So what's the final verdict on the Muscle Head?

[AWKIII]

Hi Ray,

I agree with you completely about the internet being a sterile environment.

We all have a tendency to read between the lines and predetermine emotion and intent. I enjoy posting to this board but have been relatively conservative when it comes to discussing our products.

There will always be a little bias with me when it come to our sails. I am pretty proud of what we have accomplished with our MacGregor sail line but also know that it could not have been done without the support of the folks on this board.

Aside from getting the best bang for your sail dollar, we stand behind our product. We recently had a problem with a lot of 10 spinnakers that were sold. 4 of them blew out a seam after being used a few times. Spinnakers panels used to be stitched. They are now glued and the product that is used is every bit as strong as stitching. However, if it is not applied correctly, it can cause a failure. We could have done what most lofts do...ask to send the sail back and repair it. We didn't. We replaced every one. Most of the customers went ahead and had the first one repaired and now have a back-up.

Happy Sailing,

Art

[AKCoastie]

Art,

Not to derail the post but is there any update with the 33ft Quasi Mac? You teased us with all those questions and now I am biting at the bit to see what you've turned out.

[AWKIII]

Ahhhh,

Patience grasshopper

Art

[AKCoastie]

Ok ok. Any clues on a timeline at least?

[delevi]

Art,

I think you misinterpreted my comments, or perhaps I was unclear. I was stating an opnion of the large-roach concept for the Mac, not a statement about the quality of your products. I in no way meant to imply that the musclehead or any of your other sails were not good quality. What I was trying to say is that I would opt to invest the dollars into sail quality vs. a large roachy sail. I suppose one can have both. In general terms, the larger the sail, the more cloth, the higher the cost. I was simply saying that I would put the dollars towards cloth/cut/fabrication vs. roach and the necessary battens, etc. In the case of your products, the prices are excellent for the quality you get, so it's probably irrelevent. BTW, I am very happy with the Pentex genoa I got from you and can vouch for its quality. Although I'm unhappy with Quantum's customer service, the sails they made for me are fantastic. Considering the cost however, I probably could have bought a set of KH sails for half the price and been just as happy. To be honest, they wouldn't be the same level of quality but it is also likely that I wouldn't notice the difference on a Mac. The lifespan (at least I hope) will likely be higher on the Quantums due to the Tafeta exteriors vs. the bare mylar/pentex. I suppose I can't speak from personal experience since I don't have a musclehead on my boat. Just seems that even in light air, the 150 genny and standard size main is plenty.... but in anything under 10 knots, one may want all the help they can get. Fortunately, I don't find myself in these conditions often, and when it's only 5kts wind or less, I opt to use the heavy iron sail.

fair winds,
L.

[delevi]

Mike,

Here you go:

Sailing with full Quantum manin & KH genny http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... nt=066.flv
Sailing with first on the Q-main and full Q-jib http://s274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... I_4215.flv

Quantum Main & jib, hoisted on the trailer:

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj25 ... hoist2.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/delevi/062.jpg

http://i274.photobucket.com/albums/jj251/delevi/063.jpg

[Terry]

I hope no one takes offense but the rig on a Mac is basically a piece of extruded aluminum with a few blocks placed on it to run lines up and down. Not much more than a glorified flagpole. In order to keep costs down, it is devoid of anything you would normally find on a boat of this size.
Could you please explain & qualify this.
Regards,

Art

So what would one normally find on a boat this size that is not on a Mac? I realize some boats have the mast go through the deck and right down into the hull and keel, but the mac has a daggerboard trunk that emulates this. Aside from a backstay, what else is missing, an extra set of shrouds? I have seen boats with one more set of shrouds than a Mac, but not many. Is there something Mac owners can do to rectify the difference and make our macs rigging equivelent to the other boats this size? Do we have to do what Highlander did to bring our rigging up to par? So what is it we need to do to make the Mac just as good?

[bubba]

I think that the extra sq footage at the top of the main sail is not worth the extra healing it would cause a stock MacM. It would mean reefing sooner than I do now. Possiably if I added several hundred pounds of lead bulb to the dagger board to help the healing the extra top sq footage causes. We reef in light enough breezes now and if I need extra light air sail we add our A-spinnaker.

Has anyone ever tryed a longer boom with a sail that is bigger at the bottom ? That seems like a better idea for the Mac's ?

[Highlander]

If you have a furler , and a Storm Jib try making up a temp inner forestay , make a bridle up between your back bow pulpit bases use your jib halyard you now have a cutter rig with a little extra sail close to the deck ! , If it ever stops raining here !
Maybe I'll get my boat finished & in the water

J

[AWKIII]

I think that the extra sq footage at the top of the main sail is not worth the extra healing it would cause a stock MacM. It would mean reefing sooner than I do now. Possiably if I added several hundred pounds of lead bulb to the dagger board to help the healing the extra top sq footage causes. We reef in light enough breezes now and if I need extra light air sail we add our A-spinnaker.

Has anyone ever tryed a longer boom with a sail that is bigger at the bottom ? That seems like a better idea for the Mac's ?

Extra sail area is extra sail area. On a small sail like this it really doesn't matter where you put it. The result will be the same.

It all boils down to "different strokes for different folks". We are pretty pleased with how many we have sold and the positive reports we have received.

If I was sailing out of San Francisco or Buzzards Bay, it probably would make sense to go withour C2000.

But if you are in areas with winds averaging in the low teens (knots), then this sail will shine. I can't imagine sailing Southern California or some of the many lakes around the country without one.

As mentioned previously, the sail was designed based on the requests we read on this board. When the rubber hits the road, at least you will find us responsive to the needs of the MacGregor sailor. I know of no other loft that will.

And more importantly, take the specs of the Musclehead to your favorite local loft and have them quote the sail. Then hold on to your wallet as I am sure the price will come in at least twice what we charge.

Fair winds,

Art

[Terry]

I think that the extra sq footage at the top of the main sail is not worth the extra healing it would cause a stock MacM. It would mean reefing sooner than I do now. Possiably if I added several hundred pounds of lead bulb to the dagger board to help the healing the extra top sq footage causes. We reef in light enough breezes now and if I need extra light air sail we add our A-spinnaker.

Has anyone ever tryed a longer boom with a sail that is bigger at the bottom ? That seems like a better idea for the Mac's ?

I have to reinforce Arts comment on lighter wind areas. Here in the PNW we get some strong winds and weak winds but they average in the low to mid teens and sometimes less. Having tested my Musclehead more than several times now the performance gains in lighter air is quite noticeable. I also noticed that in stronger winds the heel does not seem any moreso than it was last year. Overall the extra couple hundred bucks over the OEM for a better and bigger sail is more than justified. I had every intention of getting a new main with larger roach from Northsails when the time came, fortunately Kelly-Hansen came out with a more affordable one before I took the plunge. I am a happy camper!

[Rick Westlake]

Okay - we've got a big roachy sail for the 26M.

Now what can be done for the 26X?

How about a gaff main and running backstays?

Just teasing, Art.

If it ever stops raining here ! Maybe I'll get my boat finished & in the water

J

Oh-oh ... maybe I shouldn't have given someone ideas ....

[Terry]

Okay - we've got a big roachy sail for the 26M.

Now what can be done for the 26X?

If it ever stops raining here ! Maybe I'll get my boat finished & in the water

J

Oh-oh ... maybe I shouldn't have given someone ideas ....

Well I can give someone ideas!
What can be done for the X....?
Well, if you happen to need a new mast, the factory now makes a generic type mast that is supposedly a replacement for any and all of their line of boats. It is 30' tall so you will have to cut it to 28' for the X or just leave it at 30' and get the Musclehead for it or just the 26M oem sail at 170 sq.ft. The point is that now any X owner can get a taller rig if they so desire and increase the mainsail area.

[bscott]

I have the mast and C2000 main. The muscle head will definately over power the If you go that route you will need to have 3 reef points or have a 4 person crew on the windward rail. You are better off with the cruising chute and the stock 28' mast and a "flater cut" main.

Bob