Learning to sail with a Macgregor 26

[Peter]

We are considering to buy a Macgregor 26 but before making the transaction we would like to learn how to sail the Macgregor. We took the ASA classes in Miami but not on the MG 26.
Is there a sailing school using Macgregor for teaching classes? Is there someone in souht florida who gives lessons with Macgregor sailboats?
Thanks
Peter

 

[Dennis]

Its Pretty Easy

I'm 66 years old. My wife and I purchased our first boat, a 2006 MacGregor 26M, just last November. We've had some sailing experience, but that was many years ago. Essentially, we're starting over from scratch.

Learning to sail on this boat is fairly easy. I think this factor is a real plus for the Mac. If we can do it anyone can. But, this is not a fast sailboat.

If you've taken a few lessons, even in a dinghy, you can do it. Just don't go out when winds exceed, say 15 MPH, until you have more experience.

A furling headsail,(Genoa or Jib), really helps.

Another plus is that if you're far from your marina at the end of the day, you can always motor back.

Happy sailing!

Dennis

 

[oldman]

yes you can sail it

In response I am 67 and just took ASA lessons at Hernando beach Florida last fall and loved it. We bought a 2004 26M but new with a new 50 HP. Spending my kids inheritance. We haven't been out much yet, but yes it is easy for us to sail. We were surprised at how little or almost no wind and it would move alongwith us amateurs.I want my wife with me, but after getting it launched I think that I could sail it by myself. We trained in Basic Keelboat on 24 or 25' Hunter or catalina and took coastal cruising on a 35 footer.We were told by the instructor that the Mac wasn't good as apower boat or a sail boat either, but after sailing with the dagger board and the water ballast and the 50 HP motor and being able to trailer on a single axel trailer with todays gas prices we think its right for us.

 

[Mac26x]

beginners tips

Sailing an M26 is easy to learn. Think of it as a big dingy rather than a ballasted keel boat. If the winds are at all brisk, reef the main at the dock before you go out. Have a 140 or 150 Genoa on a furler. Even in moderate wind the Mac sails very well with the main reefed because the Genoa is the power sail on the Mac. In a moderate wind having the main reefed gives more unrestricted air to the genoa at many points of sail, with less heeling when gusts come up. If the air is light, it's easy to unreef the main. Also, a partial centerboard or daggerboard will reduce heeling in gusts, with little loss of headway.

 

[David F]

MacGregor first timers- GENOA Question

I too am 66 and just purchased or first boat (1988 26D) and have had maybe 12-15 hours of sailing (informal instruction). We have had her out 5 times and learn a little everytime (like no more than 10-12 MPH winds for a novice). My boat does have a Genoa but have never used it. One thing, I have not seen details on how to rig the dang thing. Anybody have any pix of the details?

 

[Stan Breaux]

Mount it like the jib, but run the sheets differently

Your jib sheets run inside the side stays.
Your genoa sheets run outside of all the side stays.

Then you have 2 fairleads on each side.

Run thre jib sheets through the front fairleads and run the genoa sheets through the aft fairleads.