So why is the mac 26 x or m not a good sailer

[TAW02]

As a matter of fact, the X or the M is the fastest of both categories.

That being Powerboat vs Sailboat.

The X or the M is the FASTEST Boat in the Powerboat category in that it SAILS FASTER than any Powerboat out there!!!

AND ... in the Sailboat World, the X and the M Can MOTOR FASTER than any Sailboat of its size out there!!!

Who will dare challenge these facts?

Big T

[jeffz]

We are self learning how to sail on our . Even had a sailor on board who is certified in one of the ASA courses. He and his wife had a fun time. We were their guests on a 35' Odin for a weekend Hunter gathering and on the way back just like they had on the way down river there was no wind. We had made this trip once before on the first overnighter we had on our boat last year and motored it in about 75 minutes. It took nearly 3 hours to get back to Portland.

On the long trips we have taken(20-30 miles one way) I am sure glad we have the 70hp Suzuki. We can cruise along at 6-7 mph and sip fuel or get her going and get somewhere. It depends what you want to do with the boat, we go out often for a few hours just to sail. We have not once regretted our purchase. We have a lot of options and really do not regret buying these at the time of purchase
Lines led aft
70hp
12v starting battery and 2 6v house batteries
535 garmin

The only thing i would do in the future is add some weight to the DB and we would like to do some mods for storage in the cabin.

AND looking hard at some Ida Sailor rudders. This is my biggest complaint is the steering under light wind conditions.

Our situation is such that after trailer rigging a few times we decided to slip the boat. We have reasonable moorage here and it lets us enjoy 2-4 hours of sailing without the setup and tear down.


Jeff Z

[jeffz]

PS

We got up to about 6.5mph last year. Felt like a porche!!!!

[Doug W]

I've seen mods online for cutter rigging a Mac 26 with a bowsprit and fore stay sail. What does this do to the sailing ability of both Macs? Does it add any speed; or, is it better to just get an spinaker?

Does the M sail into the wind better than the X? During Thanksgiving, I finally got to see both the M and the X at Lake Pleasant in Arizona. Didn't get to sail either--yet.

[captain frank II]

Check out the Portsmouth numbers found on the US sailing website ! http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/tab ... es06kb.asp
Portsmouth numbers are based on reported actual races and results : not numbers assigned by a commitee based on local Lack of knowledge (PHRF).

you will find PHRF numbers in a wide range for the Macgreggor x and m with most being way off reality.


your AMF appollo 15.9"" is found under centerboard class (compare your number to Macgreggors, etc ).

The Macgreggors and hunters are found under offshore keelboat classes.

You can modify and spend more money modifying a boat , but consider buying a faster design to start with if that is what is important to you. The Hunter 260 is a faster sailboat than the M and X 's , just did not have the big motor. The Mac D and C are good sailers , just don't have the best headroom. The Hunter Edge got a good review on the madmariner website, but no hard data was revealed.

I now sail an S2 7.9 (26 foot) ; it has good headroom, 4 berths, portsmouth 81 (very fast) and is easily trailerable. Small motor. A limited reproduction run is now planned. see website http://www.sailingsource.com/s279/

Good luck deciding on deciding what boat fits you the best, but remember "When any 2 sailboats meet, there is a race !"

[Doug W]

Thanks! Good info! I did look up your S2, my AMF and Macgregor 26's and plug in some numbers!

My leaky little apollo has been plenty fast enough for me...providing me with a number of interesting high-pucker-factor moments.

Since I'm not going to be sailing the carribbean, a trailerable powersailor seem to fit what I need in the midwest. Hunter's Edge 27 has some attractive features namely the swim platform, easy access cockpit and the additional beam. But the Macgregor still has many features I really like--including a better price point which my own Admiral likes.

I finally got to explorer a new 26M and a pair of older 26X's. I had been really liking the M but must admit, the X interior layout seems roomier. Having sliced over a hidden underwater ridge with my centerboard Apollo once, the dagger board of the M concerns me a little. Reading through some of these threads tonight, I REALLY wish I would have tried sitting my bulky 6'2" 240lb frame into the Head of both the M and the X just to see how I fit.

Hopefully, in the 2009 season, I can find a 26X and a 26M owner in my state who would allow a guest to sail with them!