Sailing in 10 mph winds with the genoa alone causes greatly excessive heeling. I'm talking the 45 to 60 degree kind and wife in tears kind. Also, with genoa alone, in 10 mph winds, the Mac 26M doesn't point into the wind (close reach, I think it's called) worth a damn.
As mentioned by You Yours the main is important. This is a case where the net effect is greater than the sum of the parts. If you just look at what the genoa and main would do by themselves and add the effects, it's less than the total effect of them together. You probably want to partially furl the genoa and put up a reefed main. I have a jib on order that I plan to use on the higher wind days.
Another concern about not using the main: I think the rig is probably strong enough but it's my understanding that boats without backstays get significant mast support from the main sail pulling back on the mast. Without a main sail you don't have this support.
When I'm trying to point with my genoa I run the sheets between the two side shrouds. It's really helps.
I've been surprised at how well our boat sails on just the main. I think this is due to the rotating mast. I've been doing some reading on this and learned that the jib helps to smooth out the turbulent flow around the mast on boats that don't have rotating masts. The mast on boats without a jib (or headsail) more severely messes up the airflow on the main.
Sorry if I'm rambling off topic but I'm at work and need to be quick.
Well, after the other post comparing the X vs. M (well, the most recent of many) I wanted to formulate a fancy response with graphics to provide my counterpoint to Moe's web page, but I'm not gonna have time so I'll just take Moe's points from above - this is not a bash, but simply my view after sailing my 2004 26M virtually every weekend last year, many evenings after work, and on one ten-day outing (my comments in blue):
1. The M's V-berth can't be extended on the starboard side. The X's can. I am 59 tall and weigh 200 pounds I sleep in the Ms V-Berth all the time in perfect comfort (not in fetal position). Why would I want to extend it? This is not a shortcoming.
2. The M's V-berth can be extended on the port side, but the extension will block the head entrance. Extending the X V-berth on the port side doesn't block anything. Extending the 2004 Ms V-Berth to port would be silly, because the port-side settee is where youre going to sleep anyone over 6 feet tall that berth could sleep someone 9 feet tall if you wanted. This is not a shortcoming.
1+2 = The M's V-berth is suitable only for children, very short adults, or average sized adults who sleep in the fetal position. The X's V-berth, unextended is the same, however, it can be extended and used by adults, even taller ones. See above what do you consider an average adult? A single average sized adult can sleep there very comfortably, a couple would if the woman is average and they dont mind touching feet. Two kids would be more than comfortable. This is not a shortcoming.
3. The M's aft berth is blocked in the center by the ladder. The X's ladder swings up out of the way. There is ample access to the aft berth on EITHER SIDE of the ladder in my 2004 26M. Even if I have 3 full-size coolers lined up to port in the aft berth, there is still plenty of access to starboard and the berth is still as wide as a full size bed. This is not a shortcoming.
4. The M's aft berth is blocked and shortened on the starboard side by MacGregor's only provision for large cooler storage. That larger cooler must be lifted out for an average sized adult to use that berth. The X's starboard aft berth can be accessed from the center and is not needed for cooler storage. See number 3 above. You actually have lots of choices to locate your cooler, but the starboard side aft out of the way is the logical choice. If you absolutely insist on getting in from your own side, you can slide the cooler further aft (if there is nothing else back there) and still access the space. This is not a shortcoming I consider it an advantage. When I want into my cooler, I do not have to dig under the seats. In other boats I have sailed, the built-in cooler was always the hardest thing to clean I very much prefer to be able to carry the cooler away with me.
5. The '05 M's aft berth is blocked on the port side by the galley in any position except full forward. To move it forward requires relocating and storing the aft port side seat cushions elsewhere in the boat. The X's port aft berth can be accessed from the center. No comment, as I have not sailed a 2005 26M overnight.
3+4+5 = The only berth in the '05 M adequate in length for the average size adult is difficult to access and is the only place MacGregor provides for large cooler storage. I have to throw the BS flag on this totally as regards my 2004 layout. An average adult can sleep in the V-berth, 2 above-average adults can sleep on the port and starboard settees, and 2 average+ adults can sleep in the aft berth, even with coolers and a bunch of other stuff stowed along the starboard side.
6. The '05 26M dinette is lower, the table and aft dinette seat are narrower, not only reducing the seating, but precluding out of the way storage of a large cooler. The X dinette is higher, the table and the aft dinette seat wider, and the latter will house a cooler as large as a 5-day 70 quart. No argument, but an opinion: I have seen the 05 26M at a boat show and did not like the dinette it turned me off for many of the same reasons as the 26X did. The removable table in my 2004 26M provides a much more useful place (4 adults can comfortably sit around it for hours playing cards) and can be put away to leave the cabin like a nice big saloon youd find on a much larger yacht with seating for at least 7 adults. On my 2004 26M, this is a vast improvement and is not in any way a shortcoming.
7. To have conversational seating on the '05 M's port side, the galley must be moved aft of full forward, and the cushions previously relocated to slide it forward for aft berth access reinstalled. The X's dinette and port side seating are colocated without having to shuffle cushions and slide a galley, and with no bulkhead or trunk between them. On a boat the size of a Mac, you can hardly call the need to shuffle things around constantly a shortcoming. If you have enough gear onboard for a cruise then you have to move stuff around.
8. The M's head doesn't have a sink. The X's does. In my mind, this is one less thing to clean and less plumbing to leak or get blocked, plus it allows the head space to be smaller. Again, it is an advantage rather than a shortcoming.
9. The M's head can't be used for showering. The X's can. The 26X head can only be used for showering if you install some sort of sump pump to pump the water overboard. I have a stern shower in my 26M which works very nicely and all the water just runs out the stern (be sure to use earth-friendly soap, though); but then I dont mind hanging a few towels for modesty (if required) and showering out under the open sky, nor do most people Ive ever sailed with on overnight trips Ive been on several bigger boats which had both stern showers and shower stalls the stern shower gets a lot more use (after the ladies realize how much easier it is to hose off a deck than to clean a shower stall, they change opinions quickly). I will agree with a minor shortcoming in that you have to switch to a sponge-bath in cold weather, but I am adding a Zodi shower to my inventory, so thatll mitigate the cold weather issue somewhat.
10. The '05 head can only accomodate the smaller potty. The X, and '03-'04 M, can take the larger potty. No issue, I have the 2004 M.
To "fix" these will probably require going back to a swing centerboard. Roger's gone back and forth between daggerboard and centerboard over the years, so yet another switch shouldn't surprise anyone. Again, this is pretty much solely an opinion you first have to agree that things need fixed.
A few other points I see mentioned a lot:
A) Narrow stern access. I agree the 26M stern entry is narrower, but again I am 59 and 200 lbs. and I get in and out just fine. Once you know how to put your feet, you are fine. And, on the 26M I much prefer NOT having all the steering linkage out there in the open to be stepped on and stub toes on.
B) Smaller cockpit. I could go either way here. Ive sailed an older Hunter 260 with a tiller, and I can definitely say that their cockpit, while nice for cocktails at the dock or mooring wide and spacious - was awful for sailing nothing to keep anyone/anything from wanting to roll to leeward. For singlehanding, the tighter 26M cockpit is nice because everything is in reach, and you can put your feet up on the leeward seat for bracing.
C) Tan interior/carpet: Pure opinion here my 26M interior is hands-down much more aesthetically pleasing than any 26X I have seen. For me, in fact, the only reason I did not by a 26X was because I disliked the interior for my personal tastes. It would have been too much work to replace/refinish everything the way Id want it. I rejoiced when the 2003 came out, but was unable to buy that year because of my job. So far, I have had no difficulties with it, even though one window leaked I just vacuum the carpet walls now and then and they stay fine.
D) Tiny head: Like others mention, I avoid spending any more time in there than absolutely necessary, why would I want to waste even one cubic centimeter of extra space on it? My complaint for the head is the bi-fold door arrangement that I have on mine, I still have to come up with a better way to secure it either open or closed (I hate it when things rattle).
E) Galley: Totally opinion driven. I do not do anything remotely like gourmet cooking, all I need is my portable one-burner stove and my rail-mount BBQ grill. I delayed installing the stove in the countertop until I had spent some time on board to see how I would really use it, and I am glad I did 99% of the time I put the portable in the cockpit and do all cooking outdoors it just makes sense to keep the heat, steam, and smells outside the boat. So, for me the galley is in the cockpit, and the cabinet under the sink is nice for storage, etc. Far superior to the one in the 2005 26M, for my usage.
In conclusion: I guess my opinions about my boat are as strong as Moes are about his. I slept on board a total of 27 nights last year, if my log is correct 20 of them solo, two nights with 3 other adults including my sister-in law, and 5 nights with just me and one or two other adults. During the ten-day trip, several rainy nights when we couldnt do a campfire ashore, we sat around playing cards in the boat and the stow-able table was more than adequate.
Something else to keep in mind is the perspective from which you view the accommodations: All my life I have been a tent-camper, and slept either on the ground or on a cot if we were going high class. So for me, anything that is a step better than a cot is a step up in the world, and my whole family is the same way including my Mom and sister-in-law and any woman I have dated seriously.
Thanks for the sailing info. I am mostly to blame for the heeling yesterday on Lake Harris, Leesburg, Fla. I wanted to maximize speed and it didn't take long to realize that letting out the sheets and/or turning into the wind quickly solves (or avoids in the first place) the problem of excessive heel. I should have saved Speed Racer for another day. Excessive heal can be traumatic for those who fear water or the inherent dangers of capsizing. Shame on me. Lesson learned: race yourself when you are alone. Keep the wife happy and don't fill the sails (at least when the wind is blowing a good 10 mph).
I do think, for safety, that one should not use the 150% genoa by itself in 10+ mph winds. Or, at least, one who does should avoid filling the sails completely (by that I mean should avoid 0% luffing on a beam or broad reach). Running and close hauling (if I am using the lingo properly) aren't really a problem with the genoa alone (in the conditions described).
Wow who would of thought a poll on Mac usage would turn into a 6 page thread? I thought it might be interesting to read the comments...I read a few and then the last. Somewhere it went from - you're an ass, no you are - to - where to buy biodegradable soap.
This an interesting place for sure.
BTW - Nice to see so many people overnighting. Can't say if an X or an M is a better cruiser, I've only spent time on an X.
Last edited by dclark on Mon Apr 11, 2005 1:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Yes, I buy earth-friendly soap at camping stores, or at least in the camping section of department stores. Even if WM had it, it would be the same stuff that Wal-Mart has in the camping aisle for an extra $1.50
Actually, I take a trip to REI or another big sporting goods store about twice a year. A lot of things geared toward hiking/tent camping/climbing are suited for use on our "pocket cruisers":
A) They focus on light weight and maximum function in a small package
B) They tend to focus on being environmetally friendly
C) I usually figure thay if something is safe for use in a small tent then it should be safe in a medium sized boat
D) The stuff tends to be rugged and water resistant
E) Things tend to come in stuff sacks or other long-term storage solutions instead of a plastic bag or cardboard box
Most importantly, they do not have the word "marine" in the description, so they are cheaper!!
Case in point: The single-burner butane stove I use cost me $25 in the camping aisle at Benny's. It is EXACTLY the same in every detail as the Kenyon model that WM sells for $65, except for the name on it and the rounded vice square corners on the carrying case. I know because I brought it in to the WM guy here and we set the two side-by-side and tried to find a difference. He was not happy.
As You Yours pointed out, the 26M seems to be geared more toward sailing with the main rather that the genoa if you are going to use only one sail. I have done this quite often, and the main alone provides decent pointing ability - certainly better than the genoa alone does.
As to balance - you have to play with it a bit. By the end of last season, I had mine set up so that it had slight weather helm with the main alone, pretty decent balance with the main and reefed genoa, and slight leeward helm with full genoa. I finally decided on this configuration because much of the time I have winds that require me to sail with the genoa partially furled (yes, I should just buy a jib - but there are light wind days, too, hehe), so I wanted to tune to the middle ground.
Now the interesting part will be, when I put my mast back up next week, and sail the boat first week of May, will the tuning still be there or do i get to start over
Chip thanks for the cooler info Andy thanks for your real World at hand knowledge and YY's mostly you just make me laugh : ) and that is a good thing. Big difference here has been that most own X's in 5 years maybe most here will have M's or the new C's??
Prepare for boarders, batten down the hatches, sharpen the wits....
Damn the torepedoes, full speed ahead.
Actually, the blue hull was supposedly the only one offered when I purchased(Feb 2003). Given a choice, I would go for the white hull, but the Admiral said the blue "talked to her". 20 years of marriage has taught me at least one thing: If I want something like a sailboat, compromise makes the voyage smoother.
When we first began looking at pictures. . .. she liked the M right off .
She told me " but do as you think is best I am sure either will be fine
( now your screwed if your wrong) "but this one looks like Motel 6 and this one is more . . .well classy"
and with that she handed me a check book and has never really asked how much Ive spent or will spend . She's learned after all these years that Adventures cost money...We are setting our sails for yet another Adventure
Prepare for boarders, batten down the hatches, sharpen the wits....
Damn the torepedoes, full speed ahead.
Actually, the blue hull was supposedly the only one offered when I purchased(Feb 2003). Given a choice, I would go for the white hull, but the Admiral said the blue "talked to her". 20 years of marriage has taught me at least one thing: If I want something like a sailboat, compromise makes the voyage smoother.
Phil
Logically I would get the white hull. But from 5-10+ feet away the blue does look great. Hate dealing with the sensitive blue (gelcoat repair, scratches, etc).
But the blue does look better IMO, and, of course, blue is faster
I was tempted to sell my 
and get one.
