New ...

[eliems]

Greetings from Vancouver BC! I am New to the MacGregor and New to this Forum but this coming week I pick up what looks to be a beautiful 2006 26M and the fun begins.

My wife and I have dreams of doing the live-aboard Catamaran and exploring the Caribbean but neither of us have any (I mean any) experience with sailing. So in our research we found this amazing hybrid called the Mac 26M with which we can explore the coastal waters, fresh water lakes, motor home on the way while learning navigation, boat maintenance and sailing ... unbelievable learning curve!

At our Power Squadron class last night we announced our intentions to buy a MacGregor and now we know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of descrimination and racial segregation. (Well maybe not that bad), they really tried to help us understand that this is not a real sailboat. Never the less, by the time I had regailed them with all the advantages of the 26M most were wanting to come aboard to experience it for themselves.

This reminds me of what it was like to buy a Harley Davidson clone (Yamaha Road Star) and getting twice the bike for half the price, being never the less the target of much scorn.

In the end it seemed to come down to a 2% advantage in speed while tacking against the wind which to me is like preferring a certail tortois over another as it wins all the tortois races.

Got to love it!

Anyway, I look forward to doing this journey from ignorance to expertise with you macgregorsalors.com people! I just hope you are patient with me and my newbe questions!

[Catigale]

In the end it seemed to come down to a 2% advantage in speed while tacking against the wind which to me is like preferring a certail tortois over another as it wins all the tortois races.

I think you have captured the essence of this debate perfectly with this statement !! the sailing community has a lot of blowhards who will be happy to tell you what boat is right for you, along with a detailed engineering analysis of your poor decision. Dogma, puffery and "anything not a J isnt a boat" rule the day

The right boat for YOU is just that....and when you start out in this passion the is perfect, especially for your PNW venue.

(except the Navier Stokes equation shows the white is faster)

[Russ]

Well, I'm glad to hear you are in a boating class. I've never experienced this discrimination. In fact, I've gotten lots of positive feedback. I keep hearing about bias and I'm prepared to received it but never do.

I taught the Power Squadron boating course for several years and met all kinds of boaters. Never did I find snobby ones who looked down on someone's decision or boating style. I saw all kinds including a middle aged single woman who bought a 37' SeaRay who knew NOTHING about boating and was a bit on the "blonde" side. I think she was surprised there was no brake pedal. Also, we had a couple MacGregor owners in our Squadron who loved the boat.

I think you will find it doesn't sail very well and is a tender boat for 26', but it's also a great boat for learning on. That big motor will get you out of tight spots.

Welcome and now the fun begins.

--Russ

[Hamin' X]

Welcome aboard and to a new adventure. When you load up your motor home pulling your Mac, be sure to honk and wave to the naysayers, as you head out to new sailing grounds. Take lots of pictures to show them when you return.

If you have no sailing experience, I would recommend that you take a basic sailing course that uses small, unballasted sloop rigs. Most, like the Holder-14, have a centerboard, so you can get used to that, also. Books are fine, but I think that the actual experience will serve you better and be money well spent. A Mac handles more like a dinghy, than a keelboat, until she stiffens up.

You should update your profile to indicate your location, so people can answer your questions easier. When you get your boat, you can add your motor, HIN, model year, etc. to the location field. You will see that quite a few of us do this.

~Rich

[moondancer]

Well glad to see another "newbie". Been on site for a little of a year and owned our 05M about the same time. First boat for me and of course never sailed. I am an avid reader of this site and some things have even sunk in. There is a lot to learn so take it slow. I recomend finding someone with boat in your area to show you some of the things you need to know and maybe go out with you once or twice. Lunch on you of course. I had a ASA instructor go out first time with me and he owes me another lesson due to scheduling, weather difficulties. I learned a lot. I haven't run into the prejudice of "real sailboat" owners yet but will see when I go to dock at Newport this summer. Check for Mac owners clubs in your area, mine NE-TS has many fun things planned and a valuable resource when I need to learn something (everyday).
I own a C90T and carry a tow strap in my saddlebags to tow brother's Harley and have given neighbor a "b*^@+h ride" home when he did not want people see his Road King towed behind a rice burner.
So good luck and be safe.
Mike

[Catigale]

when I go to dock at Newport this summer

Uh oh - thats real blue blood sailboat territory.

I once had "Ugly Duck" on a mooring at the Hereshoff Museum in Bristol RI while I raced in a J-35.....

[Deeseas]

Welcome aboard eliems
Check out http://www.mycbc.ca based out of Vancouver.
Doug

[Gypsy]

Greetings from Vancouver BC! I am New to the MacGregor and New to this Forum but this coming week I pick up what looks to be a beautiful 2006 26M and the fun begins.

My wife and I have dreams of doing the live-aboard Catamaran and exploring the Caribbean but neither of us have any (I mean any) experience with sailing. So in our research we found this amazing hybrid called the Mac 26M with which we can explore the coastal waters, fresh water lakes, motor home on the way while learning navigation, boat maintenance and sailing ... unbelievable learning curve!

At our Power Squadron class last night we announced our intentions to buy a MacGregor and now we know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of descrimination and racial segregation. (Well maybe not that bad), they really tried to help us understand that this is not a real sailboat. Never the less, by the time I had regailed them with all the advantages of the 26M most were wanting to come aboard to experience it for themselves.

This reminds me of what it was like to buy a Harley Davidson clone (Yamaha Road Star) and getting twice the bike for half the price, being never the less the target of much scorn.

In the end it seemed to come down to a 2% advantage in speed while tacking against the wind which to me is like preferring a certail tortois over another as it wins all the tortois races.

Got to love it!

Anyway, I look forward to doing this journey from ignorance to expertise with you macgregorsalors.com people! I just hope you are patient with me and my newbe questions!

My wife and I are in the process of preparing our Mac for living aboard .
We plan to travel aboard Her for a few years at least .
The reason we chose a Mac was because she is a hybird. The best of both worlds.
We have always considered ourselves 'a bit unusual' so now we have a boat to match us !
Welcome Aboard !

[Terry]

Welcome aboard eliems
Check out http://www.mycbc.ca based out of Vancouver.
Doug

I'll second this advice, we run a fine club and you can learn a lot more about your boat and the Georgia Strait while enjoying all the club cruises and activities. Hope to see you at the next social meeting listed on our site.

[eliems]

Thank you Terry! I will try to come to the Club Night in Surrey this month. If I can make it I will email your contact for details.

Thanks all of you for the great responses, today I wired the Deposit so this is definitely happening. (Wednesday!) After that I will tell you all which boat I bought ... you will know it well on this forum. (Hint: Practically every available option plus many custom up-grades).

I feel like it is my Birthday! and Christmas! (which happens to be one and the same for me).

Cheers.

[School House Steve]

Bubba just sold his boat to a couple in BC.

You just bought a 26M that was loaded with many extras.

Kinda sounds like Bubba's boat "Inspiration".

Could this be true?

SS

[ROAD Soldier]

At our Power Squadron class last night we announced our intentions to buy a MacGregor and now we know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of descrimination and racial segregation. (Well maybe not that bad), they really tried to help us understand that this is not a real sailboat. Never the less, by the time I had regailed them with all the advantages of the 26M most were wanting to come aboard to experience it for themselves.

This reminds me of what it was like to buy a Harley Davidson clone (Yamaha Road Star) and getting twice the bike for half the price, being never the less the target of much scorn.

They say first impressions are lasting ones. That American Made Motorcycle comment did not sit well with me. So now you can think of this as an opportunity to mature into manhood. Trust me compared to me you have nothing to worry about from that power squadron. We will be in touch and I will be watching you. Oh-ya I almost forgot welcome to the Mac fold.

[Y.B.Normal]

Gypsy:
There are several reasons I named my 26M "Y.B.Normal".
It's not a normal powerboat; it's not a normal sailboat; and both my family and my wife's family aren't "normal" .
As the late UCLA Phych. Prof. Leo Bascallia used to say "If people think you're crazy, it gives you a big latitude of
behavior."

Eliems: WELCOME ABOARD!!! . You'll find most people on this site to be helpful and fun.

[bartmac]

I'm probably going to get in a mess of trouble.......HD or Highly Dangerous as we call them....where did a tractor come into the agrument


DUCATI for ever

[Highlander]

At our Power Squadron class last night we announced our intentions to buy a MacGregor and now we know what it feels like to be on the receiving end of descrimination and racial segregation. (Well maybe not that bad), they really tried to help us understand that this is not a real sailboat. Never the less, by the time I had regailed them with all the advantages of the 26M most were wanting to come aboard to experience it for themselves.

This reminds me of what it was like to buy a Harley Davidson clone (Yamaha Road Star) and getting twice the bike for half the price, being never the less the target of much scorn.

They say first impressions are lasting ones. That American Made Motorcycle comment did not sit well with me. So now you can think of this as an opportunity to mature into manhood. Trust me compared to me you have nothing to worry about from that power squadron. We will be in touch and I will be watching you. Oh-ya I almost forgot welcome to the Mac fold.

R/S
Their ya go again Ya Old Blow Hard yeh are !!!

J