Racing the 26D Classic

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alabamaranger

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Sep 5, 2012
78
Macgregor 26D Pell City AL
Have this friend at the marina with a Beneteau 235 with a fixed keel. Our 1988 Mac 26D will pass him up when we are racing. Of course we are running a bigger jib up front - but we are heaver and longer.

Well he has bought a 150 for his front jib this week since he does not like to be left behind. I am running with the dagger board down about 20".

Any suggestion on how to get the most out of the boat in case he puts up a fight - ha? I hate to eat crow - should I be worried? Maybe less keel on the boat? Shorter dagger board?

Video from the race

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LseGsks5sWg
 
THECUSCUS

THECUSCUS

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Sep 25, 2008
961
Macgregor & Island Packet VENTURE 25 & IP-38 NORTH EAST, MD
The average PHRF rating of the Benny is in the low 190's, the average of a 26D is 210. He should be always be ahead of you, if he can sail the boat to its potential. If you're ahead then you are sailing your boat at or above its rating. Switch boats and see which one is "faster". My guess is it'll be the one you're sailing. With his bigger headsail, he should be able to sail closer to the rating, which means he should be out in front. As long as you're within 20 seconds of him per mile raced, then you're still beating him even though you're behind him! The joy of the handicap. Let us know how it turns out.
 
JDK

JDK

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Jul 12, 2007
213
Mac 26D 1988 New Port Richey, Fl
From our experience, don't worry much about the daggerboard. We never raised it unless we were headed into shallow water or running downwind. From your video, you don't mind heeling a little, which the D model loves.
Good luck!

JDK
 

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Doc_holiday

Doc_holiday

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Nov 19, 2011
1,489
MacGregor 26S Hampton, VA
I liked your video and it reminded me to ask a question off that topic so I will post it as a new one so as not to derail yours.
 
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alabamaranger

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Sep 5, 2012
78
Macgregor 26D Pell City AL
We smoked them. We must been so far ahead, no way they would ever catch up. My son sailed the Mac 26D, I helped in my buddies Cat 22 which was the the slowest. The Benny just did not have it. The Mac26D is a fast boat. The Benny GPS said 11 MPH was his top speed so we must have been above that - which don't make since. That would mean we were above 11? I know a normal light wind day she cruises at 4 to 6 MPH. The mac26 GPS batteries died so who knows.
 

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Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
THECUSCUS said:
The average PHRF rating of the Benny is in the low 190's, the average of a 26D is 210. He should be always be ahead of you, if he can sail the boat to its potential. If you're ahead then you are sailing your boat at or above its rating. Switch boats and see which one is "faster". My guess is it'll be the one you're sailing. With his bigger headsail, he should be able to sail closer to the rating, which means he should be out in front. As long as you're within 20 seconds of him per mile raced, then you're still beating him even though you're behind him! The joy of the handicap. Let us know how it turns out.
Click to expand
Cus called it perfectly. The 235 rates faster, so with good crew and sails, all else being equal it should beat the mac boat-on-boat every time. Its not in your case, so the most likely explanation is you're a better racer than the other guy. Him throwing money at the problem probably will not chance the outcome!
 
walt

walt

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Jun 1, 2007
3,538
Macgregor 26S Hobie TI Ridgway Colorado
11 mph???

You always have to question GPS peak speed readings. If the GPS makes a small posiition error and doesnt throw this data out, it can record a speed reading that is significantly higher than the actual speed. I went through this recently and had reset the trip parameters and let the GPS run with the boat sitting in the driveway. GPS speeds looked correct while I was watching (ie, zero) but after some hours I had a reading of 10.7 mph and a trip distance of 214 foot. This leads me to beleive that the GPS took one position reading that was 214 foot off (or 1/2 that and made an "round trip") and that is how it got the 10.7 mph false reading. It also wasnt just this one unit that did this, three out of three units Ive checked will give false peak speed readings.

Ive never seen my 26S get up anywhere near 11 mph.. I suppose with a spinaker and surfing a big wave it might be possible but if its on the day of those pictures, I could be wrong but that looks like an out of whack GPS reading.

By the way, great pictures, enjoyed them!
 
THECUSCUS

THECUSCUS

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Sep 25, 2008
961
Macgregor & Island Packet VENTURE 25 & IP-38 NORTH EAST, MD
It's obvious, by your picture of the Benny, that he has a lot to learn about sail trim. Buy him Don's sail guide, and then race him. Beating other "name brand" boats with my Mac is very rewarding. Continue the good work.
 
willsnow

willsnow

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Jul 1, 2012
306
MacGregor 26D Kirkland, WA
yeah, in that one picture it looks like he either doesnt have the jib halyard tight or its just all bagged out and old. and looks like you almost got a gunwale in the water! fun!!
 
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alabamaranger

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Sep 5, 2012
78
Macgregor 26D Pell City AL
willsnow said:
yeah, in that one picture it looks like he either doesnt have the jib halyard tight or its just all bagged out and old. and looks like you almost got a gunwale in the water! fun!!
Click to expand
He just bought the 150 jib. Suppose to be new. The 11 MPH was wrong. I checked our GPS and before it died, the max speed was 7 mph during some time. I am sure it had to be more since we went out today and did 7mph with less wind.

Fun part was being onsome elses and see your's fly by. Nice to be able to take pictures. I was on a Cat 22 that took last place. This was just a fun cruise race to have some fun with others.
 
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alabamaranger

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Sep 5, 2012
78
Macgregor 26D Pell City AL
JDK said:
From our experience, don't worry much about the daggerboard. We never raised it unless we were headed into shallow water or running downwind. From your video, you don't mind heeling a little, which the D model loves.
Good luck!

JDK
Click to expand

Great picture - have any more?
 
A

alexco38

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Sep 25, 2008
1,096
CS 30 Toronto
willsnow said:
yeah, in that one picture it looks like he either doesnt have the jib halyard tight or its just all bagged out and old. and looks like you almost got a gunwale in the water! fun!!
Click to expand
You'll get faster if you sheet in the jib until the inside telltale flows smooth. Secondly, the lower the center board the less leway. You'll point higher too.

Rail in the water although fun but it is slower because of side slip. Ease the main sheet to reduce the heel. You'll go even faster.

Anyway, you have fun.
 
willsnow

willsnow

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Jul 1, 2012
306
MacGregor 26D Kirkland, WA
alabamaranger said:
Fun part was being onsome elses and see your's fly by. Nice to be able to take pictures. I was on a Cat 22 that took last place. This was just a fun cruise race to have some fun with others.
Click to expand

ive often wished i could see mine gliding by under full sails... but then i would be missing out on sailing her! like you, i think i need to be on a friends boat
 
Jackdaw

Jackdaw

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Nov 8, 2010
11,386
Beneteau First 36.7 & 260 Minneapolis MN & Bayfield WI
alabamaranger said:
Have this friend at the marina with a Beneteau 235 with a fixed keel. Our 1988 Mac 26D will pass him up when we are racing.
Click to expand
Bama,

Are you actually racing?, as in going to windward close hauled?

All boat's PHRF ratings are based on that. The 26 has a longer waterline, so while reaching (like in the pictures and cool vid) the 26 will normally be faster than the 21.5 foot long First 235.
 
A

alabamaranger

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Sep 5, 2012
78
Macgregor 26D Pell City AL
Jackdaw said:
Bama,

Are you actually racing?, as in going to windward close hauled?

All boat's PHRF ratings are based on that. The 26 has a longer waterline, so while reaching (like in the pictures and cool vid) the 26 will normally be faster than the 21.5 foot long First 235.
Click to expand
Just fun racing - We picked a spot on the map to sail to and than turn around at that spot and come back.

Here is a video my son put together. At one point (slide picture) you can see the distance the Mac put between the Benny and Cat 22.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPqMo5_I8jg&feature=youtube_gdata_player
 
D

doehunter

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Sep 26, 2010
808
Macgregor 1993 26S Houston
That looks fun.
Over the last 2 years I've seen a lot of 6mph, and sometimes 7 mph in short duration.
a couple of times it flashed 8 mph. I sail in the bay where there is current though and I never really know which way it's going.
I think my sails are pretty baggy, as they are original '93 sails.
I never get good speed with the boom all the way in like I see on the fancier boats.
I'd guess it's always at least 15-20 degrees out.
I also agree that I never get any better speed when I'm heeled very far. Not sure the exact angle, but it could be 20.
 
Doc_holiday

Doc_holiday

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Nov 19, 2011
1,489
MacGregor 26S Hampton, VA
I seem to do best when i limit the heel to 12-15 degrees although this is just my experience. You go 20 when you want to play with your passengers heads.
 
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