MacGregorSailors.com

Had a pretty darned good day sailing today in San Diego. Lot of variable and confused winds, big dynamic wind speed changes from 5 knots to 15 knots in speed to deal with, lot of change ups and time to practice things like going single rudder and various daggerboard positions on different points of sail, reefing and flying the genny in different conditions, etc.

Starting to feel like I've got a pretty good handle on the boat.

Then I got my ass handed to me by a MacGregor 26D as we passed Shelter island. Just when I thought I was doing well.

The 26d was meant to be a no compromise sailing vessel. I don't think any of the powersailors could match it except maybe off the wind in lighter air.

Beaten by a 26D, and this surprises you

Ray

I routinely smoke the other better sailing boats in my speedy white sailing Edgarton rules.....




......until I run out of fuel

mastreb wrote:Had a pretty darned good day sailing today in San Diego. Lot of variable and confused winds, big dynamic wind speed changes from 5 knots to 15 knots in speed to deal with, lot of change ups and time to practice things like going single rudder and various daggerboard positions on different points of sail, reefing and flying the genny in different conditions, etc.

Welcome to a typical sailing day on a high altitude mountain lake

Bob

What point of sail were you on when the D passed you? Can you add more canvas and then ask for a re-match? Were you heeled 20degrees? Could you have dumped some weight into the harbor to catch up? I'm drawing heavily from John Candy's sailboat race in "Summer Rental" for these suggestions...I hope your pants aren't large enough to use as an impromptu spinnaker like Candy's.

Forgive me, but it stems form serious underdog syndrome...I've begged for and lost up to 50 rematches then celebrated my victory like I was undefeated....I get it from my dad

Willy

We were on a broad reach coming back into the harbor. I'd tried to go wing-on-wing and lost some speed when the wind just wouldn't cooperate.

NiceAft wrote:Beaten by a 26D, and this surprises you

Ray

Exactly.

Owners of X & Ms need to accept this as part of the compromise of having a big motor on the back. We get whooped under sail by almost everything.

I didn't by my boat to race. I bought it to have fun.

If you want to race a D or S Mac. you better be going downwind in 15 knots of wind on a white Mac.X (wing pole the jib). You will find both boats almost the same speed.
Any other point of sail or lower wind, you will be tasting their stearn wake.
Dave

mastreb wrote:Had a pretty darned good day sailing today in San Diego. Lot of variable and confused winds, big dynamic wind speed changes from 5 knots to 15 knots in speed to deal with, lot of change ups and time to practice things like going single rudder and various daggerboard positions on different points of sail, reefing and flying the genny in different conditions, etc.

Starting to feel like I've got a pretty good handle on the boat.

Then I got my ass handed to me by a MacGregor 26D as we passed Shelter island. Just when I thought I was doing well.

Yeah, I know they're faster. Wish MacGregor still made a pure sailboat, as I have little use for the speed other than impressing people.

Anyone have any idea what the factory was doing taking the hull shape of that 26D last year? I'd heard rumor that they were working on a project with/for Hunter?

Forget the motor. Full headroom is what I compromised to get.

Full headroom under the hatch and a motor that gets you were you want to be, or maybe when you want to be there.
Theres more, beach the boat on protective cove, Amps for charging batteries with frig. and elect needs.
Power out of a 2-3 knot current. Freeboard to stay dry, Launch in a ramp 16 ft boats launch in, have a gally your loved ones will cruise with.
Easy launch and set up time.
Not another boat like it.
Dave

Ixneigh wrote:Forget the motor. Full headroom is what I compromised to get.

Any other point of sail or lower wind, you will be tasting their stearn wake.
Dave

What wake?............ D boats don't leave a wake, they just glide across the water

Having owned both boats (D now.... X before), I would dare say the D is faster on any point of sail and in any wind condition. JMHO

I did see an X boat beat a D once.... by less than a boat length. (about a three or four mile race) It was a two flag day and the X boat was sailing without ballast. In the process the X boat shredded his Genny, tore the tack out of the main and I happen to know that the skipper was totally crazy. The D skipper was an expert sailor and had owned the boat for a long time.

This is not to say that you couldn't beat me in my D boat. I'm neither an expert, nor crazy and with all the gear I normally have on board, I'm usually pretty heavy. One of these days, I'll take her out with nothing but a sandwich and see if she's any faster

BTW, The D boat will plane, in certain conditions (just thought I'd throw that in)

Best Breezes,
Steve K.

Our 1988 D would pass some 34's ona close reach. Not so our 2001 X, but the cabin is much more livable. Sailing the X to its best is harder.and fun. Ron