Thats easy, I would chose the Mac.X I have now as I already tried out all the others I wanted to.
If You were to say what boat you would like regardless of cost, that would open a whole new adventure.
Dave
GaryMayo wrote:Lets say Roger Macgregor had flunked out of college and not taken the business course that led to our sailboats, what sailboat have you always had in the corner of your eye?
What might you be sailing now had you chosen another boat builder?
gyroplanes wrote:I really like my , but I have a bad case of bigger boat itis. There are 2 Catalina 30's on my dock. The more I look at them, the more I like them. It is a keel boat and beamy at 10'-11".
Any opinions on the Catalina 30 ?
Yes--slips are expensive Humor aside I've rented Catalina 28 during the interstitial years between owning boats (that's what the clubs here sail) and I quite liked them. Very competent, easy sailors. Bob a bit like a bathtub toy compared to both my former Sabre and even the Mac, but they're plenty roomy inside. The aft-berth is a bit larger, and the cabin is quite similar to the Mac. The mac is a bit more efficient in terms of use of interior space, the larger cockpit is nice. The captain's wheel is a bit bigger, and I believe they come stock with stern rail seats.
Honestly however, going from the Mac 26 to the Catalina 30 isn't going to be a big enough "leap" in terms of space or performance to warrant the purchase IMHO--the 28' is so similar to the Mac in terms of interior space that it's not really an upgrade at all. If you're going to pay for a slip, make it worth it and put a 355 or a 375 in it
Smallest Transatlatic sailboat 27 feet!!! Try 15 feet (or even shorter I think)or better still Monsieur Bombard did it in an inflatable liferaft beating off sword fish and biting sharks with a paddle and living off caught fish and rainwater
Seaward 32 RK.. BUT.. I don't dare spend the money on it and my tow vehicle wouldn't tow it..
Been out on them.. WONDERFUL DAY!! Another was 4 slips down from me in North Point Marina.. Beautiful inside and out.. Talked with the owner numerous times.. He has a 1 Ton Dually Diesel.. Says he needs some pretty deep... water to launch it.. Not in my cards.. Sooooo I am happy with what I have.. Said he is VERY Cautious when beaching..it is an inboard..
dlymn wrote:Smallest Transatlatic sailboat 27 feet!!! Try 15 feet (or even shorter I think)or better still Monsieur Bombard did it in an inflatable liferaft beating off sword fish and biting sharks with a paddle and living off caught fish and rainwater
Sorry--I meant specifically marketed as being transoceanic capable. People have done some very crazy things.
I bought the 26M to learn how to sail and it was a great teacher. We were inspired and so we went out and bought this; It's a 1988 Jeanneau Espace 1100. Old, safe and big. It's in the Med and we sail 3 months each year there. Of course this buy was dependant on my selling the under the orders of the Treasurer. Unfortunately the GFC has slowed sales and now I am forced to spend the rest of the year back at home keeping the in good order, ensuring that it actually sails well and fine tuning my sailing skills - at least once a week.
mastreb wrote:.....Honestly however, going from the Mac 26 to the Catalina 30 isn't going to be a big enough "leap" in terms of space or performance to warrant the purchase IMHO...
I've been in a Catalina 27 and I'd have to agree that it isn't a huge jump from the Mac interior wise, but at least one has gone around the world. I think there is a big difference in the 30 vs. the Mac. Here are three pictures of the interior of the 30...
I really like the interior layout of the 30. It really uses the space well. The inboard is under the end of the kitchen counter and the end of the settee seat, so pretty easy to get to for service. There is also a real head on the boat. For 2 people that are cruising for a month or less at a time I think the 30 is hard to beat and Ruth and I could live on one for a lot longer than a month. I feel that it would probably make a great boat for the Great Lakes and almost any coastal waters.
Come on guys .. we are not trying to compare a 26 ' you can tow and many here do... with a mini van versus one... that a 1 ton may have issues with.. and maybe not be able to realistically tow it at... All.. Very Far..Very Often... I towed a Cat 27 a couple miles with a 3/4 Ton Suburban 4x4.. Not The same deal.. Not a trailer sailor not a easy quick job removing the mast.. Needed lots of water to launch it..without the Porta Lift / Crane..
After going to the Annapolis boat show last weekend there are a lot of boats that I would have no problem owning starting from the low 600's.
For a while I considered as well the Cat 27 wing keel before the Mac, I would have given up the trailable aspect, but it was a manageable size for learning. The trailable boats that are 22 foot long (Catalina, capri, Rhodes, Santana) would have been too small with our family of four. The Hunter 260 and Catalina 250 would be a good alternative, but I never liked the sleeping arrangements in the bow.
I guess we should rule out the Odin since it might not exist if there were no Macs around
Gemini 105MC is high on the list but would move me out of the marina that's 7 minutes from my house - very nice. A Catalina 30 can eat my lunch racing and I have considered getting one for an intermediate boat. I could actually sell mine, buy one and put money in my pocket. I am back and forth on whether to stay in my house or move aboard. If I move aboard then the Gemini is back on the menu and possibly a Catalina 42 or Hunter 42.
Full headroom throughout, not just in the companionway. Full head with shower. Ability to put in a real mattress not cushions. Sailing speed. Large cockpit. Standing headroom in the cockpit. Easier to sail than the Mac. Galley. Large Refrigerator/Freezer. Storage. Hanging closets. Owners cabin with door.
jschrade wrote:Full headroom throughout, not just in the companionway. Full head with shower. Ability to put in a real mattress not cushions. Sailing speed. Large cockpit. Standing headroom in the cockpit. Easier to sail than the Mac. Galley. Large Refrigerator/Freezer. Storage. Hanging closets. Owners cabin with door.
Better calm down!
Yeah, I think you'd better. I gave all that up for the advantages of a trailerable boat.
, but I have a bad case of bigger boat itis. There are 2 Catalina 30's on my dock. The more I look at them, the more I like them. It is a keel boat and beamy at 10'-11".
Humor aside I've rented Catalina 28 during the interstitial years between owning boats (that's what the clubs here sail) and I quite liked them. Very competent, easy sailors. Bob a bit like a bathtub toy compared to both my former Sabre and even the Mac, but they're plenty roomy inside. The aft-berth is a bit larger, and the cabin is quite similar to the Mac. The mac is a bit more efficient in terms of use of interior space, the larger cockpit is nice. The captain's wheel is a bit bigger, and I believe they come stock with stern rail seats.
under the orders of the Treasurer. Unfortunately the GFC has slowed sales and now I am forced to spend the rest of the year back at home keeping the 
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