New Youtube Vid- Sailing the Mac 26x
Posted: Tue Nov 09, 2010 12:11 pm
A video about sailing my 1998 Mac 26x, ‘Meet My Boat 3’, is finally finished. The first few minutes are about sailing in light air with an asymmetric spinnaker and show rigging, trim, raising and dousing. The video concludes with sailing under main and jib in winds around 15 knots, running, reaching and tacking.
Although there are plenty of web rants about the Mac’s sailing ability, I have found that the boat sails reasonably well, comparable to other pocket cruisers. I think a major reason for Mac rants is that many are owned as first boats and consequently, are skippered by those figuring it out as they go along. That’s exactly how I got started. It wasn’t a pretty sight!
One thing is for sure. Tiny differences in sail trim and steering make big differences in boat speed. The best way to learn this stuff is from someone who races. In almost any marina, there are people who race. Strike up a conversation and you might be surprised to learn how often race boat owners need crew. You might also be surprised to learn how many racers began sailing on a MacGregor!
As for my video, it’s more about what the boat can do than how to do it. Hope you all enjoy the video and even find something useful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OxykDlvc1M
Although there are plenty of web rants about the Mac’s sailing ability, I have found that the boat sails reasonably well, comparable to other pocket cruisers. I think a major reason for Mac rants is that many are owned as first boats and consequently, are skippered by those figuring it out as they go along. That’s exactly how I got started. It wasn’t a pretty sight!
One thing is for sure. Tiny differences in sail trim and steering make big differences in boat speed. The best way to learn this stuff is from someone who races. In almost any marina, there are people who race. Strike up a conversation and you might be surprised to learn how often race boat owners need crew. You might also be surprised to learn how many racers began sailing on a MacGregor!
As for my video, it’s more about what the boat can do than how to do it. Hope you all enjoy the video and even find something useful.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3OxykDlvc1M
and I didn't think it was very easy or very fun...neither did he that day which was his first experience using it...lots of interesting Scottish oaths that day... 