I'm not sure the MacGregor crowd has ever had a regular national gathering, but my sports car clubs (MG, Sunbeam and Triumph) do it every year, and it's a blast. So... I'm game to try to start a recurring annual (or every other year) "Gathering of the MacGregor Faithful" (GOMF).
As many here know, we have property on Lake Champlain, in update NY. Now, I realize that's not exactly 'centrally located', but hey, I'm starting this bugger, so I get to choose the first location (so there! ).
Anyway, what do you all think of having a national gathering? Please answer as below, and add any suggestions.
Should we do it?
Should it be every year, or every two, three or 5 years?
Would you attend if we had it in Lake Champlain in early August, 2022?
Q2) Should it be every year, or every two, three or 5 years?
—=> A2) Whenever we can! Yearly or biannually sound good to us!
Q3) Would you attend if we had it in Lake Champlain in early August, 2022?
—=> A3) Anywhere in the early through late August timeframe works for us as does June or July for that matter!
Q4) Would you bring a boat?
—=> A4) Definitely! (Van and Trailer too! It’s a long sail up otherwise ~1200 miles )
Best Regards,
Over Easy
Last edited by OverEasy on Thu Jan 06, 2022 7:08 pm, edited 1 time in total.
[*]Should it be every year, or every two, three or 5 years?
Depends on success of 1st round!
[*]Would you attend if we had it in Lake Champlain in early August, 2022?
It's a good time for us, Covid permitting.
[*]Would you bring a boat?
Yes.
Our issue with MacGatherings has always been kids. We will have 12, 13 and 15 year old boys with us, so our agenda is always much different than most other's. We look for things and places and events that interest that age group, and that's usually not in line with a the crew of a Mac that doesn't have kids.
At that age they burn through food at an alarming rate, and fill the black water tanks at almost the same speed. Storage space is limited, water and food use is high, so a source of ice, water, pumpout, groceries, etc. is always on our watchlist.
So hanging out at anchor for a few days, chatting about adult stuff, just isn't high on our kids to- do list. Sounds like a dream to me, but something like that isn't in the cards right now.
Let me suggest an possible Lake Champlain plan: how about if everyone reserves dock space at Basin Harbor as the rendez-vous point? The facilities are awesome and certainly kid, admiral, daysail, and activity friendly. Hang out on the boats at night, with stars and drinks and a beach, a pool, and even a golf course if you are so inclined. Walking distance to the Lake Champlain Maritime Museum, and centrally located for day-trips to Ticonderoga, Burlington, Westport, or even Valcour and possibly Plattsburgh. The Basin is super-sheltered in case weather comes up, and no one would feel like they were imposing on a moderator's hospitality with their 12, 13 and 15 year-old kids, for example.
We will be at Lake George from 7/23 - 8/6 maybe 8/7. We can drive up, maybe a few hours north. Unfortunately, no boat, so we will need to crew with someone. Two experienced Mac owners who are not afraid to extremely heel
I like the idea, but will have to see what's going on next summer. It's only about 300 miles away for me, depending on where along the shore we would be based (NY or VT side).
I haven't done a trip like that since the last MMOR in Toronto, and they were all a lot of fun.
We will be at Lake George from 7/23 - 8/6 maybe 8/7. We can drive up, maybe a few hours north. Unfortunately, no boat, so we will need to crew with someone. Two experienced Mac owners who are not afraid to extremely heel
To tempt those who are on the fence, here are some photos from a previous trip to Lake Champlain:
Launch at Westport, NY, looking across the lake at Vermont. Plenty of parking, no charge, nearby services, and a marina not far from the launch. It feels like no one actually lives in Westport, it was like a ghost-town after 7pm. No crime, no police.
Mac on the shallow-draft dock at Basin Harbor. Room for plenty more. This was a few years ago when our boys were still small.
View of the harbor from the beach. They have golf, shuffle board, bicycle rental, hiking, swimming in the harbor or a huge pool, paddle boarding, ping pong, frisbee courses, restaurants; whatever you like. And the cost (if you stay on board) was very reasonable, much less than a motel. Here, our boys are on paddle-boards provided by the resort for free. We watched the Perseid meteor shower from the beach that year (a bit of a letdown, tbh).
Count me in. I berth in Willsboro marina. I used to belong to the northeast trailer sailors (now defunct), they had a large gathering on Valcour island years ago. pictures looked cool!
). 
~1200 miles 
