MacGregorSailors.com

Posted: **Fri Sep 29, 2023 4:20 am**

I miss some of the old-timers on this forum, and wonder where they are...does anyone have any updates?

Tomfoolery.... such a wealth of knowledge and humor. He just vanished from the site.

Sumner... please tell me he's OK; I know that his 26S was for sale

https://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumne ... index.html

Chinook... still occasionally chimes in, but I'm hoping for a new chapter in the adventures of Chinook on chinook.cecka.us

Inquisitor... was so involved in technical details and then just stopped posting..

I still see posts on occasion from Boat, VKMaynard, and Gazmn, but not nearly as active... such interesting, fun contributors.

Seahouse, Spector, WindChime, Catigale, Bilgemaster ... and all you others from the early 2010's or before, where are you? Come baaaaaaaaack!

Posted: **Fri Sep 29, 2023 5:00 am**

Theyre all over on the Imexus/Odin forum.

Or they forgot to fill their water ballast before yankin the halyards.

Posted: **Fri Sep 29, 2023 5:49 am**

Agreed!

Some of those posts were so full of great value. Maybe we should send them an email saying "What's new with you? Come let us know".

Sumner is selling his boat. Seems like his age is limiting his ability to use it.
https://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumne ... nks-1.html

Of course Sumner is finding other interests to use his creativity. I subscribe to this youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXeFNZ ... FDUXu1ogig

Posted: **Fri Sep 29, 2023 1:33 pm**

You right 100%

I still use the ev100 AP setup Tiller system from the idea of Boat!
Thanks....

Posted: **Sat Sep 30, 2023 9:55 am**

A compelling topic. I am "old" (79) but clearly not part of the "old guard" as previously listed. The topic does suggest that it is possible, however, (to paraphrase General MacArthur) ---old Mac sailors never die, they just fade away. On December 7th this year (2023) I will celebrate my 20th year of ownership of my 26X, American Spirit. It's not easy to discuss the challenges of aging and sailing. I tried that with my daughter just last week, and she, being more of the Farragut mentality (i.e., "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead") just said, "Awe, Dad, you're still young; you can do it." But it is a challenge even if you keep your boat in a marina full time like I do. I use my marina tech for repairs, and I am pretty done with any mods I ever dreamed up. I hire the son of my best friend to help me clean and wax the boat twice a year. I have been doing Genoa only sailing this past year ostensibly because I had bats trying to nest in my covered mainsail, but, frankly, it's easier sailing. I had an old psychiatrist friend remark years ago that as we age "life gets harder, and life gets better." A seeming paradox that I find fits me as I age. My only real mod I want to do is to attach an aluminum cane to my aft starboard stanchion to help with getting up and down from the main deck to the cockpit.

I plan to take the boat into my 80's and reevaluate as I go each year. I will not let it fall into disrepair; however. That is a given. I would encourage any oldster dealing with aging to speak up and share. We can be of support to one another as we sort out our issues.

Posted: **Wed Oct 04, 2023 4:29 pm**

Sumner, Chinook, Hershel, Gazmn and several others were instrumental in us buying a 26X back in 2015 and many of our mods came from their info. We have met several others. We even did part of our American Great Loop trip with Chinook and Sandy also visited them in Washington state at home. All the Mac folks we have met were nice. Hope to meet more in the future.

Posted: **Wed Oct 04, 2023 5:59 pm**

The oldest active member (I'm defining that as "visited within the last 30 days") is Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL (joined January 10, 2004).

I'm the second oldest active member (joined February 08, 2004)

Next would be Niceaft (Ray) (joined Feb 01, 2005)

The remaining oldest active members are vkmaynard (April 2005), jimmy alonso (Oct 2005), Brian (July 2005), Hamin'X (Aug 2005), Highlander (Sept 2005), Hershel (Oct 2005), Jeff (Sept 2005), Deeseas (May 2006), March (May 2006), Gazmn (May 2006), Misha (Mar 2007), Inquisitor (April 2007), henecle (June 2007), socalmacer (July 2007), Bluecrab (Aug 2007), hmb-barry (Oct 2007), Russ (Oct 2007), WD (May 2008), DaveC426913 (July 2008), rotchy63 (July 2008), 1st Sail (Dec 2008), Jherrell (Apr 2009), Florio67 (May 2009), Lucky Drifter (Oct 2009), Starscream (Nov 2009), fishheadbarandgrill (Apr 2010).

Posted: **Wed Oct 04, 2023 7:26 pm**

Cool statistics. Appreciate the longevity info. It has been a privilege to have this community of Mac owners. The rest of this ought to be in a trip log I suppose but here goes. The Admiral and I took our Mac 26X out yesterday on Lake Monroe for the inaugural sail for our sailing season in central Florida which is October to May. It was also my first sail as a 79-year-old. Wind was kicking up 14 knots and some good sized chop. We initially were sailing under reefed Genoa only, but I decided to loosen the reef and see what she would do on a starboard broad reach. She flew across the lake at 6.1 knots. Had a little adventure when it came time to reef up and turn back. Could not get the roller furler to budge. Had to go forward with engine running and Admiral at the helm (head to wind) to see what the issue was. Finally got the drum to rotate, but it was dicey with the Genoa flogging overhead. Admiral was steering with one hand and taking up the reef line slack as I slowly got the drum to rotate. Got the Genoa corralled eventually and cruised back to our slip. High fives were shared. We old septuagenarians apparently still have our sailing MOJO. Note to self: tie figure 8 knots in the end of the Genoa sheets next time!

Posted: **Wed Oct 04, 2023 7:35 pm**

Looking good

Posted: **Thu Oct 05, 2023 3:57 am**

kmclemore wrote: ↑Wed Oct 04, 2023 5:59 pm The oldest active member (I'm defining that as "visited within the last 30 days") is Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL (joined January 10, 2004).

I'm the second oldest active member (joined February 08, 2004)

Next would be Niceaft (Ray) (joined Feb 01, 2005)

The remaining oldest active members are vkmaynard (April 2005), jimmy alonso (Oct 2005), Brian (July 2005), Hamin'X (Aug 2005), Highlander (Sept 2005), Hershel (Oct 2005), Jeff (Sept 2005), Deeseas (May 2006), March (May 2006), Gazmn (May 2006), Misha (Mar 2007), Inquisitor (April 2007), henecle (June 2007), socalmacer (July 2007), Bluecrab (Aug 2007), hmb-barry (Oct 2007), Russ (Oct 2007), WD (May 2008), DaveC426913 (July 2008), rotchy63 (July 2008), 1st Sail (Dec 2008), Jherrell (Apr 2009), Florio67 (May 2009), Lucky Drifter (Oct 2009), Starscream (Nov 2009), fishheadbarandgrill (Apr 2010).

Interesting info. I recognize a lot of that list, but also don't remember ever having seen posts from a few, such as hmb-barry or jherrell. Not sure if I'm happy or upset about finding myself on the list of "old guard", but still.

Surprised to see Inquisitor on the list of active old guard; his last actual post was 2021. I really enjoyed interacting with him and following his mods on his 26M. He always had positive feedback and was much less scary than his avatar.

Hershel, Ris and Chinook are my Mac-Idols...I hope to be swinging from the bow in 14 knots fixing a problem when I'm 79 while on a great-loop. Well maybe not, but at least I hope to be out there with a smooth-running furler and knots in my sheets.

Posted: **Thu Oct 05, 2023 5:09 am**

Nice reflection

Herschel wrote: ↑Sat Sep 30, 2023 9:55 am A compelling topic. I am "old" (79) but clearly not part of the "old guard" as previously listed. The topic does suggest that it is possible, however, (to paraphrase General MacArthur) ---old Mac sailors never die, they just fade away. On December 7th this year (2023) I will celebrate my 20th year of ownership of my 26X, American Spirit. It's not easy to discuss the challenges of aging and sailing. I tried that with my daughter just last week, and she, being more of the Farragut mentality (i.e., "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead") just said, "Awe, Dad, you're still young; you can do it." But it is a challenge even if you keep your boat in a marina full time like I do. I use my marina tech for repairs, and I am pretty done with any mods I ever dreamed up. I hire the son of my best friend to help me clean and wax the boat twice a year. I have been doing Genoa only sailing this past year ostensibly because I had bats trying to nest in my covered mainsail, but, frankly, it's easier sailing. I had an old psychiatrist friend remark years ago that as we age "life gets harder, and life gets better." A seeming paradox that I find fits me as I age. My only real mod I want to do is to attach an aluminum cane to my aft starboard stanchion to help with getting up and down from the main deck to the cockpit. I plan to take the boat into my 80's and reevaluate as I go each year. I will not let it fall into disrepair; however. That is a given. I would encourage any oldster dealing with aging to speak up and share. We can be of support to one another as we sort out our issues.

Posted: **Sat Oct 07, 2023 1:50 pm**

NiceAft wrote: ↑Wed Oct 04, 2023 7:35 pm Looking good

I truly appreciated the kind words and thoughts to my recent posts in this thread. I do. thank you.

I did want to say that one constraint that is very real to me at my age (79) is the recovery time after days on the water or doing maintenance on the boat. This week we had our 14-knot adventure wrangling the Genoa, and I followed that two days later with a clean and wax day (with help, of course). But I have had two days of achy joints and low, low energy levels. Two afternoon naps helped, too. Fortunately, retirement gives me that slack. Oh, BTW, after that 14-knot adventure, I did give the crew a double ration of grog!

See you out there.

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 8:53 am**

Hi Herschel!

She looks better than ever!
Bet a twenty year old would need a couple days to recoup too!
Not just and extra nap

or two! Heck I’d probably need a week of

naps

and I’m more than a decade behind ya!

There’s that ancient advice about yesterday being ‘spent money’, tomorrow is a ‘check in the mail’ but today is ‘cash in hand’ … I believe that was inscribed on the first pharaoh’s pyramid (probably by the project manager afterwards).

We’re glad you’re still out there enjoying the wind and waves now, and we’re hoping that there are a lot more now moments to come!
That goes for all the “old” guard as well as the “new” guard.
We all need to appreciate the now of each moment and make more of them….

Make your future self envious & proud of what you do today.

Best Regards
Over Easy

Posted: **Fri Oct 13, 2023 9:11 am**

pitchpolehobie wrote: ↑Fri Sep 29, 2023 5:00 am Theyre all over on the Imexus/Odin forum.

Or they forgot to fill their water ballast before yankin the halyards.

Posted: **Thu Oct 19, 2023 6:54 pm**

I’m still kickin’ but not posting very often so I missed the cutoff of 30 days (maybe 30 months. Ha)

My Mac is less and less used as my age increases. 75 this past June. Only out twice over the summer. Maybe again this fall. Our health is fine but stamina in face of increasingly hot summers ( or is that just us?) has us saying nay to going out in the heat.

My original reason for joining and buying my MacX was that ‘old guard’ member Chip Hindes. His stories here on the forum are the only reason I picked the Mac over my other choices back then in 2004. And no regrets at all.

And I second the notion that Sumner’s posts were (are?) educational and entertaining.

Cheers and fair seas.

Opie

MacGregorSailors.com

Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?

Re: Where are the "old guard" of this forum?