MacGregorSailors.com

My wife and I finished our ASA Basic Keelboat course last weekend, and went on our first sail without supervision Wednesday evening. Apart from one accidental jibe, I think we did OK, and we certainly had a great time. We rented the little Catalina 22 at Stockton lake Marina for the evening, and sailed for about 4 hours. We packed a couple of sandwiches, and even managed to eat our dinner aboard while hove too. I wasn't so sure I could repeat that manuever, and while it was definitely not done in a textbook fashion, it worked some how. While the breezes were light and variable, we managed to stay between 2.5 and 4 knots most of the time, which was sure better than we did during the actual course sailing days. We were lucky to get over 2 knots both days.

We are looking forward to renting this little boat several more times this summer to get our feet wet before we look to buy. Sadly but not surprisingly, Captain Larry was not a Mac fan, and spent quite a bit of time explaining how lightly rigged and built the boat is. He allowed for it being just barely acceptable for lake sailing, but unfit for any real bodies of water. I frowned appropriately and acted like I was very glad to get his sage advice (and a lot of it was quite good) but I am still convinced that the Mac is the best fit for our future needs. It will probably be a long time before I am a good enough sailor to exceed its capacities.

Sorry for posting this here as it is not exactly on topic, but I needed to share this with people who would understand. Most people down in these parts can't comprehend why anyone would look past a bass boat for travel by water.

David

I love my Mac, but I am glad it was not my first sailboat. I am glad I did not learn to sail on a Mac X nor M. They are IMHO much more difficult to sail than a traditional forgiving single purpose boat. I learned on Lightnings, Scows, Venture 14, Hobie 16, and a Hunter 22. Macs are not as responsive, nor predictable IMHO as most other sailboats. The tnings I learned about how a sailboat should behave don't always work on the Mac, but at least I know what SHOULD happen. I know what to aim for, even if it won't happen quite the same. If I had learned on a Mac, without knowing the difference, .... I would not be nearly as good a sailor in general... Still learning how to use the unique properties of the Mac....

Congrats!

By the way, my M is down on Stockton...

Hi DLT. Was yours in the State Park Marina? Berthed in the slip nearest the shore on the far row? If so, I hope I wiped all my drool off of it. Very nice boat.

Thats it... Black sail covers and Bimini... I think I left a blue float chair on top of the cabin, I wonder if its still there...

I wasn't able to make it down last weekend, and may not this weekend... Oh well...

If you like, I'll drop you a note when I'm headed that way if it looks like I'll have a chance to actually go sailing...

David,

Welcome abd. I also did the ASA-BKB back in May on the Capri 22. That's a great little boat! Agree w/Alex about the differences with the Mac.

Also agree w/your instructor, the Mac is VERY lightly rigged, In fact, about half the rigging of that Catalina 22. Disagree though that it can only sail inland lakes. It sails just fine on our Bay. Can't help it if the 22 is over-built!

Also agree w/you ... The Mac has lots to offer anyhow, and I'm still absolutely satisfied with it after 6 years. In fact, regardless of the sailing prowess of the 3 keelboats I've sailed, they still can't deliver nearly as much overall recreation as the Mac 26.

I guess it comes down to what you expect from the boat David. If you want to race then one can argue that the Mac isnt a good choice.

As far as being unfit for 'real bodies of water ????" I would put him in touch with Mad Mike......

(seriously, you did the right thing by frowning and taking his advice, then researching yourself....)

For an easy to trailer boat that I can drift on the Hudson for an afternoon with the girls, and then take to Nantucket the next day, it cant be beat!!

Alx, I am with you. The Mac is harder to sail than a traditional sailboat and its interesting how it is being marketed as an entry level boat which is easy to sail. I think that statement is more about the value, which of course I think is exceptional. As another Mac buyer who had significant experience with other boats beforehand, it can be a bit perplexing how it is more difficult to sail the boat with just the mainsail than with the headsail. But once you get past these things, it is pretty much the best overall boat you can get. Having pretty much the best of both worlds, I race other people's sail boats where the only amenity in the cabin is a pee bucket. You know the old saying about teasing girls in grade school...it was the ones you liked. So frankly, I think the sailing purists are just jealous when I sail by with my frozen drink in hand, popcorn cooking in the microwave, etc.

Thanks for all the input. After months of reading here and other places, it still looks like the best choice for us. Lots of compromises, but I figure if you can only afford one boat, best to get one that does as much as possible. Right now I see us doing a lot of evening sails for 3-4 hours. Even on the first one, I was wishing I had that big engine so that we could get further down the lake without worrying about having enough time to sail back before the marina closed. One thing worries me a little though, it sounds like I may actually be disappointed in the Mac's sailing capabilities if I get too used to other boats? As much as I like the flexibility of the power boat aspect, the spacious cabin, and the ease of trailerability, it still needs to be a sailboat first and foremost.

DLT, I would love an opportunity to crew on your boat any time that is convenient. I guess leaving me a message here would be as easy a way to make contact as any? Sure appreciate the offer.

I owned a Mac 26-S, prior to my Mac X. I think the "S" sails as well comparible to anything else on the water (thats my opinion, and experience). We now have the "X", and although "pointing" can sometimes be an issue, the boat is an awesome family safe comfortable versatile boat--meets our expectations 100%. Since we're "fair weather" sailors, and enjoy overnighting on the Mac...I cant find better for the $$$

DavidG--I betcha you'll like the MAC too. You'll probably have the same complaints as I about the quality of the Mac Trailer though.

I think competitors overlook the fact that we Mac owners can empty that 1500 lbs of ballast, hook up, stock some food and goodies inside, and "seek out" distant water ways at our convenience. Isnt that awesome that we know and appreciate that. At least I do

I have to disagree a little here. I have sailed many boats in the past so I have a little to compare. I think the Mac is easy to sail, but whats to sailing any way? Put up a sail and go where the wind blows you. I think the Mac is very forgiving sailboat. And its used offshore all the time.
The rigging is ok too. Where the mac side stays are attached, the boat is pulled from its mold there. Very strong. A weighted keel boat has a way diff. feel then the mac but not any better. just diff. The mac is a light boat
but seems to be strong enough to take some abuse. Many people are buying this boat now and they are showing up in great numbers all over the place. I have yet to hear of a sinking or break up of these boats.
Any one that has used a Mac for any time starts to wonder where all this
cheaply made hardly sails beginners boat stuff comes from. The mac will
go safely where any boat her size can go. There are exceptions of course
like the norsea thats nothing more than a over built large cork with a weight on the bottom.

I think the Mac rep. is way over done and it comes mostly from people that never set foot on one. They just repeat what they hear. But there is a snob factor that goes along with sailing and has for many many years.
The guy sailing a 33 foot hunter snobs the Mac but when hes around a
a 45 foot Island packet he gets snobed and so on and so on. Not much of a snob factor with the Mac folks because we are already at the bottom of the snob scale. Maybe thats why I would rather spend the day around
a bunch of Mac folks then any other sailors. But things are changing just like this board has. When I first came to this board as a new M owner
I cant tell you how bad it was from you X guys at first. Most were kidding or not real serious but some were down right mean. But things changed and now you X guys have to play nice because there are so many new M guys here. And I have to tell you, you X guys that are left are some of the nicest guys around.

Well Im frustrated I want to be at the boat now and I have to work tonight so Ill get my fix Sunday. and any of you people that are thinking about buying a mac now do so with your head held high because no matter what you hear shes a great little boat. And if it wasnt for the X guys blazing the trail and buying these boats in the past Macgregor would be out of biz. and
there wouldnt be any new ones for sale now.

aya16..."dittos", and youre "right on"...

Happy Sailing

Well, I haven't had any experience on other sailboats...let me clear that up right away. Last year, I bought a used 2002 MacX and I couldn't be happier. I think I got the sailing bug many many years ago and just didn't know it. It may have started with an appreciation of Jimmy Buffett tunes and dreams of far off places. About 7 years of reading about the Mac and I decided to take the plunge. The first few sails were a little tense because of no training (that course costs how much?) but I learned a little every time (how does one dock this thing in a river with 4kt current?) and couldn't be happier. I think that if the Mac X is so hard to sail, then that's the boat I'd like to learn on. If the Hunters, Catalinas etc... are so easy to sail, then I can say "HAH, I can sail a Mac". Honestly though, It's a great boat to learn with. The little nuances of the Mac definately keep me on my toes. I'm sure I'll be enjoying this "toy" for years to come.
Keep on Sailing.........
........................ Aloha
Randy McCotter

After going from a MacM to a 36ft 18,000lb Ketch....I think (and the admiral does also) that the larger boat IS easier to sail and handle...all that momentum wants to go straight.

But that doesn't mean the Mac was a Bad boat...We loved our time with our Mac.

We were sailing a few weeks ago in 30knts of wind in 14ft seas and actually Felt comfortable...now if we were on the Mac...we would have been beat to a pulp....I've been there. But being beat to a pulp does't mean the boat is Bad or will break apart like some critics say...it is just lighter and like ANY lighter boat.....has disadvantages over a 18,000 tank.

I've only been able to get 15 deg of heal out of the Pearons...I'm sure she will heal more...but that's all I've seen....but I can get 15 deg of heal from the mac without trying...

BUT at Full RPM I can only go 7.5 knts........so there is a BIG tradeoff!

30 knts of wind Im on the trailer having some two buck chuck.

And yes the mac will get you over to 15 deg without even trying. But
if the wind is 15knts and you adjust the sails right you can keep her at 10to 15 degs easy. I didnt say the mac will let you set sail and forget it, you have to work a little. Or take down the jib or let the main out alot. but it can be set to ride and sail just like any sail boat. You just have to do it quicker than a heavy boat. Learning the Mac is part of the process, if you come from a keel boat you have to learn everything all over again, if you never sailed before then the Mac will be very forgiving as you learn.

you know that pearson weighs tons more than the Mac and with that you can set sail set course and go on your way and pretty much forget it. but
coming into a crowded marina or cove where you have to move around trying to get in, the Mac will do circles around other boats, stop on a dime with the power she has and moore in shallow water where others cant.
but shes a capable comfortable and safe sailboat when people take the time to learn how to use it.