Macgregor 65/70 Discussion

[Russ]

I thought the big beamy sleds that top out in the low twenties, or that big multi that can get cited for speeding on most major highways are the future of boat racing. The Mac 70 won't be anywhere that fast. A fast cruiser to be sure, and safer and more comfort.
Ix

Your right, the MAC 70 will not be anywhere NEAR as fast as the new boats - and in fact for top speed runs the MAC has been slower than almost all the boats it's been beating for YEARS.
It's not about top speed, that's great in a regatta sailing around buoys and a committee boat, but for long ocean passages the MAC still has the best sustained overall mean average speed, which is what counts on a long passage. The MAC 65 still holds a record for holding a constant speed above twenty knots for the longest period of time. The thing crosses oceans like a Royal Caribbean Cruse Ship! It never slows down!

And when the water is rough the MAC is WAY better and WAY more comfortable than getting pounded and thrown around on the surface like those new wide boats. The MAC is a submarine - it just slices right under the stuff. I still think long and narrow and low is still the best for extended cruising if your trying to put away the nautical miles in the least amount of time - I like to travel.

If i were sitting at the dock most the time I probably would consider the wider boats more, but I like to TRAVEL. That's what I think a boat is for, to travel. Everyone is different.

BOAT....I think you need one of these boats. Ask Mike if you can pre-order one.

[Hamin' X]

You can trade in your tow beast on it. You won't be hauling it down the road anywhere!

~Rich

[BOAT]

If I could afford a big boat I would get the 70 because I really like the way they set up the inside helm. The helm is important to me because I am not the type that uses a boat for social purposes or entertaining, I use a boat to travel. That's why I like the 26 - I can go almost anywhere (except out in the middle of the ocean, I can't cross the ocean!) The new wider boats are great, (traveling condos), made for the destination. After all, the destination is what it's all about for most people so that makes perfect sense. But I also understand why the MAC 65 was the most popular ever made of all boats that size (they made 100 of them) it's a "Captains" boat. A pilots dream.

There is a big difference between a guy born in money who may have gone to ivy league college and is accustomed to being around wealthy people - sure - in that case I can understand those people need to keep up appearances with all the other wealthy people and have a boat with all that fine expensive wood joinery and brass. I totally get it and I think those folks are fine, nothing at all wrong with it. After all, a boat IS a 'luxury' item, so they are just fine by enjoying the fruits of their labor with full luxury they can afford. I agree 100%. . . . But gee whiz guys, it's only ME - I don't throw cocktail parties for senators! I'm just a regular guy. I have lots of friends that are very very wealthy but they don't expect me to keep up with them! I have members in my own family that are wealthy beyond what you could imagine, but that's them, not me. I totally understand their situation and I know the luxury yacht builders have nothing to worry about. I have been around 'wealthy' enough to know what it looks like and I know how to make stuff look 'wealthy' using my own two hands, but I myself am quite lower middle class as far as money is concerned. I don't have a lot and don't need a lot. Most of what I have I have because I built it with my own two hands. Money does not make you rich, and you don't need a lot of money to have 'stuff'. I could turn a MAC 70 into a 'luxury condo' with my own two hands if i wanted to.

For me it's all about the JOURNEY, the traveling part - I love to just point a heading and get on a long leg and JUST KEEP GOING . . it's SO cool - only a ship can do that for you - that's what the MAC 70 is - it's the smallest SHIP you can get that is still a boat (a boat is something that one person can sail). With that helm setup you can stay warm and dry right there inside and steer through the worst storm for days on end and your food and restroom and reefer and everything you need is RIGHT THERE at the helm! It's great! What a way to travel! The 70 is a boat for travel, I agree it's not a boat to impress other people in the yacht club. Other boats are better at the destination, but I doubt most other boats are better on the journey.

I have been traveling around in RV's and vans and campers since I was 16 and people who know me and camp with me all say i have the worst case of "hitch Itch" they have ever seen. As soon as I get to a destination and get set up, by the next day I'm already wanting to "hitch up" and get back on the road to somewhere else. I'm the same way on the boat. That 70 would be perfect for me.

[Russ]

... and your food and restroom and reefer and everything you need is RIGHT THERE at the helm! .

Kind of all goes together doesn't it?

Hey Mike, any word on what this boat will sell for? Ballpark? I would guess they are going to have lots of customization.

[BOAT]

They said it was 250 grand -

[Russ]

They said it was 250 grand -

That's what Roger was selling Anthem for. This boat, with carbon fiber everything and other high tech stuffs has to cost more than that. Wouldn't surprise me if the spars alone cost $250k.

Also, what kinds of interior stuff will be available. The old 65 had that aft cabin for generators etc.
Power Winches?
Dual Steering?
Bow thrusters?
Water maker?
Generator?
Fuel/Water Capacities?
Any details available?
Photos?

[BOAT]

So actually the boat would be around a million dollars? Does that sound right? I'm not much experienced in large sums of money so I have no clue what something like that would cost. millions?

[K9Kampers]

... and your food and restroom and reefer and everything you need is RIGHT THERE at the helm! .

Kind of all goes together doesn't it?

To paraphrase...
All I need is an able ship, a star to steer her by AND a cool buzz, and I'm fine!!

[tek]

They said it was 250 grand -

That's what Roger was selling Anthem for. This boat, with carbon fiber everything and other high tech stuffs has to cost more than that. Wouldn't surprise me if the spars alone cost $250k.

Also, what kinds of interior stuff will be available. The old 65 had that aft cabin for generators etc.
Power Winches?
Dual Steering?
Bow thrusters?
Water maker?
Generator?
Fuel/Water Capacities?
Any details available?
Photos?

Did I miss something here? I thought the next production boat was supposed to be based on Anthem.

[BOAT]

If I had 250 grand I still could not buy it because it would need a 2000 dollar a month slip to store it. I don't think it comes in a trailer version and I don't think my sprinter can pull it. If I was really really rich I would want the same setup that Roger has - I would want a 100 foot dock right out the front door of a home in Newport - that way I don't need to pay for a slip and I can work on my boat right from home that way I like.

So I guess for me it will be the M26 for quite a long time!!

Any of you guys rich enough for a 70 footer should really consider that MAC if your at all serious about transpac travels and atlantic crossings - that IS the way to go!

[Russ]

They said it was 250 grand -

That's what Roger was selling Anthem for. This boat, with carbon fiber everything and other high tech stuffs has to cost more than that. Wouldn't surprise me if the spars alone cost $250k.

Also, what kinds of interior stuff will be available. The old 65 had that aft cabin for generators etc.
Power Winches?
Dual Steering?
Bow thrusters?
Water maker?
Generator?
Fuel/Water Capacities?
Any details available?
Photos?

Did I miss something here? I thought the next production boat was supposed to be based on Anthem.

It is my understanding that the new boat uses the same molds as Anthem (the Mac 65). However, Mike has told us that it will be very different from Anthem. Carbon fiber spars, carbon fiber and epoxy hull. Big engine to pump ballast. Sounds very interesting and very different from the previous Mac65. Would love to know what other fun stuff they are putting into it.

Here's Mike in the factory discussing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap8u56Q_Uh4

[tek]

They said it was 250 grand -

That's what Roger was selling Anthem for. This boat, with carbon fiber everything and other high tech stuffs has to cost more than that. Wouldn't surprise me if the spars alone cost $250k.

Also, what kinds of interior stuff will be available. The old 65 had that aft cabin for generators etc.
Power Winches?
Dual Steering?
Bow thrusters?
Water maker?
Generator?
Fuel/Water Capacities?
Any details available?
Photos?[/quote]

Did I miss something here? I thought the next production boat was supposed to be based on Anthem. [/quote]

It is my understanding that the new boat uses the same molds as Anthem (the Mac 65). However, Mike has told us that it will be very different from Anthem. Carbon fiber spars, carbon fiber and epoxy hull. Big engine to pump ballast. Sounds very interesting and very different from the previous Mac65. Would love to know what other fun stuff they are putting into it.

Here's Mike in the factory discussing it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ap8u56Q_Uh4[/quote]

I'm curious about how soon the new boat will start production, as well as price.. meanwhile still looking at old 65's, don't want to wait too many years before being able to cross an ocean. I have seen a few early models (without pilothouse) on the market, maybe go a little cheaper while looking towards what is available in the future. (... realizing its a pretty hefty chunk of change for any of them.)

[Russ]

I'm curious about how soon the new boat will start production, as well as price.. meanwhile still looking at old 65's, don't want to wait too many years before being able to cross an ocean. I have seen a few early models (without pilothouse) on the market, maybe go a little cheaper while looking towards what is available in the future. (... realizing its a pretty hefty chunk of change for any of them.)

Yea, I'm curious also. Price, features etc.

The old Mac65s can be had cheaply. They were simpler no frills boats, like our smaller brothers. Makes them affordable to buy. Not necessarily to keep in a slip.

The 65 was built for speed and I suspect the new incarnation will be also.

If you want to cross an ocean, a smaller boat might makes more sense. I was in Honduras in June and talking to a couple who sailed around the world twice. They did it in a 42 boat. I questioned why so small and was told that ocean crossing cruisers find this length matches trans oceanic wave lengths better. If you want to cross oceans, spend some time on cruising forums and learn what type of boat is best for that.
If you want to win ocean races, the Mac65/70 will be a fast boat as the older Mac65s were.

[BOAT]

Yes, I HIGHLY recommend the 'Pilot House' type configuration if you really plan to cross an ocean. And to be honest their are some VERY VERY nice Pilot House sailboats out there every bit as seaworthy, one in particular comes to mind is the Locura - take a tour of the interior of this boat and you will see that the really serious newer oceanic crossing boats all have that sort of "plastic Spartan" look inside - that's just more practical for a owner that is also a pilot. Most of these types of boats are over 80 feet long or less than 50 feet - ever wonder why? The MAC at 70 is smaller and easier for a single pilot. The MAC is too narrow to need a dual helm setup (Port and Starboard) and honestly is it really necessary if your not racing? The new boats are SO wide I think they NEED the dual helm. In most cases a single hand boat is going to be around 40 feet, and that is the REAL reason why so many ocean crossing boats are 40 footers, (because they can't crew a 80 footer). The MAC is single handed at 70 feet, and that is RARE. Try to find other that size for single handed sailing.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=01uaDoluhzo

Anyways, all nice boats. I'm sure Locura can handle the storms just fine but it is a 90 foot boat! Your gonna need to hire employees just to put out to sea!

For us guys that like to sail our own boats the Pilothouse configuration is the best IMO and if your alone or only have your wife with you having the galley right below the wheel house is a BIG PLUS. I really think Rogers layout is great, and that huge garage in the back is also a great bonus room that a guy can customize based on your habits: It can be a stateroom when you have kids or garage other boats or use for fishing - it's a great setup and being a watertight compartment it's a major saftey feature. The DECORATIONS or lack of are just superficial - those can be customized and fixed up by any good interior decorator and a finish carpenter to whatever design you desire. Take it from a guy that have built his own motor-homes, you can go a far as you want AFTER the fact.

I would love to customize a MAC 70. I could easily make the interior of a MAC 70 look just as good as LOCURA in that video - EASY.

[tek]

I like the long waterline on the Big Macs.. I enquired about a couple of pilot house versions that went under contract quickly. It seems hard to catch one before it is snapped up by someone. Apply some engineering knowledge, although I'll admit not working specifically with hydrodynamics, and I don't put any stock in the 40 footers being proper wavelength for ocean crossing, pretty sure that is just how people convince themselves to be happy with what they chose. That also makes the assumption you will never be sailing fast enough to overtake waves, which I believe the 65 capable of. While I like the pilot house, I really don't see reason to eliminate the early models from the running provided one is in good condition. So far I've had difficulty finding any real information and/or experience based opinion on the early models.

Still trying to wrap my mind around how wavelengths can favor a 40 footer.. if someone knows an explanation please enlighten me.