California to Hawaii?

[TampaMac]

Yeah right after the perfect Storm Zone I think there are monsters and then you fall off the end of the earth.

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

Yeah right after the perfect Storm Zone I think there are monsters and then you fall off the end of the earth.

You got that right. But then we are from the east coast. It might be different in the Pacific.

[brent]

I want to thank everyone who responded. I'll even say "thanks" to Frank who I believe in a roundabout and perhaps somewhat agressive fashion is still trying to say something. Frank, if your message was that the idea is completely crazy then you should know that I heard you even if I'm not sure that I agree with you.

I want to also say that this forum has shown me something that I didn't see before. Up until now I really didn't distinguish between people who had specific criticisms about the 26's seaworthiness and people who were simply conveying the very understandable fear of sailing offshore in a small craft. This was not an easy distinction for me to make; it never has been.

When I was ten years old my kite got stuck in the top of a 50' oak tree. So, I climbed the tree and got my kite down. It never occured to me that there was anything peculiar about doing that. However, when I was in High School, a friend of mine told me one day that his model rocket was stuck in a tree. He said that he, his brother, and two of their friends had been there when it happened but that no one had been able to figure out how to get the rocket down. I told him I could try to climb the tree, but he was very sceptical. He remained sceptical as we walked over to the woods and I expected that the tree would be unclimbable. Afterall, the other four were all taller than me and in better shape. So, I was really surprised when I saw the tree. I had no trouble climbing it, getting his rocket, and climbing back down. Twenty years later, I'm still not sure what stopped them.

I guess this a bit like that. Right now I don't know if this tree is climbable or not. I guess I'll get a better idea when I see a MacGregor in person. Thank you.

[HERNDON]

I wonder what time of the year would be best to leave and from
which port...San Francisco, LA, Santa Cruz...

Would you sail direct or south along the coast and then head west.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Brent, I think it would be cool if someone who was very well prepared did this and succeeded. In fact, I wonder what ever happened to "risky" who was the guy that started the last big thread about this which Mark pointed to. I expect that most people that start these threads are just talking a good game and never really do it.

Your story about the tree reminds me about something that happened in my neighborhood a few years ago. Some kid's cat got "stuck" in a tall tree so a neighbor tried to be a good samaritan and get the cat out of the tree by climbing it. Tragicly, this middle aged man fell from about 50 feet and was killed instantly. He had two young children. I wouldn't be surprised if this guy used to climb trees pretty easily when he was 10 years old. The really bad part about this story is that the cat probably could have gotten down itself once all the people stopped freaking it out.

Personally, I don't climb trees anymore myself, although I do still climb a 30 foot ladder to cut palm fronds when hurricanes are coming...or repair soffit/fascia damage after the hurricane. I am much more careful now than I used to be...a lot of fears get stronger with age...like after you've seen what happens when someone falls out of a tree.

I want to make an Ocean passage myself one day....but I'll probably be pretty old by then so I'll have to rely on wisdom and lots of good equipment since I won't have youthful exhuberance and stamina. A well-equipped 50 footer is what I'll need then!

[Tony D-26X_SusieQ]

I believe the course would be something like: second star on the right and on untill morning.

[LCB]

Hello,

I have been gone for awhile but I see that, its d��vu all over again.

Brent,

The Mac was not designed or intended for long offshore passages, and it would be foolish to expect that it would do such, well. It was and is, intended to be trailerable to sheltered areas for comfortable weekend type use. This it does very well, and because of this, it appeals to people of such intent. People, who generally do not aspire to crossing oceans in small boats, and know little about the subject. Such people comprise the majority of the contributors to this board. God bless them all, I have gained many usefull ideas from this board. But they, for the most part, are not adventurers, and like the flock advising Johnathan, seem, with no malice intended, intent on discouraging those who are. This is not meant as a criticism, but to point out a fact of life, that one seeking advice should be aware of.

Be that as it may. The Mac is capable of a reasonably safe passage to Hawaii; There is no doubt in my mind that I could do it, But why????? The trip even single handed would be Spartan and uncomfortable, once there, what would you do?? The trip back would be even more uncomfortable. Stay in Hawaii? The boat is not suitable for use in those Islands. Continue on? The boat is an extremely poor choice for extended use in the South Pacific. Sell it? You will probably lose considerable money. Ship it back? Why not take the money and invest in a more suitable boat?


Gulf of California, Bahamas, Caribbean ???? Now,,,,,, this is a very different story!!!!!!

Russ

P.S. Dry ice????????? There went your credibility.

[brent]

I haven't climbed any trees lately but I have worked on a plank set on ladderjacks at the top of my 22' extension ladders. The ladders are rated for the load, the ladderjacks are reliable and the plank is of sufficient strength. But, I'm not sure how many people would be comfortable doing that. I also had to do some work under the floor of my addition. However, because the new floor had to match the old floor there was not enough clearance to crawl under the floor joists. So, I had to use a camp shovel and dig out a 26' trench to get across the end. These things are not terribly risky but still not something that most people would do. My brother fell and broke his arm while rock climbing. This isn't something I've ever done and I don't see any reason to take the risk; I'm not really a thrill seeker. There is a lot of room between what most people (even sailors) are comfortable with and what is unnecessarily risky. I'm not sure at this point if a trip to Hawaii in a 26 is reasonable or too risky.

I agree that the trip would be spartan but so is camping in a tent (which is also not something that most people do). If I were to take such a trip I would plan to sail to Hawaii and then sail back. This has been done singlehand in a Merit 25. He took 17 days out and 26 days back after sailing north to 40 degrees lattitude to pick up the westerlies. Having a motor to get through the horse lattitudes would be a big help. This isn't really as big of a deal as most people seem to suggest. You ought to be able to tell how good of passage your boat is making long before you get halfway there. You could have a decision point of 400-500 miles before continuing on to Hawaii. For example, if you were only making 4 knots headway then the trip might be unpractical, but 6 knots might be just fine. Just because you start there is nothing to say you have to keep going. This should be common sense and nothing at all like taking a ride in Spaceship One.

As to taking the money and investing in a more reasonable boat, I've already explained this. I don't live near a river, channel, or large lake. To get to any reasonable body of water requires towing over the highway. Boats like the Albin Vega and Contessa 26 are transportable but not ramp launchable so they wouldn't do me much good. In other words, your argument is backward. You suggest that buying a deeper keel boat would be a better investment, but, for me, it isn't. The 26 is a boat I could use often for sailing; a deeper keel boat would only be useful for one trip and then I'd have to sell it. For someone who lives on the west coast, however, you have a very good point.

[Jeff Ritsema]

Brent,
I notice you live in Indiana. As a resident of Michigan who has sailed the Great Lakes for 30 years, I would encourage you to get a taste of big water sailing on Lk Michigan first. When I first started sailing, I romanticized about bluewater passages, read about it, studied it, attended years of seminars, etc. I learned to love cruising in 5 different boats, starting with trailor sailing, went to BIG boat sailing, and now have come full circle back to trailer sailing. Though I own a Mast 28, it is much like the Mac and offers you all the flexibility that you will need to visit and cruise the Gt Lakes. Believe me, you will get every bit of challenge you can imagine on Lk Michigan, and you will have the safety of coastal cruising first, and then crossing the lake as your experience and confidence in the boat grows. The trailerable powersailors are an
excellent boat for these waters. The Mac is plenty of investment in a first boat. You can learn a lot from the ownership of this boat and should you decide to change boats, this boat will sell easily. As you can tell from the others in this forum, the Mac offers a lot. I would also encourage buying a used one if you can find one. This time of the year is a good time to buy if you can locate one. Call Powersailing in Burton, Ohio, and ask Danny Sturm if he knows of any good used boats. I believe his father had one for sale.
Hope this helps.
Jeff.

[richandlori]

I just be realized that I may be wasting my time reading any more of these back and forth comments about the Mac sailing off to Hawaii. So this is the last time I will read these responses, so Don't bother taking time to call me a "non risk taker" or critize me for spelling errors or incorrect syntax.

For those who want to sail a Mac to Hawaii go to it, have fun and let us know how the adventure went. But it doesn't seem to me like some people are really wanting the advice once they get it. Can a Mac make it, Yes. Can people survive going over Niagra falls in a Barrel, Yes. Hey to each his own.

A true "risk taker" or tree climber, wouldn't ask others for their opinion, he would just go. Columbus was told he couldn't make it across the ocean and that he would fall off the face of the earth, but he didn't, so to the true adventures....go. Besides it will give us something to laugh at when we see the coast guard rescue on TV.

Regards and Farwell.

[LCB]

Neither, reading, responding, or even efficient use of time is required. Isnt that great!!

Russ

[jklightner]

Every summer there is a race from Victoria B.C. to Maui. While getting picked for the race crew is difficult, it is much easier to sign on for the trip back. Especially if your willing to kick in for expenses. This might be a good way to test your mettle and see if it is really for you. Here is a link to their website with lots of info.

http://www.vicmaui.org/2004/index.html

[brent]

I just be realized that I may be wasting my time reading any more of these back and forth comments about the Mac sailing off to Hawaii. So this is the last time I will read these responses, so Don't bother taking time to call me a "non risk taker" or critize me for spelling errors or incorrect syntax.

I'm sorry if this thread has upset you. At first I thought that I or someone else had made a negative reply to one of your posts. However, I've checked over this thread and the "packing for hawaii" thread and I can't find any other post you've made. I can certainly respect anyone's choice to not sail offshore in a Mac 26 or any other small boat. Also, other people who might want to try something similar may be prevented by other factors like time, money, sailing experience, or have family and prefer to not take unnecessary risks. Finally, I have several uncorrected errors in my posts; no one has picked on them yet.

But it doesn't seem to me like some people are really wanting the advice once they get it.

For me this is a hypothetical discussion. I've never seen a MacGregor 26 in person so I don't have a fully formed idea about taking one to Hawaii. At this point, I could decide to get something else or I could decide to get a 26 and not take it to Hawaii.

A true "risk taker" or tree climber, wouldn't ask others for their opinion, he would just go.

I don't see myself as a risk taker.

Columbus was told he couldn't make it across the ocean and that he would fall off the face of the earth, but he didn't, so to the true adventures....go.

Actually, Columbus was told that the Earth was too big to sail west to India. He went anyway and he was proven wrong. He then tried to suggest that the Earth is actually shaped like a lemon and he had made it all the way around the smaller part.

Besides it will give us something to laugh at when we see the coast guard rescue on TV.

Sounds like a good idea for a reality show. The tribulations could be right up there with Survivor.

[Norm]

Every summer there is a race from Victoria B.C. to Maui. While getting picked for the race crew is difficult, it is much easier to sign on for the trip back. Especially if your willing to kick in for expenses. This might be a good way to test your mettle and see if it is really for you. Here is a link to their website with lots of info.

http://www.vicmaui.org/2004/index.html

That is a very good idea!


Wanting to sail to Hawaii and back is natural for sailors on the west coast. Everytime I toy with the idea, I just remember back to one trip I took on a 500ft Navy Cruiser. San Diego to Hawaii in late September, we went through a tropical storm that I would'nt want to be on any sailboat in! The trip back in early May though, would have been perfect sailing for a small boat.

November or May are the best times to go. August and September are the most dangerous for storms and hurricanes. Wasn't "Risky" planning to go in September?

Anyone heard from "Risky"?

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

The last time I went to Hawaii I didn't even get off the plane.