Buying a 2002 26X (I think)

[Nettech]

Hello all! I have been reading the posts since I am looking at a 2002 26X, and have a question about heeling and stability. I have read that with a Mac, you should "reef early". Why? Will she suffer a knock down in anything over 18mph? Does she heel to much? My wife and I took our keel boat lessons on a compac 24, our last boat was a helsen 22, and on neither boat did I ever feel threatened or in trouble in winds up to 25 mph with the main and jib flying. They would both heel over to the gunnys, but I never was in fear of a knockdown. The helsen we even tried to see just how far she would go, but it always rounded up before going over. The compac would get so much pressure on the tiller you would need the Gov of Ca. to hold it on course, so I would always fall off when I could not hold it anymore. Sorry for the long post, but since I would have my family in the boat, I want to make sure I get a safe one. And when the Admiral is at the wheel, her idea of sailing is to see just how far over she can get it to go.

[Scott]

Welcome aboard. There are many long threads regarding this. Look up heel, heeling, heal, knock down and the likes.

My personal experience is that no, in 15-18 mph wind a Mac will not lay down. It can be sailed in that kind of wind. Im not saying that you cant lay it down in 15-18 but with care you can sail with the canvas up in that much wind. Your wife will be pleased however as she will see plenty of water at the rail.

You wont make as much headway layed over like that but it sure is fun. For the most part we have the same experience, our boat also rounds up when we lay it down in high winds.

[mike]

The 26X will heel quickly, but in higher winds with the sheets pulled in trying to sail upwind, I think it would just tend to round up into the wind rather than tip over.

--Mike

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Sailing a Mac...has been no problems for me. My former Mac 26S, and present boat, a Mac 26X handles great. Ive put the waterline along side the deck with my 26S...great fun. I like sailing my MacX more conservatively though. During cold wintry months...I leave the mast and hardware home...and enjoy my Power Cabin Cruizer. Great family fun.

[Frank C]

Hello all! ... question about heeling and stability. I have read that with a Mac, you should "reef early". Why? Will she suffer a knock down in anything over 18mph? Does she heel to much? ...

Some here have knocked-down, Ken Smith comes to mind, but these boats are much more likely to round-up than go over. And if properly ballasted, she'll self-right anyhow. The reef-early warnings are just to maximize enjoyment, since it's no fun to constantly fight the rounding. I've had my 2000X in some pretty stiff winds without ever being pushed over (actually, I saw the water line thru the side ports for quite some distance one day, like Louis described above).

But sailing in winds of 20 mph, you'll need to add sail controls beyond Roger's standard issue ... lacking a traveler, I think you'll need a heavy vang (12:1) and adjustable backstay ... probably essential. To even to manage holding an upwind heading (IMO) it requires centerboard slightly aft, the first main-reef, mainsail well-flattened and a standard jib.

Remember that this boat's semi-planing hull won't get sucked into the quarter-wave. Trimmed thusly to a close reach (60 deg off-wind), I've seen a heel-angle of 30+ degrees and boatspeed steady at 8+ mph - it might refuse to tack (search term "backstays?" for a recent thread), but that initial upwind track will be quite a rush for as long as you have open water -
then just gybe for more!

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

I find that in heavy winds the main sail tends to get overpowered very quickly and the boat constantly rounds up. You find yourself fighting the helm to keep a course and the constant rounding up causes the boat to loose speed all the time. Take a reef early and you will be able to hold a course much better and will actually maintain a better speed.

[Nettech]

Thanks guys, my wife loves the Mac 26 cabin, and I like the deep cockpit, and the positive floatation. I have also read all the bashing on other forums, but since we are not out to race, I think it will make a great family boat. I think having my wife and I both certified will help us with the few problems of the sailing issues I have read about them. As for the 50 hp Honda hanging on the back, well, I have spent years power boating, and I find out I prefer the quiet sail now. Our instructer would not even let us use one. We had to leave the dock and return to the dock under sail. I am glad of that now, but man did I use to get mad at him then!