Sunday 25 Mac 26X went down. South River

[Uncle Jim]

I guess this story isn't dead yet. I was in we$t marine in Edge Water on Sunday, in the area that this knock down occured. The guy helping me out said a lady came in a couple of months ago to return some items that were not on the 26 when it went over. She was appearently very upset with Rodger and was bringing a law suit against Macgregor. Now I didn't bring up the story but only that I was cleaning up my boat for the winter, the topic moved to type of boat and he started telling me the story. He also indicated that it was a new boat, but I'm not sure if that ment new to her or a brand new M. I wonder are the blue hulls less stable than the white?

as the story went, she had full balast and was not overloaded and had all fins down, but as I recall, and some here have stated, the winds were pretty high that day. I'm sure that there was a lot of boats that got the wind vane wet that day

With gust of 50+, I know I would not have put in a reef, I'd have put out dock lines

Jim

[Catigale]

This sounds more and more like folklore ....

[Uncle Jim]

This sounds more and more like folklore ....

Maybe, OP said it was an X, the sales guy indicated it was a new boat, I assumed it was an M but who can be sure. But if the winds were as strong as reported in this thread I'm sure there were a good number of boats knocked down. Squals on the C-Bay cnd be brutal

[BNG]

Squals on the CB come up fast. I was sailing my other boat (19ft Flying scot) during the "Wednesday Night Races" 2 years ago when all of a sudden a squal came up. Maybe if I was paying attention more or an old captain I my have seen or sensed what was coming. I was doing everything I could to survive and keep the boat from capsizing. All I know was I felt like I cheated death after it was over. My leg was shaking from the adrenaline running through my body. The experience has definately boosted my confidence and appreciation for the water.

[Uncle Jim]

Squals on the CB come up fast. I was sailing my other boat (19ft Flying scot) during the "Wednesday Night Races" 2 years ago when all of a sudden a squal came up. Maybe if I was paying attention more or an old captain I my have seen or sensed what was coming. I was doing everything I could to survive and keep the boat from capsizing. All I know was I felt like I cheated death after it was over. My leg was shaking from the adrenaline running through my body. The experience has definately boosted my confidence and appreciation for the water.

I had a similar experience about 25 yrs ago on a San Juan 21 (also on the S River) turned into the wind to drop the main, attached the boom to the back stay, went up on deck and had the main halyard in my hand. I just happened to look down river and I could see a line of masts going form straight up to 45° over. One after another, I just made it back in to the cockpit in time

[Divecoz]

Folklore at best.. Local rumor mongers more likely haahaha
"Im gunna sue " Yea .. sure you are.... Talk is cheap .... Now if this was 1985 or there abouts and If the boat in question was a Bayliner.. Maybe?
It was about 1985 that Bayliner Risked being shut down by some Government entity. They had had IIRC about 50% of all industry hull failures for 2 or 3 years? I'd have to go look, but anyway.. Fat chance lady.. Sounds to me , more like Real Sail Boat Sailors hahahaha telling tales ...

[Fxwg80hd]

I live on the bay near Annapolis and think this is more a case of a sailor getting in trouble than a capsize. I know that most capsizes are laser sailboats (or similar) that have turned turtle and the sailors don't know how to right. Even these always make the news. Since this case did not make the local news, pretty much says it was someone who got scared because the sailboat was healing more than they liked. Knowing how things work around here, I would not doubt they called in for a tow.

[jschrade]

Any sailboat can get knocked down with too much sail in too much wind.

When I was researching my Macgregor purchase, I found the stories on capsizes and it concerned me. Once I have my 26M, I realize that there is obviously some missing information in these stories.

Jim

[Divecoz]

I agree! I tend to believe, this is keel boat sailors , who never leave the harbor, keeping this rumor alive in that area.. I hear that "stuff" all to often.. Mine is a REAL Blue Water Boat!! Full Keel blablablabla. Really someone will ask ?. Most often before I have the chance to ask...So Tell us , when was your Last Blue Water Voyage??? That Real Sailor.... can be watched mumbling and blubbering all the way to the rest rooms...

I live on the bay near Annapolis and think this is more a case of a sailor getting in trouble than a capsize. I know that most capsizes are laser sailboats (or similar) that have turned turtle and the sailors don't know how to right. Even these always make the news. Since this case did not make the local news, pretty much says it was someone who got scared because the sailboat was healing more than they liked. Knowing how things work around here, I would not doubt they called in for a tow.

[Laika 26X]

Folks,

I’ve seen the safety issue of the Mac over and over in these forums, through the years, sounding like a broken record, here’s some statistics regarding our Auxiliary Sailboat……….

I point you to 2009 USCG Recreational Boating Statistics

Primarily page 20, PRIMARY CONTRIBUTING FACTOR OF ACCIDENTS 2009, note the first five reasons if you please.

Then I refer to page 46, most Mac's are considered Aux Sail.

I beg the question: How many Mac's are out there?? How many of these are Mac's?? Even if they were ALL Mac's, what are the odds we talking about here?

Now I live with the motto that Murphy's Law is a clear and present danger in my life. But really, as long as I maintain diligence, the odds seem to be with me! Hey I know $#*! happens, it’s called life. But all those purist’s out there need one!

Next time any boater disputes your boat, tell them to go buy an open motorboat. That'll statistically get them outta your hair.
As for yourself:
Wear your life jacket
Pay Attention
Take a boating class
Maintain a safe speed
Keep a lookout
DON'T DRINK & BOAT!!
Have fun!
Really, enjoy the Mac..these numbers point out it’s as safe as any other auxiliary sailboat out there.
Make safety a fun challenge, not a burden that can be overlooked and you’ll do fine.

Hopefully ya'll pore through all the data and raise the bar on this safety topic.
I'm going below as the seaweed starts flying!!

“Without facts you are just another person with an opinion.”

"Sub" Ed Tordahl
S/V LAIKA
USCG Auxiliary
Qualified Crew
Qualified Aids (Nav) Verifier
Qualified Public Education Instructor
NYS Qualified Safe Boating Instructor

[Catigale]

Ed - thanks for that link ...Operator Inattention is indeed the killer...

..and I couldnt help noticing that engines of 75 HP kill 3x more people than Engines <75 HP...maybe we should rename those killer engines something else....

lies, d*** lies, and statistics..

[Divecoz]

I am Guilty of page 45... NONE... maybe there's a P.S. winter coarse