Hello everyone. As some of you know, I am a new proud owner of a Mac 22. I love my boat and would give anything to keep her perfect. But I am a novice sailor. Mystique is my very first boat and I am worried. While sailing the boat heels to the side and it makes me afraid. I am not afraid of getting wet, but afraid of ruining my ship. Does anyone know how far (in degrees) an Mac 22 can heel before she turns over? Also what kinds of winds can make this happen. Like I said, I am not afraid of geting wet, but I paid good money for this boat. I love her and I don't want anything to make me lose her. Please reply to gregwright@engineer.com
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M
MArk
Heel
Greg, Although MacGregor's article (related link) refers to the 26X, the same basics apply to the Mac 22. If your shrouds are in reasonably good shape, I don't think you'll damage the boat by heeling excessively. With your swingkeel locked down, the wind will not flip you over, only a wave from the side can do that. Still, sailing with heel over 25 degrees is uncomfortable, and it's not efficient. As the wind increases, it's forces on the sail move farther back. In other words, the wind force goes more to heeling instead of driving the boat forward. You need to correct this problem by first flattening out the sail. This can be accomplished with the combination of a boom vang and a cunningham hole. For best performance, you'll need a baggy sail for light breezes and a flat sail for high winds. Given the proper gadgets and knowledge, you can adjust a single sail for either. If the boat still heels too much, reduce sail area by reefing. This helps two ways. By having less sail area, all forces are weaker. Also, by having the forces lower, the leverage arm making the boat heel is reduced. Read more here too: http://www.wb-sails.fi/news/98_11_PerfectShape/Main.htm Happy sails _/), MArk
Greg, Although MacGregor's article (related link) refers to the 26X, the same basics apply to the Mac 22. If your shrouds are in reasonably good shape, I don't think you'll damage the boat by heeling excessively. With your swingkeel locked down, the wind will not flip you over, only a wave from the side can do that. Still, sailing with heel over 25 degrees is uncomfortable, and it's not efficient. As the wind increases, it's forces on the sail move farther back. In other words, the wind force goes more to heeling instead of driving the boat forward. You need to correct this problem by first flattening out the sail. This can be accomplished with the combination of a boom vang and a cunningham hole. For best performance, you'll need a baggy sail for light breezes and a flat sail for high winds. Given the proper gadgets and knowledge, you can adjust a single sail for either. If the boat still heels too much, reduce sail area by reefing. This helps two ways. By having less sail area, all forces are weaker. Also, by having the forces lower, the leverage arm making the boat heel is reduced. Read more here too: http://www.wb-sails.fi/news/98_11_PerfectShape/Main.htm Happy sails _/), MArk
J
John Dawson
don't heel
Its intoxicating and addictive! The Mac-22 sails like a keelboat on skates. In general, the more you heel, the smaller your sail's profile is, and the more the hunk of metal wants to obey gravity. Somehow it all works, and your boat will let you know with its little happy dance. Remember to check your rigging in minute detail periodically as its probably at least ten years old. Enjoy.
Its intoxicating and addictive! The Mac-22 sails like a keelboat on skates. In general, the more you heel, the smaller your sail's profile is, and the more the hunk of metal wants to obey gravity. Somehow it all works, and your boat will let you know with its little happy dance. Remember to check your rigging in minute detail periodically as its probably at least ten years old. Enjoy.
G
Gregory Wright
B
Bruce
not to worry
Gregory- The smaller Macs are known for being a bit more squirrely (they have "tender heeling" characteristics). They are also advertised to be "self-righting"- in other words, the boat's balance is set up in such a way that with a locked-down keel, it will return to upright position even if knocked down. Releasing the sheets allows the weight of the keel to right the boat without fighting the sails' tendency to catch wind and heel the boat, so don't forget to release the sheets, if you find yourself in the water. The guy I bought my boat from claimed to have had the mast in the water on one side, then flipped to the other, before the boat righted herself. Incidentally, he was caught completely off guard by a major blast- I assume he had everything sheeted to the hilt. He took on NO water in the cabin. Unless your boat has had a significant amount of the flotation foam removed (and some have...), she will not sink with a normal load aboard, even if swamped (you probably know to stay with the boat even if it is swamped, right?). You can sail her aggressively within semi-normal conditions (remember-she's not a blue water boat, particularly), and the worst that SHOULD (famous last words) happen is a bit of water over the rail. I have had a foot of standing water in the cockpit with no adverse affects. Even heeled hard, she probably will not be taking water in the companionway, unless there are also serious stern breaking waves involved. You are mostly vulnerable if you are faced with the combination of 1) being laid flat in a knockdown, and 2) subsequently being hit by a good sized wave. Double whammy- this combination could spell trouble. Not sinking, necessarily, but perhaps rolling or turtling (inverting). If shallow enough, self-righting might not be dependable as the mast could plant itself on the bottom- a common occurence with Hobies. Wave/wind combinations are actually a much bigger issue than heeling caused by wind alone. If you are new to sailing, you may want to gain some experience in progressively harsher conditions- while reading and picking the brains of those who have experience in dealing with more extreme conditions. Try pushing the envelope a little each time as far as your comfort level is concerned. Your boat is safer than you think, and she will take good care of you, if you use your head and sail within your limits. Sail under control and reef early. Nuff said. Take care. Bruce
Gregory- The smaller Macs are known for being a bit more squirrely (they have "tender heeling" characteristics). They are also advertised to be "self-righting"- in other words, the boat's balance is set up in such a way that with a locked-down keel, it will return to upright position even if knocked down. Releasing the sheets allows the weight of the keel to right the boat without fighting the sails' tendency to catch wind and heel the boat, so don't forget to release the sheets, if you find yourself in the water. The guy I bought my boat from claimed to have had the mast in the water on one side, then flipped to the other, before the boat righted herself. Incidentally, he was caught completely off guard by a major blast- I assume he had everything sheeted to the hilt. He took on NO water in the cabin. Unless your boat has had a significant amount of the flotation foam removed (and some have...), she will not sink with a normal load aboard, even if swamped (you probably know to stay with the boat even if it is swamped, right?). You can sail her aggressively within semi-normal conditions (remember-she's not a blue water boat, particularly), and the worst that SHOULD (famous last words) happen is a bit of water over the rail. I have had a foot of standing water in the cockpit with no adverse affects. Even heeled hard, she probably will not be taking water in the companionway, unless there are also serious stern breaking waves involved. You are mostly vulnerable if you are faced with the combination of 1) being laid flat in a knockdown, and 2) subsequently being hit by a good sized wave. Double whammy- this combination could spell trouble. Not sinking, necessarily, but perhaps rolling or turtling (inverting). If shallow enough, self-righting might not be dependable as the mast could plant itself on the bottom- a common occurence with Hobies. Wave/wind combinations are actually a much bigger issue than heeling caused by wind alone. If you are new to sailing, you may want to gain some experience in progressively harsher conditions- while reading and picking the brains of those who have experience in dealing with more extreme conditions. Try pushing the envelope a little each time as far as your comfort level is concerned. Your boat is safer than you think, and she will take good care of you, if you use your head and sail within your limits. Sail under control and reef early. Nuff said. Take care. Bruce
R
Robert
congradulations......
Congrads on your purchase and welcome to the world of sailing. It is indeed a grand sport and passion. All of the advise given previously is very good indeed, and I might add a couple of things. 1) Learn to set your sails properly. Sheeting in the main and jib too aggressively can increase unnecessary heel. Simply let the main sheets out till they begin to luff, and bring them in until they set. The jib is set close to the same way but it helps if you have tattle-tales. When they fly back parrallel, it's done. 2) Learn your boat and yourself. When your comfortable with setting the sails, hold a course (beam reach maybe)and sheet in the main slowly but don't cleat it. Hang on to it. As the boat heels more and more you can control it easier and quickly spill air from the sails if it becomes excessive or scarey. These boats can usually take alot of heel, although I tend to prefer 20 deg. or less because I find more than that becomes demanding and uncomfortable. I prefer to kick back and take my time. If I'm really in a hurry to get somewhere, I'll drive.
Congrads on your purchase and welcome to the world of sailing. It is indeed a grand sport and passion. All of the advise given previously is very good indeed, and I might add a couple of things. 1) Learn to set your sails properly. Sheeting in the main and jib too aggressively can increase unnecessary heel. Simply let the main sheets out till they begin to luff, and bring them in until they set. The jib is set close to the same way but it helps if you have tattle-tales. When they fly back parrallel, it's done. 2) Learn your boat and yourself. When your comfortable with setting the sails, hold a course (beam reach maybe)and sheet in the main slowly but don't cleat it. Hang on to it. As the boat heels more and more you can control it easier and quickly spill air from the sails if it becomes excessive or scarey. These boats can usually take alot of heel, although I tend to prefer 20 deg. or less because I find more than that becomes demanding and uncomfortable. I prefer to kick back and take my time. If I'm really in a hurry to get somewhere, I'll drive.
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