OZ members

[Mistral]

Hi Nick,
How were the Gippsland Lakes? You are just making me jealous.
Should have the new dagger board tomorrow and will install it this week. Pull the boat out for a great clean and doing some mods. Will try and get it back in the water by August, as there still could be some nice sailing in PPB that month.
September is out for us as we will be in the USA. Hopefully getting some sailing in too there, either in San Diego or the Lake of the Ozarks.

[Nick]

Hi Dirk, You really did make a mess of your daggerboard, didn't you?

In a word the Gippsland lakes were brilliant. We had two full days on the lakes in brilliant sunshine with not a cloud in the sky. We also had the lakes almost to ourselves. Monday started off calm and no wind so we motored around the Paynesville area. After making our morning cup of coffee we noticed a bit of breeze so put up the sails and headed for Metung. Wind picked up gradually till probably gusting to 15-20 knots so furled the jib and kept sailing. Hadn't got round to installing the main reefing system(did it the next morning as brought all the gear with us). Pottered around Metung then motored back at about 13-14 knots. Next day no wind so only motored to Sperm Whale Head and Ocean Grange. Glorious day. Pitied the sailing school who ended up being towed home. Played around with the new GPS. Determined top speed at 5100 RPM no ballast ,mast up, sails furled was 18 knots. Captains Cove where we stayed on the canals at Paynesville was great. The manager had just sailed a Catalina 32 up from Melbourne which he is going to hire out. All in all Julie and I had a great time and yes, you should be jealous.

Cheers Nick

[Mistral]

Nick,

Sounds like a great weekend. Winter sailing here can be great. Coldish, but steady winds, particularly on PPB. Before I got the boat I always was looking at the bay, wishing I was out there.

The boat should be fixed this week again. Might have to throw a "sickie" one day and take her out.

[TheDart]

I'm yet to get an M26, but am planning to buy a new one soon. My problem is that I have yet to seen either an M26 or X26 in the flesh as there aren't many in Western Australia. Is there anybody in the Perth area whom is happy to show me what an M26 looks like? If you are, please sent me a PS, and I'll reply with my contact details.

I live up north, and with a young family. I think the M26 would be great for cruising and 'camping' around the Dampier Archipelago, and even sailing to the Monty's in convoy.

Also keen to know how (if) the M26 handles the fremantle doctor in gauge roads. Especially with the wind behind you on a Sunday arvo. Bit worried about broaching. What angle to the wind (if any!) is best downwind over 15 knots? I'm used to racing, although my wife isn't, so my question is more about comfort level rather than performance. Happy wife = happy husband and more time on the water.

[Mistral]

Welcome TheDart,

Good to see another new OZ member. There are a few members based in Perth and I am sure they will be in contact with you. You'll find everybody very helpful here and some great stuff to read too. There are a few dealers in OZ if you are looking to buy a new one and also some people that bring in late model Mac's, so I am sure there will be something for you.

[Boblee]

Welcome Dart
There have been a few new Macs sold over there in the last couple of years but not too sure how many owners are on here, Puggsy might have a better idea.
Actually there is only one dealer here for new Macs, there are a few coming in as grey imports but they are for all intents and purposes S/H as they have no dealer backup or warranties on boat or equipment also any US dealer involved will lose his dealership.
That is not to say a good deal can't be had but looking at the dealers latest price list it would need to be a very good deal especially for those of you in the West as he is more inclined to let you buy a basic boat direct and fit it up at a much cheaper deal due to the freight costs of getting one from here to there.
There are some very cheap S/H boats by our standards in the US and there are a few importers bringing them in either for a fee or as ready to go boats, just be aware of all costs prior esp extra freight and customs etc.
Personally I would first contact Phillip King at synergy yachts [email protected] for a range of options and especially to see if there are any in your area to have a bo peep at.
You will not be dissapointed in the versatility of the boat unless you want it as a racer but then some on here still do that.
Bob

[Nautek]

Hi
I am a new MAC owner as of last weekend
I have purchased a 26X having upgraded from a smaller boat
I am 200 kilometers NW of Brisbane Queensland

Allan
Mac 26X "Macsea"

[davidbagnall]

Congrats on the boat!!

Good Idea asking TSP for some boat names. Maxsea is a great name

We sail a fair bit up at Lake Cootharaba which with a lovely shallow draft of a Mac goes quite well. The ramp at Boreen Point is easy enough for a mac. We often motor up to the everglades which is a great palce to overnight. Were do you drop your Bonito in the water?

Mate I am happy to help you with your first dunk if you wish.

Cheers
Dave

[Mistral]

Welcome aboard, Allan

Good to see the OZ membership increasing.
See that you have decided on "MACSEA". Cool name
Don't forget to come to the OZ get together, whenever we can organise it.
Dirk

[Nautek]

Hi Dave

Sail at Tin Can Bay in the Bonito and prior to that out of Mackay
The name took a lot of searching and help from the members at TSP however the Admiral finally made the choice

Allan

[davidbagnall]

Tin Can Bay is on my to do list. Where do you launch from?

Naming rights given to the admiril can be a dangerous thing. My Admiril called our boat "Mine Mine Mine" in honor of the seagulls in finding Nemo. Also she thought it would be a real laugh to hear me say over the radio "this is mine, mine, mine". Yes it gets laughs (from everyone except for me )

[Nautek]

Hi Dave

I launch from the ramp near the coast guard at Tin Can Bay wind is ok but tide run is a buggar there at times and difficult in northerlies
The ramp at Carlo Creek at Rainbow Beach is a steeper ramp but there is not a lot of water getting out of the creek at low tide unless you know the waters
Great cruising ground but you need insect mesh on the hatches for an overnight stay

Allan

[Halcyon]

G'day
I'm a bit late for this thread but, my X lives on Lake Macquarie and although I won't be around for any get-together in October this year, would love to meet and greet any other Macs on the Lake at any time. So will also keep an eye out in future.

This is a great forum and having read the previous entries on this thread, I would be sorry to see a seperate site established on another forum and I think Heath would be offended if we did, as I would be. It was after reading this forum that I was convinced that buying a Mac was the way to go and I'm pleased to see OZ Members stay here. That's my opinion anyway.

My admiral and I hope to join the Whitsunday flotilla next year if it is on.

[Oskar 26M]

I lost track of this thread while the main board was down, so this is a somewhat belated welcome to recently joined (or recently identified as) members from Oz: Halycon, TheDart and Nautek. I'll add you in to the list I've been keeping. That makes 64 and counting.

TheDart:

If you haven't yet seen a 26M or 26X in the flesh, you are welcome to look at my 26M. I keep it at Cockburn Powerboat Storage near Woodman's Point. There is also a 26X for sale in the storage yard so you could check both models out next time you are in Perth.

I've only had Oskar for six months and so far I have only sailed him in Cockburn Sound, so I cant answer your question about the Fremantle Doctor in Gauge Roads. Puggsy might be able to give a better idea - I think he takes Seahorse out there.

[Mistral]

Oskar 26M,

How many of the OZ members have given you their details?
I know CPT Haddock sails on the Gippsland Lakes on "Morning Cloud", was trying to think of some others, but it escapes me at the moment.