26X crossing the Pacific Portland to Brisbane

[sunshinecoasting]

I knew that would get your attention.....But it is true......sort of, I just purchased my first yacht, a 2000 26X from Portland and yes, it is currently sailing to Brisbane inside a car freighter. It is due to arrive early March and should be registered and on the water by mid March. I am so excited, we live on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland Australia and have immediate access to the Great Barrier Reef and intend to use it, well after a few months of sailing practice closer to home. The boat is ready to sail, furling Genoa, 50HP Nissan, Biminy, marine head and a few other extra's, just need to buy the right Australian approved safety gear, I sure do hope I have made the right decision for a beginners boat, too late now anyway.

Cheers, Dennis.

[kmclemore]

Good luck! Yes, you'll want to hook up with some local owners (see our forum section dedicated to Australian owners) to ensure you get the right equipment and make the right choices.

Australian Forum:
http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... m.php?f=19

[dive4it]

Congrats!! Welcome to the Mac club. I saw that boat being advertised for awhile here in the Portland area, looks like you picked a good boat, especially for a beginning sailor. Keep us updated when it arrives, this forum is full of really wonderful ideas and advise.

JT

[NiceAft]

It's a wonderful boat for a beginner. You will have it for years; enjoying every moment. Well, most of them

Ray

[bartmac]

And now for the rude shock.....what does it weigh and is the trailer duel axle?????...........if over 2000kgs???????....its going to cost lots unfortunately

[Boblee]

Not always Bartmac it depends on what it is going to be used for there are plenty of macs under the weight limit or are not using the trailer fo much more than short stretches.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Yeah ya got me. I thought I was coming to read about some complete nutjob on a suicide mission

Welcome aboard Dennis, I think there are a few Macs on the Sunshine Coast. I bought mine from there, off some stockbroker fella that was moving to the US. (Dont think he sailed it much as the rig was set up very poorly...)

[kmclemore]

If nobody objects, I'm gonna move this thread to the Australia group.

[sunshinecoasting]

Thanks for the welcomes.

I'm all over the trailer thing Bartmac, I have imported US cars before so am aware of the ADR's, in fact this boat+trailer has a GVM of 1587Kgs so meets QLD requirements which by the way are somewhat relaxed compared to NSW, trailer has already had lights changed by dealer in US and other small changes I will do when it arrives. I have a brother in law that builds trailers for a living so any mods can easily be handled by him if required. I agree though, importing the boat is easy, importing the trailer is a nightmare.

Hey dive4it, where were you when I needed someone to look the boat over???? Maybe I should have joined the forum earlier? So I guess I am qualified now to use the smiley?

Now I have to wait, which is proving to be the hardest part of the whole buying a yacht experience.

[sunshinecoasting]

No objections kmclemore, I would have started the thread there had I known it existed at the time.

Cheers, Dennis.

[sunshinecoasting]

Hey kmclemore, I tried to go to the Australian forum and it says I am not authorised to view it? Am I doing something wrong? Can you help me with this?

Thanks, Dennis.

[bartmac]

I still don't get it.....our mac with only a 15hp Suzuki,40l & 15 litres of fuel,150 litre water bladder half full,2 start batteries and two larger gel batteries,2 reasonable anchors & chain, went 2170kgs.No other single heavy items but would then load inflatable & 3.3 hp outboard,drinking water 40litres,food & drink,clothing etc etc.....just can't see it coming under 2000kgs with larger motor,probably more fuel?.....and yes I did empty the ballast

[sunshinecoasting]

Hi Bartmac,

I didnt say mine was under 2000Kgs, I said the trailer has a GVM of 1587Kgs, that is the manufacturers number on the compliance plate and the only number that matters to QLD transport, it probably is accurate(ish) for a bare boat and motor with no wet stuff on board which is how it will be presented to QT at rego time, they told me they dont weigh trailers under 4500kgs anyway which this definately is so it should be all good. I will only be towing it from home to water which is under 20klms at best so I am not concerned about weight too much, having said that I do need to keep it under 1800kgs because my car's tow capacity is rated at that and going over that will void my insurance in the event I have an accident while towing.

Hope that clears it up for you a bit, I am amazed though that yours comes in at 2170Kg, just removing the fuel, water and batteries will get you to 2000kg though, 50+75+4 X 10kg = 165kg (close enough)

Cheers, Dennis.

[kurz]

Well, my 26m including trailer was NEVER under 2000kg. So please forget the 1800kg story...

But stay cool and start to calculate:

In your country: The tongue waight maybe not bo counted as towing waight. Ask the local police how they measure in allday work.

Then ask how much will be the tolerance. So it can be normal 5% to 10%.

And if you not tow often, you can take out many things from the boat. Makes no fun but works. Good luck!

[Catigale]

Dennis you will have to go into your user panel and join the Forum in order to access it..

We don't just let anyone in these Forums, you know......

Welcome (G'day) and yes, you made the perfect choice. You will find some people "trash" the Mac but you won't find they own one....