Buying a new Mac

[Pete]

I am ordering a Mac from Scotts Yachts here in wilmington and wanted to open a discussion about options. I have searched and read all the posts on this topic which has left me more confused then before I started. So I wanted to start up a live discussion on this overdone topic one more time.

The basic options I think I will go with are

26M blue with trailer (I will be keeping the boat on the trailer)
Jib
Cruising Spinnaker
Sunshade
Swim ladder
All lines led aft

Should I go with the Genoa rather then the Jib?

Engine is unknown. I am leaning toward a 70-75 hp but a little concerned about the extra 100lb of weight and how it will effect sailing.

GPS/Chart plotter/depth sounder. Any reviews would be great.

Pete

[Currie]

Congratulations Pete! Sounds like a great boat. I'm sure many will chime in.

I have a hanked 105% jib. So far I like it - but my '04 is new to me - so I haven't sailed it as much as I like. Many love the genny and report that it's a must for lighter-wind sailing. OTOH - the genny can easily overpower a mac as winds pick up. Also, the sheeting arrangement is typically outside the shrouds giving an advantage to the smaller jib when pointing up (unless you lead them between the shrouds). May I suggest that, if you go with a genny, you consider roller-furling and a rope-luff in the sail. That way you can furl a partial sail as the wind picks up, and it will help preserve the sail when furled/stored as well.

Other than that - here are a few other options that I like on mine (set up by Bill @ Boats for Sail for previous owner)...

The main sheet was upgraded to harken blocks and the original factory sheet setup became a vang.

Topping lift (probably a Boomkicker in my future)

Mainsail slugs.

Hmmm - I'm sure there's more - but that's all I can think of at the moment (that you haven't already listed).

Best of luck!

~Bob

[johnnyonspot]

If your lines are going to be led aft, you will absolutely need either slugs for the mainsail, or boltrope fairlead. I highly recommend the slugs, and they may be part of the lines led aft option. This should be confirmed, otherwise having lines led aft but no slugs will result in your having to go up to the mast when raising the sail anyway, defeating the purpose of the lines led aft. If slugs are installed, ask what sort of set up it is. Will they have grommets or will be the type of slugs with the screws that go through the sail immediately behind the boltrope? If they are the latter, and getting the slugs installed costs much more than $25 or so, I would just do it myself, as it can be done for around $20 and an hour or less of your time; it is very easy. Also, when they install the hardware, e.g., deck organizer, clutches for halyards, how do they seal the through-bolts? This may not be a major issue if your deck is not wood-cored, but the best approach is to cut our a hole where the bolts would go through and patch it with 100% epoxy resin to avoid water infiltration of the deck which would eventually lead to delamination, i.e., expensive problem to fix.

[parrothead]

Pete,
A blue is a great choice [my biased opinion], and this board is an excellent source of information and insight.

The decision of jib vs. genoa turns on the normal wind velocity in your area. I have the jib + the cruising spinnaker, and that's a good combination on the northern Chesapeake Bay, where the winds are frequently either too high or too low for the genoa.

If you are getting a bimini [sunshade], consider my aftermarket mod suggestion http://macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin/mod ... record=681 as it is both larger and less expensive than the MacGregor option.

If you are running the main halyard aft [a good idea], definitely have slugs installed on the main, and use this approach to securing the halyard http://macgregorsailors.com/cgi-bin/mod ... record=955 so that you don't compromise the advantage of the roating mast. I'm sure the dealer would install it for you, but its a very easy DIY.

Doug

[James V]

Blue will scratch more than a white hull

Cruising spinnaker. I just use the motor

Go with the genoa

Garmin make a new 440x with MX weather. Nice option.

Faster more means a wet and rough ride in any waves as well as more fuel used. Your choice.

All else is about your choice.

[Andy26M]

Congratz on the new purchase!!

If you are going to keep the boat in a slip where it will have fenders over the side a lot of the time, carefully consider the blue hull - lots of folks have reported that the blue chafes easily and is then very hard to keep looking good. If your boat will always be on the trailer or on a mooring ball, this is less of a concern. My own personal observation, also, is that my white-hulled M stays significantly cooler inside on a sunny day.

If your regular sailing area has mostly light-to-medium winds (0-10 knots) then you probably want the genoa, but if you are mostly in 10+ knot winds, then stick with the regular jib. Also, regardless of wind speeds, if you expect to do a lot of upwind sailing, you'll be able to point higher with the jib.

- Andy

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

if i was buying a Mac M today, this is what I'd power with...

The "New" Honda 90 Vtec (or 70 w/out Vtec)



weighs less than a Suzi 60/70 and is a true 4-stroke w/ 3-star emission rating.

Bob T.
"DāBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI (14" x 11 pitch)
Dinghy Motor: '06 2.5-Suzuki

[Russ]

Okay, perfect thread for me too.
We've been eyeing the Mac M for some time and have finally decided we're going for one.
Any advice on purchasing a new Mac is appreciated.

[Russ]

Blue Water Yachts in Seattle is probably the closest dealer and they seem knowledgable. Any experience with them?

We will probably keep it in a slip (fresh water) and trailer it back and forth each season or to another location that we might want to explore. We have a 2004 Toyota Sienna that we tow our current 17' boat with and I'm thinking we will need something beefier for the 100 mile trip back and forth to the lake. So a new truck is probably in the purchase order as well.

[Russ]

Some questions

We might stay overnight on weekends, but long cruising isn't in the plan. It's me and my wife and our 8 year old son. Any cabin options that are recommended.

Swim Ladder Is this worth it. We'd like to swim of the boat.

Bimini Getting out of the sun is a must, but is there a preferred style, manufacturer.

Knotmeter I've sailed larger boats with through hull impellers. Is there a better alternative or combo unit that works well on the Mac and it's higher speeds.

The Lake we enjoy is large 30 miles long, but man made and doesn't have many soft beaches. We like to picknic and explore the shores and islands which is why the Mac is appealing, it can be beached. Are there any considerations or options to keep the hull protected from pebble beaches and rocks.

Oh yea, how many people can sit comfortablly in the cockpit and on the boat. We'd like to invide friends onboard, but don't want to overload it.

Sorry for all the questions, but we have to drive 1,000 miles to buy one and want to get it right the first time.

[Russ]

Motor One of the appeals of the Mac is it can go fast and get out of the weather when it wants to. That Honda looks nice. What motor would you recomend.

HullThe blue looks nice, but I'm really concerned about keeping it nice.

Rigging What rigging options are preferred. I'd like to stay off the bow when it's rough.

[Russ]

Roller Standard headsail or the 150. Wind is usually light but I would hate to overload in heavy wind. The boat seems light.

Sorry for the multiple posts. The forum thinks I'm spamming and wouldn't let me put them in one.

[parrothead]

Lots of questions, Russ!

Regarding a Knotmeter, I wear a Garmin Forerunner - a great little rechargable wrist GPS unit that I had originally purchased when we were doing some distance walking. It displays time of day, but I have that set in a small font -- the primary display being speed in mph. It's great for providing instant feedback on trim adjustment - no matter where I am on the boat. It also displays distance travelled, average speed [pace], top speed, etc. - and draws a little map of our route.

On the upper Chesapeake Bay in Maryland we're never out of sight of land, but on Biscayne Bay in Florida I've used the Forerunner's trail mapping feature to find my way back to our launch site when we were too far out for visual identification.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Russ - definately get a swim ladder. Youll know why after having the boat a while and trying to get aboard when its on the trailer or if youre out for a swim. When you tow water toys and folks, and its time to retrieve everything is simple with the throw line and the ladder.

Another must is a Pier Hook -- it'll keep scratches off your boat, and other boats when youre trying to tie up in tight conditions. A Bimini (sunshade) is worth it for comfort.

Macs are a great choice for nice family fun.

Welcome aboard Pete & Russ

[Pete]

I guess the biggest thing I am still up in the air about is the motor. I have been looking at everything in the 50-90 hp range. To me weight is the biggest downfall of larger motors. Am I over worried about the extra 100-150 lbs a 75 or 90 hp motor would add. Will I loose to much sailing performance by adding the extra weight of the bigger motor.

E-Tec 40, 50, 60 = 240LBS
Honda 75 = 365 Lbs
Yahama 50, 60 = 237 Lbs
Yahama 75, 90 = 369 Lbs

Pete