Any MacGregor sailors in Florida?

[Ellen Bailey]

My husband, daughter & I will be in Florida Feb. 4-13 Ft. Myers area, then south to who knows where up to Orlando then Jacksonville.

We bought our new 26M last summer and had some "experiences" which led us to believe we would very much benefit from from sailing with someone with experience since we are both novices.

Our first year experience was mainly in Colorado but we did get down to Lake Powell this fall. In Colorado the winds are erratic, changing direction without warning, heavy gusts coming out of nowhere, etc. When this happens, it's always when we have full sail out and the boat heels so suddenly and heavily that it feels like we are going all the way over. Don't know if it's just our fear or if it really is going over too far. Thought it might do us some good while in Florida to experience what steady winds feel like, get a "good" feel for heeling, when to reef, etc.

Would like to find someone that could take us out on a 26M (new model with roller furling jib and mainsail reefing system if possible) while we are in Florida and give us some pointers. A reasonable fee is fine, but we are do not interested in enrolling in ASA sailing school at this point. Finding a Mac dealer down there that gives lessons would be an alternative. Any suggestions/recommendations? Thanks, Ellen

[Jeff]

Ellen,

I don't have any info on Florida MacGregors, but I do know there are a couple of active posters on this board in the Fort Myers area. Gents?

This is off topic and I'll gladly repost it to your thread of last summer, but... Since you're here... Did you try the skiing thing behind your new Mac yet? How about tubing? How well did it work for you, etc, etc. I've got more than a passing interest, as I've made a deposit on my own Mac and I'm going with the Suzuki 70 for similar reasons. Thanks, Jeff

Moderators please forgive me if this should have been asked in the old thread.

[James V]

Dear Jeff, I just bought my boat and store it in the Ft Myers area. Sorry, I do not live there, just go there for vacations. The local dealer is Gulf Island Sails. Please contact Jim at 941-833-0099 and he should be able to set you up. I plan to be back in eary March. If you are still there. I will be glad to give you and your family a ride.
Regards, James V

[Moe]

Moderators please forgive me if this should have been asked in the old thread.

I asked Ellen the same thing in a PM last night, Jeff.

Ellen, please respond to our questions about waterskiing in waterskiing thread. I've unlocked it so that you can.

[Jeff]

Thanks, Moe!

[Ellen Bailey]

Jeff & Moe - We got a Mercury 4 stroke 90 HP and did not try to slalom. We got top speed of 23 MPH and it took a while to get there. Did great for wakeboarding & kneeboarding, but I will have to try getting up two skis and dropping one to slalom next summer. I'll let you know how that works out.

[Ellen Bailey]

James - Thanks for the info and the offer but we'll be leaving mid February. I'll give Gulf Sails a call.