Too short for ocean use?
Too short for ocean use?
I'm getting my mac ready to make some trips in the future and I was discussing possible costal use in the Gulf off Texas or Mississippi with one of their salespeople who sails out of Port Aransis. It was his opinion that a 26 ft boat was just too short for use in a shallow costal area. The wave action would "beat you to death". I know some members sail in those waters so I would like to have your comments on this problem.
Since no one else responded...
We'll take our X anywhere we'd take our 15' Whaler, and that includes 5-10 miles or so out in the Gulf on a good day, with lots of attention paid to not only the forecast, but radar and satellite images, wind predictions, and tide tables. It's my humble opinion that if a boat is beating you to death, it's because you're going too fast for it and the conditions.
--
Moe
We'll take our X anywhere we'd take our 15' Whaler, and that includes 5-10 miles or so out in the Gulf on a good day, with lots of attention paid to not only the forecast, but radar and satellite images, wind predictions, and tide tables. It's my humble opinion that if a boat is beating you to death, it's because you're going too fast for it and the conditions.
--
Moe
-
Frank C
Agreeing w/ Moe, there are days when a 60 footer would leave you green, but still plenty of days when the 26' Mac will serve you well along the left and right coasts. You just need to pick your days.
We had a great time visiting California's Channel Is. last year, and a group just went to Ensenada, Mexico. Even more challenging, a large contingent of our Easties have cruised the 60 miles across the Gulf Stream to Bimini, as well as the 90 miles (?) to Tortugas.
It's usually more comfortable to cruise with sails up - maybe your south coast is a lot different, but shallow is not a problem for the vertical coasts .... except, I guess, for west FL.
We had a great time visiting California's Channel Is. last year, and a group just went to Ensenada, Mexico. Even more challenging, a large contingent of our Easties have cruised the 60 miles across the Gulf Stream to Bimini, as well as the 90 miles (?) to Tortugas.
It's usually more comfortable to cruise with sails up - maybe your south coast is a lot different, but shallow is not a problem for the vertical coasts .... except, I guess, for west FL.
I think "too short" is simplistic and not the issue, or at least not the main issue.
For example, the UK publ. Practical Boat Owner in 9/04 issue has first person article re 20' trailer sailor crossing North Sea to Holland and back to UK, and in earlier issues had articles re Channel crossings to France in boats under 26 ', and 26X crossing to Scillies trip and cross Channel/ coasting Bay of Biscay/coasting east coast of Spain trip.
What are the issues to consider before taking a 26X or other trailer sailor on the water? For a start, character of the body of water, crew experience and comfort level, boat design and condition, equipment aboard, etc. See the many discussions of the general topic in this and other boards and their archives, and in paper publications of experienced sailors.
Err on the side of caution, good sense and risk avoidance. S**t can happen on the water unexpectedly, fast , and nasty, whether or not your boat is "too short".
For example, the UK publ. Practical Boat Owner in 9/04 issue has first person article re 20' trailer sailor crossing North Sea to Holland and back to UK, and in earlier issues had articles re Channel crossings to France in boats under 26 ', and 26X crossing to Scillies trip and cross Channel/ coasting Bay of Biscay/coasting east coast of Spain trip.
What are the issues to consider before taking a 26X or other trailer sailor on the water? For a start, character of the body of water, crew experience and comfort level, boat design and condition, equipment aboard, etc. See the many discussions of the general topic in this and other boards and their archives, and in paper publications of experienced sailors.
Err on the side of caution, good sense and risk avoidance. S**t can happen on the water unexpectedly, fast , and nasty, whether or not your boat is "too short".
-
TampaMac
- Engineer
- Posts: 142
- Joined: Sat Apr 03, 2004 9:03 am
- Location: Port Richey FL 2002-26X Merc 60 4stroke
Um, I think the question is not about big rollers but rather shallow water chop.
It has been my experiance that for chop the Mac is about the best boat around. At 15-20 mph max the boat will actually do the long water line of the boat will span several choppy little waves at once and you get a great ride.
Most people I take out who are used to maybe a 19 foot runabout are amazed at the cadillac ride of the MAC.
Not sure what kind of chop they have in Texas, but out here in Florida I've found that 21 feet is the minimum size boat to give a good ride in chop - 26 foot of the Mac is more than enough.
Your sales guys is right that there is a minimum size for ride over chop but it is 21 feet. I had a 19 foot flat-bottom boat that rode like a bucking bronco - replaced it with another flat-bottom runabout that was 22 feet and the ride was completely improved.
It has been my experiance that for chop the Mac is about the best boat around. At 15-20 mph max the boat will actually do the long water line of the boat will span several choppy little waves at once and you get a great ride.
Most people I take out who are used to maybe a 19 foot runabout are amazed at the cadillac ride of the MAC.
Not sure what kind of chop they have in Texas, but out here in Florida I've found that 21 feet is the minimum size boat to give a good ride in chop - 26 foot of the Mac is more than enough.
Your sales guys is right that there is a minimum size for ride over chop but it is 21 feet. I had a 19 foot flat-bottom boat that rode like a bucking bronco - replaced it with another flat-bottom runabout that was 22 feet and the ride was completely improved.