UK forum
-
simon.whelan
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:13 am
-
simon.whelan
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:13 am
UK forum
I'm interested in contacting owners of a Mac 26 in the United Kingdom. I'm thinking of getting one but would really like to chat to owners first. While I'm about it...what is the fuel consumption like with the 50 hp engine at slow/fast speeds??
-
Frank C
There are several Mac owners on this forum from the UK, and I'm sure you'll hear some feedback.
Regarding fuel economy on the 50s, it varies significantly between the 2-strokes (more consumption) and the 4-stokes (more efficient), though the latest 2-stroke designs purported get nearly as good economy. A very rough approximation is 3 miles per gallon to 7 mpg, calculating from the "gallon" we buy here in the States.
Finally, fuel economy is not a terribly effective way to judge the cost and benefits of a Mac with a 50hp motor. You use it or not, depending upon your surroundings and preferences. In the arena where you are required to use it due to conditions or safety, there's no substitute. If you're not in such conditions, then it becomes a 100% discretionary choice to spend on fuel, or completely avoid it.
Hope that helps ... I think you need not be too concerned about deciding to buy a Mac. If the concept appeals at first, you'll no doubt enjoy it more than you even expected.
Regarding fuel economy on the 50s, it varies significantly between the 2-strokes (more consumption) and the 4-stokes (more efficient), though the latest 2-stroke designs purported get nearly as good economy. A very rough approximation is 3 miles per gallon to 7 mpg, calculating from the "gallon" we buy here in the States.
Finally, fuel economy is not a terribly effective way to judge the cost and benefits of a Mac with a 50hp motor. You use it or not, depending upon your surroundings and preferences. In the arena where you are required to use it due to conditions or safety, there's no substitute. If you're not in such conditions, then it becomes a 100% discretionary choice to spend on fuel, or completely avoid it.
Hope that helps ... I think you need not be too concerned about deciding to buy a Mac. If the concept appeals at first, you'll no doubt enjoy it more than you even expected.
-
Max
- Engineer
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:34 pm
- Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, Gt Britain
Hi Simon..I'm a UK Mac owner! Live in Bewdley, Worcs. on River Severn, near Worcester. My Mac26X is moored at Stourport, but is trailed to Brixham and Plymouth. This US based forum is brilliant by the way!! There are some really knowledgeable and friendly folks on here. I've learnt loads..in fact I've printed off lots of info and keep it all on board in a folder!
Send me an email via the 'profile' unless our US friends want to tune in to our British exchanges - in which case leave it as a thread!
I used to run a V8 gas guzzling sports cruiser at 24mpg per hour..so a 50hp 2 stroke Tohatsu on my Mac is like heaven!!!
I've been delighted with the boat. Its biggest advantage for me is its ease of trailerability - after towing the 2.8 tonne gas guzzler!
It does nothing brilliantly, but does everything reasonably! ie it's not the best sail boat around, nor the best sports cruiser - but it enables me to sail and motor reasonably well. In fact an experienced yachtmaster friend of mine couldn't believe how she performed on a reach and a run at Torquay recently. He was surprised how balanced she was after reading negative comments from purists. She does have limitations in terms of bad weather, but who the hull wants to go sailing in bad weather? An article in PBO June 2003 has a Mac special. If you can't get hold of a copy, let me know and I'll photocopy the article for you.
Probably above all is its safety in terms of its unsinkability - very reassuring.
I suppose if I had the money to permanently moor a bilge keeler in a UK marina then I'd probably plump for a Westerley. There agian, for the time I have, you'd sail the same bit of sea. The Mac is so versatile.
Regards
Max
Send me an email via the 'profile' unless our US friends want to tune in to our British exchanges - in which case leave it as a thread!
I used to run a V8 gas guzzling sports cruiser at 24mpg per hour..so a 50hp 2 stroke Tohatsu on my Mac is like heaven!!!
I've been delighted with the boat. Its biggest advantage for me is its ease of trailerability - after towing the 2.8 tonne gas guzzler!
It does nothing brilliantly, but does everything reasonably! ie it's not the best sail boat around, nor the best sports cruiser - but it enables me to sail and motor reasonably well. In fact an experienced yachtmaster friend of mine couldn't believe how she performed on a reach and a run at Torquay recently. He was surprised how balanced she was after reading negative comments from purists. She does have limitations in terms of bad weather, but who the hull wants to go sailing in bad weather? An article in PBO June 2003 has a Mac special. If you can't get hold of a copy, let me know and I'll photocopy the article for you.
Probably above all is its safety in terms of its unsinkability - very reassuring.
I suppose if I had the money to permanently moor a bilge keeler in a UK marina then I'd probably plump for a Westerley. There agian, for the time I have, you'd sail the same bit of sea. The Mac is so versatile.
Regards
Max
-
simon.whelan
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:13 am
uk forum
Max,
Thanks for the information. I'll try to get that article. I'm very interested in talking to other mac 26 owners in the uk. Are there mamy around? I saw the boat at the Southampton Boat show last week and was very impressed. Concerned though at stability in weather over force 3?? Is it stable? Also the trailer that the boat comes with in the UK is much higher. Do you have problems launching?? Finally what do you use to tow with. I'm based in London by the way but would sail in the Solent.
Look forward to the reply.
Simon
Thanks for the information. I'll try to get that article. I'm very interested in talking to other mac 26 owners in the uk. Are there mamy around? I saw the boat at the Southampton Boat show last week and was very impressed. Concerned though at stability in weather over force 3?? Is it stable? Also the trailer that the boat comes with in the UK is much higher. Do you have problems launching?? Finally what do you use to tow with. I'm based in London by the way but would sail in the Solent.
Look forward to the reply.
Simon
-
Frank C
Simon,
I thought you might get hailed by Max. Another guy, Roger Reading, sailed on the Solent, but recently sold his '96 Mac. For the short-term only, his website is still available. You may wish to check it out, or try reaching Roger - he was Mac-knowledgeble, as you'll discern from his website, linked here.
I thought you might get hailed by Max. Another guy, Roger Reading, sailed on the Solent, but recently sold his '96 Mac. For the short-term only, his website is still available. You may wish to check it out, or try reaching Roger - he was Mac-knowledgeble, as you'll discern from his website, linked here.
Simon....Your Brit mag Practical Boat Owner (to which I am a happy subscriber) has had several articles in the last year or so, directed to the 26X and 2 26X cruises (Land's End to the Scillies and cross-Channel to French canal system/Bay of Biscay to Spain's east coast).
PBO's parent website is www.ybw.com. I suspect you can track down the articles there, but if not then ask and I will try to find issue date.
Ron
PBO's parent website is www.ybw.com. I suspect you can track down the articles there, but if not then ask and I will try to find issue date.
Ron
-
simon.whelan
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:13 am
uk forum
Frank,
Thanks for that. I've got some good info from that site. Pleased to hear from any other uk owners.
Simon
Thanks for that. I've got some good info from that site. Pleased to hear from any other uk owners.
Simon
-
MarkStanton
- Just Enlisted
- Posts: 19
- Joined: Fri Apr 16, 2004 12:01 pm
- Location: Maidenhead - UK - Bidelphis 26X
UK Macgregor Owners Association
Simon,
There is in fact a UK Macgregors Owners Association.
They publish a magazine, meet up for Rallys and have loads of experts in all matters Mac (X C and M) in the UK.
There is a small joining fee but well worth it for anyone who owns a Mac in the UK.
Unfortunately they have been rather slow in getting on the web. They spend too much time on their boats is I think the excuse so there is no web presence properly. But if you join and fancy the task .... !
The best contact is probably the Commodore Jeremy Coles who you can get at (Jeremypcoles(at)hotmaildotcom) but as he is busy cruising Spain in his Mac (he took it through the French canals) you may find the Secretary Morris Rooms (morris.rooms(at)ntlworlddotcom) more available
(Jeremy is the guy in PBO who ronacarme referred to)
The Rallys are great fun and they are a really helpful bunch.
This year they went to Holland - I only made the Solent Rally.
They also maintain a list of used Mac for sale that they know of.
As for me I have an X which we keep on a trailor (Mainly in Maidenhead Berks) and have launched at Chichester, Hythe (Southampton) and Salcombe (Devon) and Windsor.
I have cruised from Brighton to Poole and right through the Solent extensively, taken her cross channel to Cherbourg and cruised the Channel Islands as far as Jersey and the West Country from Dartmouth to Plymouth. And not to mention up the River Thames from Hampton Court to Oxford (no mast cruising only!)
And this is only my 2nd Seasoon !
Great fun - great boat and excellent "bang for your buck"
Happy to talk to PM me and I will give you a phone number for a "real" chat.
Enjoy, and buy a Mac !
Mark
There is in fact a UK Macgregors Owners Association.
They publish a magazine, meet up for Rallys and have loads of experts in all matters Mac (X C and M) in the UK.
There is a small joining fee but well worth it for anyone who owns a Mac in the UK.
Unfortunately they have been rather slow in getting on the web. They spend too much time on their boats is I think the excuse so there is no web presence properly. But if you join and fancy the task .... !
The best contact is probably the Commodore Jeremy Coles who you can get at (Jeremypcoles(at)hotmaildotcom) but as he is busy cruising Spain in his Mac (he took it through the French canals) you may find the Secretary Morris Rooms (morris.rooms(at)ntlworlddotcom) more available
(Jeremy is the guy in PBO who ronacarme referred to)
The Rallys are great fun and they are a really helpful bunch.
This year they went to Holland - I only made the Solent Rally.
They also maintain a list of used Mac for sale that they know of.
As for me I have an X which we keep on a trailor (Mainly in Maidenhead Berks) and have launched at Chichester, Hythe (Southampton) and Salcombe (Devon) and Windsor.
I have cruised from Brighton to Poole and right through the Solent extensively, taken her cross channel to Cherbourg and cruised the Channel Islands as far as Jersey and the West Country from Dartmouth to Plymouth. And not to mention up the River Thames from Hampton Court to Oxford (no mast cruising only!)
And this is only my 2nd Seasoon !
Great fun - great boat and excellent "bang for your buck"
Happy to talk to PM me and I will give you a phone number for a "real" chat.
Enjoy, and buy a Mac !
Mark
Last edited by MarkStanton on Thu Sep 16, 2004 1:14 am, edited 2 times in total.
-
simon.whelan
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:13 am
uk forum
Mark,
Thanks for the info. What vehicle do you use to tow? You can reach me on simon dot whelan at freezone dot co dot uk if you wish.
Cheers
Simon
Thanks for the info. What vehicle do you use to tow? You can reach me on simon dot whelan at freezone dot co dot uk if you wish.
Cheers
Simon
Last edited by simon.whelan on Thu Sep 16, 2004 3:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
Frank C
Mark & Simon,
Just a word of caution to you both ... it is always a good idea to mask any email addresses you post on an open forum like this one. The SPAMMERS have robots that crawl through the web and capture email addresses to add to their SPAM mailing lists. You can easily mask your address by changing it to show something like this ...
simon at wherever dot com.
You also gain good protection by simply posting your own address in your forum profile. It is hidden under an "EM" button until somebody chooses to contact you.
You can go back and change your posts in this thread. Look for the "edit" button at top of your posting.
Just a word of caution to you both ... it is always a good idea to mask any email addresses you post on an open forum like this one. The SPAMMERS have robots that crawl through the web and capture email addresses to add to their SPAM mailing lists. You can easily mask your address by changing it to show something like this ...
simon at wherever dot com.
You also gain good protection by simply posting your own address in your forum profile. It is hidden under an "EM" button until somebody chooses to contact you.
You can go back and change your posts in this thread. Look for the "edit" button at top of your posting.
-
Max
- Engineer
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:34 pm
- Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, Gt Britain
Simon,
I tow with a Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun). Used to tow with Discovery...but as much as I hate to admit it, the Pajero is a better tow car as it's longer, auto transmission and has suspension stiffening electrics. Downside is the 17-19mpg when towing (2.8 Turbo/intercooler) as opposed to the 28-30 I got from the Disco.
No probs launching....I have the US trailer which I keep regularly waxoyled. Also fitted a brake flush kit from States, which allows you to flush the brakes through with fresh water after a sea water dunking. Much prefer a 2 wheeled trailer too. FAR easier to manouever / reverse / man-handle. I learnt a technique from the lads in the US...'the Mac bump'. You won't winch the Mac right up to the 'v' stop on the trailer, but you will slide it up to it if when on the trailer, you drive a short way then jab the brakes on and the Mac will slide the trest of the way!!
As for stability....we've been out in a F5, gusting to F6 in squalls in and around Torbay. Providing you're suitably reefed and water ballasted - no problem. If ours heeled excessively - we just eased the main sheet and up she came. The main thing is REEF before the **** hits the fan!!
Regards
Max
I tow with a Mitsubishi Pajero (Shogun). Used to tow with Discovery...but as much as I hate to admit it, the Pajero is a better tow car as it's longer, auto transmission and has suspension stiffening electrics. Downside is the 17-19mpg when towing (2.8 Turbo/intercooler) as opposed to the 28-30 I got from the Disco.
No probs launching....I have the US trailer which I keep regularly waxoyled. Also fitted a brake flush kit from States, which allows you to flush the brakes through with fresh water after a sea water dunking. Much prefer a 2 wheeled trailer too. FAR easier to manouever / reverse / man-handle. I learnt a technique from the lads in the US...'the Mac bump'. You won't winch the Mac right up to the 'v' stop on the trailer, but you will slide it up to it if when on the trailer, you drive a short way then jab the brakes on and the Mac will slide the trest of the way!!
As for stability....we've been out in a F5, gusting to F6 in squalls in and around Torbay. Providing you're suitably reefed and water ballasted - no problem. If ours heeled excessively - we just eased the main sheet and up she came. The main thing is REEF before the **** hits the fan!!
Regards
Max
-
simon.whelan
- Posts: 7
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:13 am
uk forum
Max,
Thanks for the comments. You say you use a US trailor. I thought they were are illegal to use here?? Is that right?
Rgds,
Simon
Thanks for the comments. You say you use a US trailor. I thought they were are illegal to use here?? Is that right?
Rgds,
Simon
-
Max
- Engineer
- Posts: 103
- Joined: Thu Feb 12, 2004 12:34 pm
- Location: Bewdley, Worcestershire, Gt Britain
Simon,
errrr... I bloody well hope not!! Is it the width that's the problem, compared to the width of the car??
Anybody out there know? If it is illegal, I'm knackered!!
Is it because the early Mac trailers were brakeless???
Help.
Max
PS I could plead ignorant..which I am (or rather was) until Simon sowed a seed of doubt.....
errrr... I bloody well hope not!! Is it the width that's the problem, compared to the width of the car??
Anybody out there know? If it is illegal, I'm knackered!!
Is it because the early Mac trailers were brakeless???
Help.
Max
PS I could plead ignorant..which I am (or rather was) until Simon sowed a seed of doubt.....