Cruising the Bahamas in a Mac 26M

James V · Post by **James V** » Fri Nov 16, 2007 3:15 pm

Catigale - no problem

KayakDan - I have enough so that I can cruise the Bahamas for at least 2 seasons. the first one will be in Abacos, the next ??????

I am going to do research on your 3 items, long reseach to see if it is correct.

Chinook · Post by **Chinook** » Tue Nov 20, 2007 10:16 pm

Out Abaco way, favorite anchorages were Double Breasted Cay (beautiful beaches, conch, lobster, and all to ourselves in the shallow channel between 2 small islets; Moraine Cay (outstanding snorkeling over great coral reefs, lovely beach, again all to ourselves - we met a guy at fuel dock at Fox Town who's the caretaker for the island, and he said to make ourselves at home - the island's owner supposedly owns a Macgregor); and west end of Manjack Cay (long sweeping beach, great shelling, nice inland trails with fascinating birds). Wish we were there again. Enjoy!

KayakDan · Post by **KayakDan** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 8:59 am

James V wrote:Catigale - no problem

KayakDan - I have enough so that I can cruise the Bahamas for at least 2 seasons. the first one will be in Abacos, the next ??????

I am going to do research on your 3 items, long reseach to see if it is correct.

We have been "researching" the Exumas for 5 years now,and I have personally verified all three!

Last trip we picked out the anchorage for our boat..I could see the sign off Volleyball Beach that said "Your Boat Here"

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Wed Nov 21, 2007 10:08 am

Fresh water availability? Are you finding fresh water on the out islands? How much did you take with you? Gas what about gas on out islands? How much gas did you use on the trip coming over? How much gas did you have when you left Key Largo. Babes have you been seeing any nak.. . . .never mind I will PM ya !Hahahaha

James V · Post by **James V** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 7:16 am

All Marians have water from $ .50 to $ .20 per gal. Gas is $ 5. I carry 30 gal of gas and about 20 gal of water. With the wind on the nose the whole way form Key Largo my milage was 5 to 6.5 per gal (of gas), Because of the wind I used about 5 gals. Season has not started and not to many people here.

Here is some 2 meg pics, Please click on pic for larger image -
Marsh Harbor Mermaide Reef -

Cat Key Grand Abaco -

Some friends dinghying up at Grabber, Guna Cay -

Grabbers -

Having trouble with the links, can somebody fix this? please.

[mod] I tried editing out the '*' characters in the first link but that wasnt a valid link - the '*' characters are the ones 'breaking the links' of course... can you double check the second links please James I probably corrupted it during editing ~sps[/mod]

bastonjock · Post by **bastonjock** » Mon Nov 26, 2007 1:18 pm

could you hire a Mac to do a trip like this?

KayakDan · Post by **KayakDan** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 7:38 am

bastonjock wrote:could you hire a Mac to do a trip like this?

There is already a charter service in Andros that uses a Mac 26X . I believe there are several options,both bareboat and crewed.

http://www.vrbo.com/147304

We are planning to take our M to Exuma in a couple of years. It's sailing heaven,and made for shallow draft boats like ours.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 10:45 am

We have a club member here in the PNW (Sara) who has towed to Florida and sailed to the Bahamas on her own!

I enjoy reading about sailing topics to keep myself occupied and I frequent a number of other sailing sites. Funny thing is when I read some other sites' threads I get some very controversial opinions. For example someone will post a thread asking if their Catalina 30 or similar boat is sufficient to make the crossing (Florida - Bahamas) and they get all these responses that one really needs a big blue water cruiser to do it in, then they start naming these 30-40' brand boats that are fully blue water capable and suggest upgrading. Yet all kinds of other boats do it and I always hear about groups of Macgregors making the trip. I never comment about it being done by a Macgregor because these other sites are not really pro Macgrgor but do contain some good tidbits of data which is why I frequent them from time to time. One would be amazed at what is suggested as minimal for that crossing yet our Macs seem to be doing it every year. Am I missing something or are all the other so called pros missing something?

Divecoz · Post by **Divecoz** » Tue Nov 27, 2007 11:09 am

IMHO and only from what I have read as I . . have never made the voyage, THEY are way off base. Macs have been making this trip for a lot of years and smaller boats do it ALMOST every day of the year.
Someone here or elsewhere posted about seeing kids coming from the USA for the day in Mom and Dads 19 or 20 foot Center Console

My own brother could not would not believe me that our little boats go regularly, all the way to the Dry Tortuga's. So I sent him numerous links.
He was no less than amazed. Post some Bahamas Links for those folks and add a few from the Dry Tortuga's heck while your at it post Chinook's 2 month trip from his web-site. I BTW was up till 2AM last night reading it.
GREAT trip and a must read imho

James V · Post by **James V** » Thu Nov 29, 2007 9:51 am

When crossing the Gulf Stream to the Bahamas you need to be careful on wind and waves. 50 footers have turned around and others have not made it in the wrong wind and waves. Wind with no north in them and seas less than 3 feet are ideal. People have made it in small boats in these conditions. You just need to waite for the right weather, sometimes it takes weeks.

The first few times find a boat buddy that has the same hull speed and make your crossing. But please be ready. It is a long 12 hrs and a lot can happen. Know your boat well and have it and you in shape.

Cruising is an extreame sport, please take due caution.

James V · Post by **James V** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:06 am

Want to join me for lunch at Hope Town Harbor Lodge, Andros, Bahamas?

[mod]That ?rot=1 command hiccups here ~sps[/mod]

James V · Post by **James V** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 11:08 am

I have posted these on other forums and the links do work. Maby there is a bug in this forum?

I am still getting these problems and I cannot get the pics to post but i can with other forums.

bobmonroe · Post by **bobmonroe** » Mon Dec 10, 2007 3:42 pm

Hopetown Harbor Lodge , Andros ? or Abaco ?

KayakDan · Post by **KayakDan** » Tue Dec 11, 2007 8:02 am

Order me a Kalik Gold and a conch salad. I'll meet you at the bar!

When you get to the Chat n' Chill,it's my turn this round!

James V · Post by **James V** » Wed Dec 12, 2007 9:30 am

This is in Abacos close to Marsh Harbor

the "*" in the command line is not liked as well. I will have to work out something else.

I am off to Pete's Pub in Little Harbor. Be back on the web in a week or so.

MacGregorSailors.com

MacGregorSailors.com

Cruising the Bahamas in a Mac 26M