to me to cause the center of effort to go forward, causing a total lack of steering control with the rudders. I didn't like the result, so I furled it after a very short time. Maybe if I had stayed with it longer to gain more headway it might have settled down and worked ok, but turning the helm from lock to lock with no apparent results was somewhat unnerving.
I should try it again sometime, without guests aboard, to see what happens.

[Night Sailor]

When singlehanding, I sail with genny only in shifty gusty conditions over 10 knots, because I can control the size of the sail to an infinite degree with the furler, and much more quickly. I do have the rig tight, not loose, mast raked 4 degrees, and backstay snug. I adjust the board up or down as necessary for the point of sail.

When I have crew and I know it's going to be rough, I go ahead and reef the main, (factory reef point) furl the genny to about 40Sq.ft. and go with it until it's time to furl everything and turn the key. Slogging in wild weather can be fun for awhile, but when I get tired, it's time to cut back and give the boat and me a rest.

Most of the time when single handing, in light air I seldom use the main at all. The genny does fine with or without ballast.

[marsanden]

yesteray: wind 16kn, sailed from Acciaroli to Pisciotta ( Cilento National Park,Southern Italy-on google heart you can see how wondefrull those places are-) sailing downwind ( 150° ) only with main ( still waiting for a new headsail ), no ballast, half board down, only one rudder down, no backstay,alone on the boat, sailing speed 5,0-5,5 Kn.
In those condition my mac only needs good steering control.
All time long my sailing was under control. No lack. No problem.

[Andy26M]

I've sailed a fair number of boats from Lasers up to 72' racers. I generally sail my 26M solo these days.

My feeling is that the 26M design was balanced differently from the 26X design. If I am sailing a single sail on the 26M, I use the Main not the Genny. This is not because of any fear of stressing the mast, but because the boat just steers and balances better with the Main.

- Andy