G'day,
I'm only new to the MacGregor scene but have been sailing/racing for many years. I have done a couple of races in my boat and have had pretty poor results to date , however can think of a large number of modifications that I could make to the boat to get it moving a lot faster. Problem is that I want to be able to compete against my fellow 26m's on an equal footing.
Is there a standard layout for racing a 26M?
For example: the mainsail to be made out of Dacron material and only have a single full length batten of X length, with the sail to have a certain set of dimensions.
brianhar wrote:G'day,
I'm only new to the MacGregor scene but have been sailing/racing for many years. .... I want to be able to compete against my fellow 26m's on an equal footing....Is there a standard layout for racing a 26M?...Any assistance would be great.
Maybe out on the West Coast they have enough racing experience to talk about standards, but here in the midwest, in spite of a respectable number of MACs, they do not seem to be able to determine a handicap for us. And I do not know of any type or class races that are held. Perhaps it is because the MACs qualities do not appeal to racers as much as to cruisers and weekenders. I guess the reason I am rambling is that I am getting back into racing reluctantly and am considering buying a sun fish or laser. There are boats that are fun to race and there are boats that are fun for other things. My MAC is an other thing sort of girl.
sorry as an after thought, you will get a lot of information if you search on PHRF rating - there is a thread going right now in the Venture discussion board.
I would assume that the standard racing layout would be motor down and running just below the threshold of hearing on an adjacent boat. In all fairness an experienced sailor can probably get a Mac (X or M) to a respectable showing, but I love the comment that a 26 ft boat with a dinette (and standing headroom) is contradictory to a racing boat
Trouts Dream wrote:I would assume that the standard racing layout would be motor down and running just below the threshold of hearing on an adjacent boat. In all fairness an experienced sailor can probably get a Mac (X or M) to a respectable showing, but I love the comment that a 26 ft boat with a dinette (and standing headroom) is contradictory to a racing boat
I haven't figured a good way to mask the pee stream yet, but I guess I could get black duct tape and use straws.
I have raced out of Rye yacht club for the passed 2 seasons and have improved tons I use to get beat by 2 laps now only being beaten by 1 lap. The race guru,s tell me it,s me not the boat
This is what I've learnt
Must run the spinnaker
Must run a jib
Must not let the boat stand up
Must keep it moving
Move the rudders as least as possable
Spend losts of time tuning the rig
Barge on the start line
Lift the dagger board on a run
Fit a cunningham
Fit a outhauler
Run the main loose footed
Have a well drilled crew (My crew are only good for making coffee)
Make sure the mast rotates in light wind
Learn to use the tide to your advantage
BigNige wrote:Well I have the well developed stomach but the muscles deserted me a while back.
Does anybody trapeze on a Mac - WOW!!!
Someone should post the link to those videos from last year - I remember high winds, full sails and the crew hiked out - I think it was SF bay sailing but I have a weak memory and I have to get back to work before I forget what I do for a living.
, however can think of a large number of modifications that I could make to the boat to get it moving a lot faster. Problem is that I want to be able to compete against my fellow 26m's on an equal footing.
