Coastal Sailing Capabilities

[kernow cruiser]

I own a Mac 26X and sail her inland on a large lake in South Africa. I have experienced 25 - 30 knot winds and rather choppy waves on her she handled no problem. In fact I found her to be quite well behaved. I was wondering if it is at all feasible to sail on a coastal journey of 85 miles on the South African East Coast - Indian Ocean where there would be no harbours between the start and finish and there is a prevailing current (Aghulas current) running between 4 and 6 knots out at the 200 m contour line. This would be between 5 and 12 miles off-shore depending on where abouts on the strecth of coast. In certain weather patterns (known) big rollers from the south come in and meet this current and cause massive waves of 20 meters or so, but this is highly dependent on certain weather conditions. I have completed inland skipper course and would also do day skipper and coastal skipper qualifications before attempting such a voyage as well as building up miles. Has anyone done such a coastal ocean trip on a Mac ? Is it realistic or should I stick to my inland patch of water on this type of boat ? The trip would be form Richards Bay to Durban.

[JohnCFI]

I use my in and around the Falklands, I don't go that far offshore (and probably would not) we do get some rough seas, but not like you describe. My gut feeling is that those conditions would be beyond a Mac, but its amazing what people have achieved with less, I once met a guy circumnavigating with not much more than a decked in sailing dinghy, but if you were to try it in your Mac, be sure you have a full suite of rescue kit; EPIRB, Liferaft, Portable VHF, Flares and so on...

[yukonbob]

You can do it in a dugout canoe if you want. 20 ft swells can be fine if they're not breaking. We regularly go offshore up to five miles to go fishing. We regularly see 19 ft aluminums trolling around in ten ft swell without a second thought. Watch the weather and know where you're closest protected waters are. These boats can handle more than most skippers can.

[Ixneigh]

Thats the same current that causes huge "holes" in the water that swallow cargo ships without a trace??
But seriously. If its a flat calm day, you could motor the yacht 85 miles in a day. If you have to sail it could take a lot longer. Only you can know the weather in your location, and appropriate backup routes in case of mishap.
I feel that these boats lack the structural substance to be safe in deep, open ocean though. Just bouncing around in the gulfstream for an afternoon there is movement and flexing of the hull sides. You probably noticed this during your lake sailing. These boats were made for protected, nearshore waters, lakes, bays, and other shallow areas. They are kept as light as possible to make trailering easy and to be economical. They lack a ballast keel, so they can be easily beached or parked in the shallows.
Unless you send a lot of money, you do not get an offshore capable, light, shoal draft vessel and certainly not one with as much room as a Macgregor Powersailor.
Ix

[CFCassidy]

Macs regularly go off-shore 20nm to Catalina Island in California and 15nm out to Block Island in Rhode Island. I've done Block Island single handed many times without issue, once coming back in some pretty snotty weather. I did Catalina for the first time single handed a couple of weeks ago. The boat can handle it.

Of course these were 3-5 hour trips, not 20 hours. Be prepared, know the weather and plan it for when there is a reasonable weather window, and you will do fine.

Charlie

[cptron]

My wife and I spent last thanksgiving sailing from Southport NC. to Charleston SC. 10-15 NM offshore for our first overnight sailing adventure. We left with calm seas and 10 not breeze and beautiful. It took us approx. 14 hours to accomplish and by the time morning came the seas were angry with 8-10 foot waves with close intervals and breaking over the aft twice enough to get my feet wet. Never once did I feel like we were in danger of not making it. We are planning on going to the Bahams and Berry Islands in May of 2014 which is 50 miles across the atlantic and crossing the gulf streem to Bimini and then another 75 miles to the Berry Islands. The one thing I can advixe on is to not be afraid to admit when your limitations have been reached in order to get you and your cre2w to safety if need be.

[mastreb]

Can the hull do it? Sure. Can you do it? That depends on you.

A trip like this is about making good decisions depending on the weather and circumstances, and not letting a bullheaded determination to do it any particular way trump doing it the safest way.

In the circumstance you describe, the motor is a critical safety device. Using it, I've been able to keep myself snug in the trough between waves at whatever speed is required to stay there while staying on course. This is generally not possible in a traditional sailboat.

Being only 5..10nm offshore means that you can get to the shallows quickly. I'm presuming that these massive waves do not break on-shore? If there are any sand bars or beaches, you can beach if necessary presuming the tides and waves allow it to be done safely. You mention that there are no ports, but are there any safe harbors or shallows you can anchor in?

Finally, keep in mind that a Mac can do an 85nm trip easily in six hours if necessary on 24 gallons of gas, and in 12 hours on 10 gallons.

Again, use the motor whenever the sailing isn't your friend.

[SKIPPER2C]

I own a Mac 26X and sail her inland on a large lake in South Africa..

Hi kernow cruiser
Where do u keep the
Yes the Mac can do it if u steer the right way over the waves to minimize the role evict. I will rather go deeper. The close u are to land the more chances u have to end up on a sandbank special at the river mouths.
From Richards Bay to Durban will be with the current that makes it easier.

If u want to enjoy the trailer to Mozambique.
From Richards Bay to Durban will be with the current

Renier Fourie
Vaal dam. LDYC.

[kernow cruiser]

Hi All,

Thanks for the good insights and advice. I'm not in a position to do such a trip yet but it could be a longer term goal.. we shall see. Skipper2C, I have seen your boat over at LDYC - Dark Blue one. My 26X is based at DAC. I recently did the Ron Rosavere night race on a Holiday 23 (Greylag - 2 of us on board). We placed 7th out of 22, which is not bad I think. It has many cruisers taking part and next year I am keen to do it on the MacGregor. I'm sure there are a few boats the Mac's could beat. I've had mine up to 9 knots (according to the GPS). Hope to see you out on the water ? The more Mac's the better

[Three Gypsies]

We recently crossed the Gulf of Mexico , in the southern United States . We ended up in a storm , late that night , but our did just fine . The Gulf is mostly shallow , so waves come up quickly .
Our Crossing was about 90 miles long .

[Herschel]

My advice is not to plan such a trip in the open ocean. To paraphrase--"there are BOLD Mac sailors, and there are OLD Mac Sailors, but OLD, BOLD Mac sailors?" Which means, yes, sometimes we can get away with risky endeavors, but I think it is important to heed the designed purpose of the boats. We all know this is basically a sheltered sailing, trailerable boat, not blue water stuff. We all have lives to lead, loved ones whose well being depend on us and who are trusting us to make good decisions, sometimes with them aboard! Taking risks by putting our boats through voyages that appeal to the adventurer in us is understandable, especially in our youth. From the vantage point of 69 years, 54 of that sailing, 3 of that on the U.S. Naval Academy Ocean sailing team, and 3 in US warships, I just wouldn't do it. Recently, my wife and I were taken aback about how quickly these boats can become "problematic" just crossing the mouth to Tampa Bay in a 20-25 knot breeze with 6-8 ft seas rolling over shallow water, under power no less. We turned back while several 30 foot keel boats plowed right through without incident. It makes a difference what type boat you have. My best suggestion for blue water sailing is to go the used keel boat route unless you are choosing a relatively common, unambitious, coastal trip carefully and can wait out prolonged bad weather, AND, have an escape plan if things aren't what you think they are going to be.

[Catigale]

Herschel has ID'd the Achilles heel of these boats in rough weather - the low weight means they dont have momentum to push through rough seas even if you have steerage.

I got stopped cold on Ontario by a bad combination of waves and short chop, then, with my sails in perfect trim, proceeded to make backwards way at 1.5 knots with no recourse.

Fired up the 50, dropped the sails, dumped breakfast overboard, and went back to my slip.

[yukonbob]

"A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing. "
-G.B.S.

"Every man dies. Not every man really lives."
-W.W.

[dlandersson]

Nicely put.

My advice is not to plan such a trip in the open ocean. To paraphrase--"there are BOLD Mac sailors, and there are OLD Mac Sailors, but OLD, BOLD Mac sailors?" Which means, yes, sometimes we can get away with risky endeavors, but I think it is important to heed the designed purpose of the boats. We all know this is basically a sheltered sailing, trailerable boat, not blue water stuff. We all have lives to lead, loved ones whose well being depend on us and who are trusting us to make good decisions, sometimes with them aboard! Taking risks by putting our boats through voyages that appeal to the adventurer in us is understandable, especially in our youth. From the vantage point of 69 years, 54 of that sailing, 3 of that on the U.S. Naval Academy Ocean sailing team, and 3 in US warships, I just wouldn't do it. Recently, my wife and I were taken aback about how quickly these boats can become "problematic" just crossing the mouth to Tampa Bay in a 20-25 knot breeze with 6-8 ft seas rolling over shallow water, under power no less. We turned back while several 30 foot keel boats plowed right through without incident. It makes a difference what type boat you have. My best suggestion for blue water sailing is to go the used keel boat route unless you are choosing a relatively common, unambitious, coastal trip carefully and can wait out prolonged bad weather, AND, have an escape plan if things aren't what you think they are going to be.

[SKIPPER2C]

Borrowed from this site.
http://www.excellentboats.co.za/

The more Mac's the better

James
I have send u a PM.
These guys are trying to get all Mac owners in SA together.
http://www.excellentboats.co.za/
Renier