I'm not 100 % sure about the validity of this guy's travels, or his sanity (though sometimes it seems insane to spend most of the prime of one's life tredging through the working world...)yet it does seem true. Richard
Wild "non-lake boat" MacGregor 26s dude,
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Proof that SAILING SENSE can be FUN...
No Doubt, this fella has levels of SAILING ENJOYMENT few folks ever find. But, he obviously has SAILING SENSE. Never mock a Mac26S (my previous boat)...They're real TOUGH. Ive found my Mac26X just as TOUGH...maybe "stronger" after examining fiberglass thickness, water tightness, and studying other SAILOR STORIES about the MacX. By the way, a young fella 17 yr old sailed around the world in a 23 FT. Sloop.
No Doubt, this fella has levels of SAILING ENJOYMENT few folks ever find. But, he obviously has SAILING SENSE. Never mock a Mac26S (my previous boat)...They're real TOUGH. Ive found my Mac26X just as TOUGH...maybe "stronger" after examining fiberglass thickness, water tightness, and studying other SAILOR STORIES about the MacX. By the way, a young fella 17 yr old sailed around the world in a 23 FT. Sloop.
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william
I'll take my comments back
I apologize for calling the Mac 26 an abomination, it's obviously a capable craft. Never travelling north of Boston or South of New York in my Cal, my sailing ground is far more limited than this explorer and his Mac. Robin Lee Graham would be proud.
I apologize for calling the Mac 26 an abomination, it's obviously a capable craft. Never travelling north of Boston or South of New York in my Cal, my sailing ground is far more limited than this explorer and his Mac. Robin Lee Graham would be proud.
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William
Mac 25 to Austraila
I read a story of a couple that sailed their Mac 25 from Toronto to Australia. As much as a I am a fan of the 25 this had to be a long trip but I have know doubt that the boat could handle it, it is more a matter of if the crew could handle it.
I read a story of a couple that sailed their Mac 25 from Toronto to Australia. As much as a I am a fan of the 25 this had to be a long trip but I have know doubt that the boat could handle it, it is more a matter of if the crew could handle it.
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Tom
Shows little experience and big dreams
I think that dreamers in their little boats think up big adventures. Then you get a crazy person that trys to live the dream. But a reality check is always a good thing before getting in too deep. When you are feeling like circumnavigating in your Mac 25 just go out of the bay on a 30 knot day. Surf down a few big breaking waves and see if you broach and roll...remember it is much better to broach and roll near rescue than way off shore. I saw the results of a broach and roll a 22' catalina with a broken mast and a hole in the hull from the mast. The boat didn't sink and was towed to a ramp and put on a trailer. 25 miles out it would probably been fatal. The thing that has impressed me the most about the sea is how quickly it changes. It is probably very possible for a dreamer to get far enough offshore in good weather to make it impossible to sail back when a gale hits. I loved my 1988 Mac 26 and owned it for about 7 years. But it had limited ability. My friends mac 25 had less ability than my Mac 26. No reasonable person would consider either suitable for offshore use. Heck even my 32'3" Pearson is not considered by it's designer to be suitable for blue water cruising. The lead in my keel weighs about the same as two mac 25's. The funniest thing about the epic voyages in tiny craft is that on a typical 25knot day very few boats are out in the bay!!! Almost none will go out of the pass on such a day. When I see some real Mac 25's sailing in Andrew's bay or Mobile bay in 25 knot conditions I'll believe some of these fantasies. Heck even in the lakes in Tennessee I can't remember any sailboats going out on 25 knot days. On 25 knot days even the fishermen hide way back up in coves and stay close to the launch ramp. My pearson 323 requires a reef and I usually roll up the headsail on a 25 knot day. I stress that I loved my Mac 26 and my friend loved his Mac 25. They are great boats for their intended purpose. If I buy another trailerable sailboat an older Mac is high on the list. Tom
I think that dreamers in their little boats think up big adventures. Then you get a crazy person that trys to live the dream. But a reality check is always a good thing before getting in too deep. When you are feeling like circumnavigating in your Mac 25 just go out of the bay on a 30 knot day. Surf down a few big breaking waves and see if you broach and roll...remember it is much better to broach and roll near rescue than way off shore. I saw the results of a broach and roll a 22' catalina with a broken mast and a hole in the hull from the mast. The boat didn't sink and was towed to a ramp and put on a trailer. 25 miles out it would probably been fatal. The thing that has impressed me the most about the sea is how quickly it changes. It is probably very possible for a dreamer to get far enough offshore in good weather to make it impossible to sail back when a gale hits. I loved my 1988 Mac 26 and owned it for about 7 years. But it had limited ability. My friends mac 25 had less ability than my Mac 26. No reasonable person would consider either suitable for offshore use. Heck even my 32'3" Pearson is not considered by it's designer to be suitable for blue water cruising. The lead in my keel weighs about the same as two mac 25's. The funniest thing about the epic voyages in tiny craft is that on a typical 25knot day very few boats are out in the bay!!! Almost none will go out of the pass on such a day. When I see some real Mac 25's sailing in Andrew's bay or Mobile bay in 25 knot conditions I'll believe some of these fantasies. Heck even in the lakes in Tennessee I can't remember any sailboats going out on 25 knot days. On 25 knot days even the fishermen hide way back up in coves and stay close to the launch ramp. My pearson 323 requires a reef and I usually roll up the headsail on a 25 knot day. I stress that I loved my Mac 26 and my friend loved his Mac 25. They are great boats for their intended purpose. If I buy another trailerable sailboat an older Mac is high on the list. Tom
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Tom
Hi Dave Glad that you are happy
Hi dave; I am glad that you are happy with the Mac. Without any doubt I had more fun on that boat than any other boat that I've owned. Cheapest fun ever too. Hopefully my wife and I will soon take a long trip on our pearson and rack up some more fun on this boat. The best thing about the Mac is it's simplicity!!!! Dave a sail over to PC is easily doable in your Mac. I would stay inside and pick my days. Sailing down Santa Rosa sound is about as good as it gets in a small boat. If you decide to come to PC let me know and we'll try to be there. You can anchor in Watson's Bayou and we'll go out for food and drink...I'll even sneak you into our marina's bathrooms for a shower. Don't underestimate Mobile Bay!!!! With about 30 miles of fetch and only 12' deep it can get very rough. One guy at Dog river told me he almost lost his boat because the keel was hitting the bottom in the wave troughs!!!! But most days it is a great place to sail. Tom
Hi dave; I am glad that you are happy with the Mac. Without any doubt I had more fun on that boat than any other boat that I've owned. Cheapest fun ever too. Hopefully my wife and I will soon take a long trip on our pearson and rack up some more fun on this boat. The best thing about the Mac is it's simplicity!!!! Dave a sail over to PC is easily doable in your Mac. I would stay inside and pick my days. Sailing down Santa Rosa sound is about as good as it gets in a small boat. If you decide to come to PC let me know and we'll try to be there. You can anchor in Watson's Bayou and we'll go out for food and drink...I'll even sneak you into our marina's bathrooms for a shower. Don't underestimate Mobile Bay!!!! With about 30 miles of fetch and only 12' deep it can get very rough. One guy at Dog river told me he almost lost his boat because the keel was hitting the bottom in the wave troughs!!!! But most days it is a great place to sail. Tom
He's not trying Tom; He's doing!
Is it pretty crazy....most of us would say yes. Woulsd I try it...probably not, and if I did I would make sure I was as close as possible to shore and a port of reprieve. He's not trying to live his dream though, he is living his dream...guess you have to figuire out whats important to you and calculate the risk. Everybody dies, not everybody lives the way they want to. Heck, Driving is probably much more likeley to ki9ll you than sailing a Mac [not very far] offshore. I commend him for pursuing his desires; for his exploratory attitude, courage, and yes, a bit of craziness. Richard
Is it pretty crazy....most of us would say yes. Woulsd I try it...probably not, and if I did I would make sure I was as close as possible to shore and a port of reprieve. He's not trying to live his dream though, he is living his dream...guess you have to figuire out whats important to you and calculate the risk. Everybody dies, not everybody lives the way they want to. Heck, Driving is probably much more likeley to ki9ll you than sailing a Mac [not very far] offshore. I commend him for pursuing his desires; for his exploratory attitude, courage, and yes, a bit of craziness. Richard
H
higgs
a blind squirrel would be torn apart....
by a predator if blind. Your title makes no sense. You can't compare the two. This guy has been sailing off central american shores for years. Your analogy to a blind rodent is wrongly disrespectful. Your title says nothing.
by a predator if blind. Your title makes no sense. You can't compare the two. This guy has been sailing off central american shores for years. Your analogy to a blind rodent is wrongly disrespectful. Your title says nothing.
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