Considering a Mac 26M. We have previously owned a Hunter 240 water ballast and we were extremely dissapointed with it. Very tender. How does the Mac 26 handle and sail. Any information about this boat will be appreciated. Thanks, Ernie
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Previous Hobiecat sailor.
I tried to let other people with more experience answer but you were about to fall off the edge of the page. I love our 26M You can make it heal over if you want to(Hobie sailor) or trim the sails. On a reach with full load, wife and 3 kids, we have had it sailing 8-9 mph(since then I have changed GPS to KPH but haven't been out) but don't know the wind spead. The rigging was not well adjusted at that time. Seems to have enough room but on the 2003 we had to add more sette storage. Easy to rig and put in the water.trailered it from "north coast" to south coast twice with single axle trailor but tires went bad in georgia on the second time back. Could only go 65 safely with GMC Envoy(sway problems passing semi at higher speeds) but can go 75 or more with GMC 2500 pick up.
I tried to let other people with more experience answer but you were about to fall off the edge of the page. I love our 26M You can make it heal over if you want to(Hobie sailor) or trim the sails. On a reach with full load, wife and 3 kids, we have had it sailing 8-9 mph(since then I have changed GPS to KPH but haven't been out) but don't know the wind spead. The rigging was not well adjusted at that time. Seems to have enough room but on the 2003 we had to add more sette storage. Easy to rig and put in the water.trailered it from "north coast" to south coast twice with single axle trailor but tires went bad in georgia on the second time back. Could only go 65 safely with GMC Envoy(sway problems passing semi at higher speeds) but can go 75 or more with GMC 2500 pick up.
It's all relative
Not sure about the M, but I think the prevailing opinion is that 26C/S/D are solid sailors. But it's all relative. A Mac (any model) is going to feel very tender compared to an Island Packet or Pacific Seacraft. But those are in a completely different class of boat. I think Mac's are more or less just as stable as anything else I've ever sailed in the 20-26' trailerable class. But I've never sailed a Hunter water ballast. Personally I think the M and X are not great if sailing is your #1 criteria and you won't be using a 20+ HP motor and/or jetskiing behind it.
Not sure about the M, but I think the prevailing opinion is that 26C/S/D are solid sailors. But it's all relative. A Mac (any model) is going to feel very tender compared to an Island Packet or Pacific Seacraft. But those are in a completely different class of boat. I think Mac's are more or less just as stable as anything else I've ever sailed in the 20-26' trailerable class. But I've never sailed a Hunter water ballast. Personally I think the M and X are not great if sailing is your #1 criteria and you won't be using a 20+ HP motor and/or jetskiing behind it.
MAC 26M is a Motorsailer
The MAC 26M is a compromise in design. It is perfect for my needs. I sail on the west coast of Florida where the water is shallow and I have to motor about 4 miles from the marina to the open water so the abilty to have a large motor and higher motoring speeds is great especially if an afternoon thunderstorm comes up and I need to get back in a hurry. Being able to put on a trailer and move out of the way of hurricanes is another advantage. As for sailing it is tender to a point as is nearly any water ballasted boat. It heals fairly quickly and then stiffens up as the ballast starts rising out of the water. I find I reef at 12 knots which helps control heel but don't lose any significant speed. You need to test sail a MAC before you buy one. If none of the conditions I have mentioned are applicable to you and sailing performance especially to windward is your major concern then you may want to look elsewhere, but if you are looking for a motorsailer in the 20-28 class you can't beat it.
The MAC 26M is a compromise in design. It is perfect for my needs. I sail on the west coast of Florida where the water is shallow and I have to motor about 4 miles from the marina to the open water so the abilty to have a large motor and higher motoring speeds is great especially if an afternoon thunderstorm comes up and I need to get back in a hurry. Being able to put on a trailer and move out of the way of hurricanes is another advantage. As for sailing it is tender to a point as is nearly any water ballasted boat. It heals fairly quickly and then stiffens up as the ballast starts rising out of the water. I find I reef at 12 knots which helps control heel but don't lose any significant speed. You need to test sail a MAC before you buy one. If none of the conditions I have mentioned are applicable to you and sailing performance especially to windward is your major concern then you may want to look elsewhere, but if you are looking for a motorsailer in the 20-28 class you can't beat it.
other points
In addition to the sailing qualities of the M - the accommodations are unlike other sailers. The M seems to favor cabin over cockpit room. The M in our marina has a very small cockpit compared to our S model. Whatever floats your boat as they say.
In addition to the sailing qualities of the M - the accommodations are unlike other sailers. The M seems to favor cabin over cockpit room. The M in our marina has a very small cockpit compared to our S model. Whatever floats your boat as they say.
5 adults
I guess thats the most disapointing thing about sail boats. So little real room topside as compared to length. I had 5 on yesterday, and pretty much just go on one tack and took it as far as we could go. (3 virgins) How many adults is your comfort level? I guess that depends on if they are dead weight or not.
I guess thats the most disapointing thing about sail boats. So little real room topside as compared to length. I had 5 on yesterday, and pretty much just go on one tack and took it as far as we could go. (3 virgins) How many adults is your comfort level? I guess that depends on if they are dead weight or not.
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