Tattoo Yachts
Re: Tattoo Yachts
Any chance of designing a 30 foot version for extended cruising/ or nomadic livea-boad purposes? I used to live aboard my 26x many years ago and would love have a 30 foot version. I was thinking something along the lines of crossing a Mac26M with a Hobie 33. If you built one it would save me the trouble of designing and building one myself. 
- mastreb
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Cardiff by the Sea, CA ETEC-60 "Luna Sea"
- Contact:
Re: Tattoo Yachts
I would buy a 33' Mac in a heartbeat, presuming it could still be trailered. My design constraints would be "maximum boat that can be trailered legally and shipped in a container". With the lightweight construction techniques pioneered by Roger MacGregor, while you wouldn't be able to use a car to tow it you could certainly keep it to the #7500 limitation of reasonable tow beasts. I'd do a gaff rig so you could use a lower and more forward mast that would not need to be stepped when it was lowered. Eliminate the moving of the mast and you'd make a larger boat even more convenient than the 26'.
Re: Tattoo Yachts
See, I said you were engaged!
There is still a traveller pad if someone wants to add on. We felt the minimal throw wasn't enough to make it worth the weight. We have added "parking pad eyes" next to each stanchion so the sheet is completely out of the way when not under sail.
I am not a fan of double mainsheets as ending up with the sail on the wrong side of the boat is possible. It's just as easy to connect a vang and sheet when rigging as it is two mainsheets. As a general rule I never prevent a boom except with a very stretchy line led forward. It makes it too easy to break a boom if it is prevented far out and the boat heels too much. On big sleds the boom ends up in the water a lot!
We are really pleased with the stripes. Albino would be a step too far, I'm afraid! I saw a copy of a 26x in Chile with no stripes at all and it was not good!
The galley won't work above the cushions on the 26 but on future models we'll certainly consider it.
We have no plans to offer a beefed up laminate. This laminate is probably more tested than on any boat around, and has never displayed any structural problems. Heavier isn't always better and flex isn't always bad. Look at an airplane wing at take off. The flex is incredible!
We offer quite a few more options than my parents did, but I still believe that it is best to offer what everyone needs as standard, some items as options, and let the owners customize beyond that.
I don't see us getting out of the easily trailerable (and shippable) end of the market. It would be very hard to make a good looking boat much longer than the 26 without increasing the beam, which is the max for containerized freight. I always thought the Hobie 33 was a great looking boat, but live aboard? Not so much
All the best!
Laura MacGregor Sharp
There is still a traveller pad if someone wants to add on. We felt the minimal throw wasn't enough to make it worth the weight. We have added "parking pad eyes" next to each stanchion so the sheet is completely out of the way when not under sail.
I am not a fan of double mainsheets as ending up with the sail on the wrong side of the boat is possible. It's just as easy to connect a vang and sheet when rigging as it is two mainsheets. As a general rule I never prevent a boom except with a very stretchy line led forward. It makes it too easy to break a boom if it is prevented far out and the boat heels too much. On big sleds the boom ends up in the water a lot!
We are really pleased with the stripes. Albino would be a step too far, I'm afraid! I saw a copy of a 26x in Chile with no stripes at all and it was not good!
The galley won't work above the cushions on the 26 but on future models we'll certainly consider it.
We have no plans to offer a beefed up laminate. This laminate is probably more tested than on any boat around, and has never displayed any structural problems. Heavier isn't always better and flex isn't always bad. Look at an airplane wing at take off. The flex is incredible!
We offer quite a few more options than my parents did, but I still believe that it is best to offer what everyone needs as standard, some items as options, and let the owners customize beyond that.
I don't see us getting out of the easily trailerable (and shippable) end of the market. It would be very hard to make a good looking boat much longer than the 26 without increasing the beam, which is the max for containerized freight. I always thought the Hobie 33 was a great looking boat, but live aboard? Not so much
All the best!
Laura MacGregor Sharp
- kmclemore
- Site Admin
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Re: Tattoo Yachts
It's really wonderful to have Laura (MacGregor) Sharp of Tattoo Yachts participating here on our forum.
That being said, I must warn you that Laura has some rather big fish to fry, with all she's got going, so I would not expect to see her on here every day. Though certainly she has shown that she is indeed very much interested in your feedback and suggestions.
I think we should consider her ability to drop in here as an occasional treat!

That being said, I must warn you that Laura has some rather big fish to fry, with all she's got going, so I would not expect to see her on here every day. Though certainly she has shown that she is indeed very much interested in your feedback and suggestions.
I think we should consider her ability to drop in here as an occasional treat!
- mastreb
- Admiral
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Re: Tattoo Yachts
Yes, definitely thanks for being present here Laura! And of course it's wise not to let us amateurs tell you how to run the business you've been in your entire life ... 
- dlandersson
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
Re: Tattoo Yachts
Think 32 feet long, 8.5 feet wide. The Seaward 32RK does this. I am sure Tatoo can to - and I would buy one.
SKJOLD wrote:Any chance of designing a 30 foot version for extended cruising/ or nomadic livea-boad purposes? I used to live aboard my 26x many years ago and would love have a 30 foot version. I was thinking something along the lines of crossing a Mac26M with a Hobie 33. If you built one it would save me the trouble of designing and building one myself.
- yukonbob
- Admiral
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Re: Tattoo Yachts
Nice boat dammit. Now I want one. But it does list at 10.5 on the beam? Different model maybe? price tags a little steep as well.
- 1st Sail
- Captain
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Re: Tattoo Yachts
We have seriously considering the 32rk for our loop boat of choice. Current used 125-150+ 5-2yrs old respectively. New $180k +. Beam is 10'6".
More cabin fever food. http://seawardyachts.com/32rk.shtml
Enjoy.
More cabin fever food. http://seawardyachts.com/32rk.shtml
Enjoy.
- dlandersson
- Admiral
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Re: Tattoo Yachts
I stand corrected. But it's technically trailerable.
yukonbob wrote:Nice boat dammit. Now I want one. But it does list at 10.5 on the beam? Different model maybe? price tags a little steep as well.
- Ixneigh
- Admiral
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- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: Tattoo Yachts
Forget the 33, just get the 45. Toss the trailer and sell the house
10 foot of beam isn't " easily trailer able"
It's too heavy to be cavalier about water depth. Aground in two feet of water is still aground.
With no kick up anything, I bet people hardly ever sail them in shallow water without being glued to the sounder or watching the water color
Hitting that weighted keel on a chunk of coral at hull speed is going to cost you more then 350 bucks for a new Mac board.
It's a lovely boat, don't get me wrong, but the draft difference in that size of boat between my old 33 ft yawl is negligible when you consider the trade offs.
The Mac m already suffers in light air tight quarters work since she won't steer unless your moving at a certain speed.
Even in windy conditions, I barely made it through passes that were a delight on my old 23 keelboat. Half the width of the channel was needed just to get up enough speed to steer. The Seaward seems like it has even less daggerboard and rudder area. There is a lot more to sailing then just going fast. Going slow in complete control is also desirable.
Ix
10 foot of beam isn't " easily trailer able"
It's too heavy to be cavalier about water depth. Aground in two feet of water is still aground.
With no kick up anything, I bet people hardly ever sail them in shallow water without being glued to the sounder or watching the water color
Hitting that weighted keel on a chunk of coral at hull speed is going to cost you more then 350 bucks for a new Mac board.
It's a lovely boat, don't get me wrong, but the draft difference in that size of boat between my old 33 ft yawl is negligible when you consider the trade offs.
The Mac m already suffers in light air tight quarters work since she won't steer unless your moving at a certain speed.
Even in windy conditions, I barely made it through passes that were a delight on my old 23 keelboat. Half the width of the channel was needed just to get up enough speed to steer. The Seaward seems like it has even less daggerboard and rudder area. There is a lot more to sailing then just going fast. Going slow in complete control is also desirable.
Ix
-
John McDonough
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Re: Tattoo Yachts
Question for laura?? Its not important for you to reply.
How about a 25`or 26` Water ballast Sailboat. A real Sailboat.
A real Sailboat, that doesn't need a big motor, or a big car or truck to trailer around.
About 2 years ago, Roger requested a classic 26D, Did anything important come out of that,?
How about a 25`or 26` Water ballast Sailboat. A real Sailboat.
A real Sailboat, that doesn't need a big motor, or a big car or truck to trailer around.
About 2 years ago, Roger requested a classic 26D, Did anything important come out of that,?
Re: Tattoo Yachts
This is what I would be interested in too.John McDonough wrote:Question for laura?? Its not important for you to reply.
How about a 25`or 26` Water ballast Sailboat. A real Sailboat.
A real Sailboat, that doesn't need a big motor, or a big car or truck to trailer around.
About 2 years ago, Roger requested a classic 26D, Did anything important come out of that,?
- DaveB
- Admiral
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Re: Tattoo Yachts
Laura,
Good to hear from you. I expect you are still marketing for World market and will not fix the problem with a 8.5 ft. beam to trailer in US.
Maybe someday you will market the US. and get that wider beam.
Good luck with your Florida product.
Dave
Good to hear from you. I expect you are still marketing for World market and will not fix the problem with a 8.5 ft. beam to trailer in US.
Maybe someday you will market the US. and get that wider beam.
Good luck with your Florida product.
Dave
- EZ
- Engineer
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- Location: 2004 26M "Stray Monkey", with Etec 50, SF Bay, CA
Re: Tattoo Yachts
Laura,
Thanks for replying to our comments. I am not aware of any other forum where owners can interact with a manufacturer.
Given how busy you must be, I think it means lot to everyone on this form that you try to participate in it.
It's good to hear you have a backlog. I hope your business grows.
-Vince
Thanks for replying to our comments. I am not aware of any other forum where owners can interact with a manufacturer.
Given how busy you must be, I think it means lot to everyone on this form that you try to participate in it.
It's good to hear you have a backlog. I hope your business grows.
-Vince
- dlandersson
- Admiral
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- Location: Michigan City
Re: Tattoo Yachts
Te had an effect - Mac 26X/M's sellers are asking for more on ebay.
he Tatoo 26 appears to hav
he Tatoo 26 appears to hav
Heath wrote:Hi everybody!
It's time to start some discussion of the new Tattoo Yachts which are now in production. As interest in these new sailboats grows, I'll expand the forums as it seems logical to do.
Happy New Year!
Heath
