Hi we are new Mac owners, we recently aquired trinity a 86 Mac 25, we are new to boats and sailing. Our friends have a 40 ft 97 hunter, they got us into the sport. So I have taken a few lessons and been out with our friends, my husband has driven powerboats. The boat is moored in Penetang bay at Hindsons. Its our first weekend with it. Our friends wanted us to sail to Beckwith island, a good 4 hour sail for an experienced sailor. We said no not a good idea we should go to somewhere close or just putter and go back to the slip, Day one strong winds...get boat out of slip (with some work as we were being blown around) putter out halfway to the mouth of the bay...yikes big storm clouds moving lightning rod, turn around go back. Day two: pack up 3 phone calls from friends with big boat...come to beckwith meet us there...(no I dont think so) the day started out with moderate winds... got out into the bay put the mainsail up moderate winds...sailing, for a little while, till we tried to tack, somehow the way it was rigged I coulnt swing the boom. so fortunately we dropped our sail, because as soon as we did that the wind realy picked up, 4ft swells, white caps........so now we are halfway out into the bay, bobbing like a cork. Im singing the jimmy buffet song wish I was somewhere other then here.... we decided to make a run for Beausoleil island and try to get an anchor down, we got to the southern tip of the island but the waves were so big,, that we missed the marker for the big SANDBAR! the depth meter went from...20ft to 3 in 30 seconds. RETRACT THE KEEL! we got off the sandbar and to papoose bay. Anchor down (stiff drink) after we regrouped we hopped to the next bay that had a dock (Beausoleil is a national park only accessable by boat). got off the boat kissed the dry land. I went for a walk while my husband and daughter played on the playground equipment, 7 year old sarah thought the waves were fun.... I found the next cove over and a Mac 26 pulled up almost to the beach, apparently a bunch of people there were from our marina, their were several very helpful couples with Cats, One of them (named Jeff) offered to help Steve (husband) get our boat and bring it over, as I was not wanting to get on the boat again yet. We got the boat anchored and we were safely in, this was around 2pm, I had turned both my cel phone and radio off to conserve batterys. Meanwhile our friends with the hunter, tried to go to beckwith, where it was 6-8ft swells, they turned around and went back to the marina, there were capsized boats all over coast guard calls, a 26 six ft sailboat sunk near whisky island. They cant find us. They get back and come looking for us. No boat. I think they were worried, when they finaly got us they couldnt believe that we were at Beausoleil, in one piece. We sailed most of the way home yesterday, in tough condtions. Moral of our story: My friend didnt like my boat choice. I liked the Mac because it was affordable trailerable and in great condition plus they dont look like a tub. The mac stood up to a pounding, didnt sink, and got us safely out in weather we should not have been sailing in. Also as new boaters: Boat people are friendly and very helpful, I would buy a Mac again. and when its time to upgrade we will be looking for another one. Spoty
thanks. My only concern is that my swing keel feels loose to me, Its going up and down but seems to be moving side to side, as I havent had the boat in rough waters Im not sure how much movement the keel should have, I know it will have a bit as its not a precison keel..but it seems a little loose for my comfort? any ideas on that? Spoty