California to Hawaii?
trailorable
Not knocking Mac's I own one but Hobie made a 30ft monohull in the mid 80's that was trailorable and I have read a story about a guy that made the trip from Cal to Hawaii in one. Last time i checked they were running in the price range of 15,000 to 20,000.
Well, let's see. I asked about this gem from rec.boats faq
He did go over the issue of planing with 50HP. He said that although a 26 will plane with 50HP when heavily loaded it will not reach 23mph. He did state though that contrary to what some have suggested the 26 does not exhibit a bow down pitch when reaching planing speed. He said the best way to tell that the 26 was planing was when the bow wave moved back to the mast. He confirmed that the 26 planes at 13mph.
In regard to using the 26 for bluewater the conversation was quite interesting. The official factory position is that the 26 is a coastal cruiser. However, the reason for this was not what I've heard on other forums.
Structural failure. He said there's never been a case of structural failure in a 26.
Rigging failure. He said that the factory has had 26's in 50 knot winds without rigging failure.
Apparently, the factory is a bit conservative. For example, in spite of the Macgregor 65's beefy construction they don't recommend taking it into storms.
Apparently, the factory is even more conservative about the 26 because they know that most of the 26 owners have little experience.
He could only come up with two reasons why you couldn't sail a 26 to Hawaii. The first reason was that the hatches might not seal well enough to keep water out, however, he didn't see any reason why you couldn't fix this. Likewise, although the 26 doesn't include a bilge pump their position is that the boat should have one.
This left the final issue: weight. Apparently, the 26 only works well if the weight is kept down. The concern is that a 26 loaded well enough for ocean travel would be too heavy. This would prevent good sailing and handling, make the boat more likely to swamp, and stress the rigging. Apparently, it could be done if the boat was not overloaded. That is, the boat should bob over the waves rather than going through them as the heavy cruisers do. Likewise, there was some concern about raising the CG which would reduce the righting moment of the boat.
There were a couple of other things. He did say that the genoa is not needed on the 26M as it is on the 26X. He also said that the factory has not produced a full spinnaker yet because the crusing spinnaker works well and they are concerned that novice boaters will overpower the boat with a full spinnaker. They assume that anyone racing a 26 will simply have their own full spinnaker made. Apparently, the full spinnaker is currently a low priority.
I'm not sure but it would appear that if weight is the only issue then the 26 could be outfitted for bluewater sailing. I think it should be possible to stay within the weight and CG requirements. It's something to think about.
That got quite a laugh. However, he didn't mind comparing the 26 with the Hunter 260 and Catalina 250.If you are considering a Mac26, you should also look at the Catalina 22.
Compare the solidity of the structures, the hardware, the rigging
He did go over the issue of planing with 50HP. He said that although a 26 will plane with 50HP when heavily loaded it will not reach 23mph. He did state though that contrary to what some have suggested the 26 does not exhibit a bow down pitch when reaching planing speed. He said the best way to tell that the 26 was planing was when the bow wave moved back to the mast. He confirmed that the 26 planes at 13mph.
In regard to using the 26 for bluewater the conversation was quite interesting. The official factory position is that the 26 is a coastal cruiser. However, the reason for this was not what I've heard on other forums.
Structural failure. He said there's never been a case of structural failure in a 26.
Rigging failure. He said that the factory has had 26's in 50 knot winds without rigging failure.
Apparently, the factory is a bit conservative. For example, in spite of the Macgregor 65's beefy construction they don't recommend taking it into storms.
Apparently, the factory is even more conservative about the 26 because they know that most of the 26 owners have little experience.
He could only come up with two reasons why you couldn't sail a 26 to Hawaii. The first reason was that the hatches might not seal well enough to keep water out, however, he didn't see any reason why you couldn't fix this. Likewise, although the 26 doesn't include a bilge pump their position is that the boat should have one.
This left the final issue: weight. Apparently, the 26 only works well if the weight is kept down. The concern is that a 26 loaded well enough for ocean travel would be too heavy. This would prevent good sailing and handling, make the boat more likely to swamp, and stress the rigging. Apparently, it could be done if the boat was not overloaded. That is, the boat should bob over the waves rather than going through them as the heavy cruisers do. Likewise, there was some concern about raising the CG which would reduce the righting moment of the boat.
There were a couple of other things. He did say that the genoa is not needed on the 26M as it is on the 26X. He also said that the factory has not produced a full spinnaker yet because the crusing spinnaker works well and they are concerned that novice boaters will overpower the boat with a full spinnaker. They assume that anyone racing a 26 will simply have their own full spinnaker made. Apparently, the full spinnaker is currently a low priority.
I'm not sure but it would appear that if weight is the only issue then the 26 could be outfitted for bluewater sailing. I think it should be possible to stay within the weight and CG requirements. It's something to think about.
better not even breath a word....-
mermaelee
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 21
- Joined: Wed Feb 02, 2005 7:35 pm
- Location: Westminster, CA
- Contact:
Hawaii in a mac is doable but uncomfortable.
I just got back from Hawaii. I took the Norweigan Wind cruise ship passage from the Islands to Fanning Island, and back. On the cruise ship: (Those suckers move alot and can be uncomfortable too.) The whole ship had a lean of about 10 degrees due to the wind hitting it from the east side of the ship.
Fanning Islands are 1000 miles south of Hawaii. I noticed the Tradewinds are about 25 to 40 knots of wind ALL the TIME. If you don't hit the right latitude for Hawaii, YOU CANNOT TACK AGAINST THESE WINDS! So keep on going to Japan!
You can make 120 to 200 knots per day! The swells were average 8 to 15 feet. This spells discomfort on a boat that is 26 feet. You rock back and forth 45 degree angles instead of 30 degree angles. I recommend 36 to 70 foot vessels. I plan to get the 36 foot trimaran. You need the speed to get there in only 10 to 14 days instead of 16 to 30 days as would occur in a Mac.
I have been in worse weather going to Catalina which is 25 miles offshore and with the opposing wind and underwater mountains between LA and Catalina you get some perfect storms.
The trade winds don't look fearfull in comparison, but the bottom line is comfort. You can get to Hawaii in a bathtub, but try it first on near shore lengthy trips. I plan to sail to Cabo san Lucas first on a trimaran before I try Hawaii. Don't go for the gold! Know your bathtub before you circumnavigate!
Fanning Islands are 1000 miles south of Hawaii. I noticed the Tradewinds are about 25 to 40 knots of wind ALL the TIME. If you don't hit the right latitude for Hawaii, YOU CANNOT TACK AGAINST THESE WINDS! So keep on going to Japan!
You can make 120 to 200 knots per day! The swells were average 8 to 15 feet. This spells discomfort on a boat that is 26 feet. You rock back and forth 45 degree angles instead of 30 degree angles. I recommend 36 to 70 foot vessels. I plan to get the 36 foot trimaran. You need the speed to get there in only 10 to 14 days instead of 16 to 30 days as would occur in a Mac.
I have been in worse weather going to Catalina which is 25 miles offshore and with the opposing wind and underwater mountains between LA and Catalina you get some perfect storms.
The trade winds don't look fearfull in comparison, but the bottom line is comfort. You can get to Hawaii in a bathtub, but try it first on near shore lengthy trips. I plan to sail to Cabo san Lucas first on a trimaran before I try Hawaii. Don't go for the gold! Know your bathtub before you circumnavigate!
I go to Catalina every chance I get. Even from Oceanside, a 52 mile passage, but no, I will really never brave a Hawaiin passage!I guess if I mentioned some of the mods I've been thinking about then you'd really think I was nuts. The only mod I'm certain I'll get is a marine toilet with holding tank instead of the porta-potti. Beyond this I think a 40E watermaker would be good for an ocean trip. However, this would require an accumulator tank and generator to recharge the batteries so room becomes a factor. You still need room for food, medical and navigation supplies, as well as spare water. And, probably a liferaft. I suppose if I could find the room I'd see about adding a hotwater heater and shower in the head.
Assuming I could get enough gear and supplies onboard without exceeding the CG and weight allowance I guess I'd have to try it out on some lakes, then the Great Lakes. Then maybe the rough water around San Francisco. Then perhaps the crossing to Hawaii and back. Then possibly the Atlantic. I doubt there would be enough supplies for more than an Atlantic trip. But, this would depend on a lot things working out and I can't say how likely that would be at this point. It's something to shoot for.
Assuming I could get enough gear and supplies onboard without exceeding the CG and weight allowance I guess I'd have to try it out on some lakes, then the Great Lakes. Then maybe the rough water around San Francisco. Then perhaps the crossing to Hawaii and back. Then possibly the Atlantic. I doubt there would be enough supplies for more than an Atlantic trip. But, this would depend on a lot things working out and I can't say how likely that would be at this point. It's something to shoot for.
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Phillip
- First Officer
- Posts: 330
- Joined: Fri Nov 26, 2004 11:49 pm
- Location: Sunshine Coast Australia 2000 26X Tohatsu 50hp
I have some across some one identical to you Brent, from another site not yet mentioned.
This other 'guy' writes the same way. Same subject (not pertaining to Macs tho), same questions, and pages of B/S.
Brent there are 3 types of people in this world. One "does" things, one "talks about doing things" and the other teaches others "how to do things which they have never properly done themselves".
Why don't you just do it Brent. Then come back and tell everybody how you went. Believe me everybody will respect you for it. You'll be really famous...believe me.
But......if you are they guy from the other board, you won't. He didn't have the nuts.
They called him a troll, but credit to him where credit is due - he got them all going and it went on for pages..and pages, till they woke up to him
But then again, I am probably confusing you with him, so I apologise for that.
Cheers
Phillip
This other 'guy' writes the same way. Same subject (not pertaining to Macs tho), same questions, and pages of B/S.
Brent there are 3 types of people in this world. One "does" things, one "talks about doing things" and the other teaches others "how to do things which they have never properly done themselves".
Why don't you just do it Brent. Then come back and tell everybody how you went. Believe me everybody will respect you for it. You'll be really famous...believe me.
But......if you are they guy from the other board, you won't. He didn't have the nuts.
They called him a troll, but credit to him where credit is due - he got them all going and it went on for pages..and pages, till they woke up to him
But then again, I am probably confusing you with him, so I apologise for that.
Cheers
Phillip
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Frank & Meg
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 54
- Joined: Tue Jan 06, 2004 8:30 am
- Location: Raleigh, NC
Re: Hi there.
Hey Phillip - I don't think you're wrong.
Frank & Meg wrote:Are you by chance the same Brent recently posting the same question to the Trailer Sailor board ?
If so, for the benefit of current board members, I'd like to point out this comment from the TSB that typifies the results of that Brent's threads
http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/mac ... read/19877
Kinda Mighetto-ish
Apologies in advance if you're not the same guy...
Frank
I have had my Mac out in Lake Erie in bad wind and waves for short periods of time (for you not familiar, Lake Erie is VERY treacherous in a storm......although the waves are more square and shorter period than the Pacific) and I can not imagine enduring a long Pacific storm in our beloved 'cork' with any number of people on board. That goes double if you are new to sailing. Sure, people have survived in alot less..........but do you want this trip to be enjoyable or a spinoff of the reality series "Lost"?...........working title: "Tossed". Maybe Paris Hilton is available? 