Survey-MacGregor Hull stiffness

[Québec 1]

Hull Flex may 2008

http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii12 ... x_0001.mp4

Q1

[seahouse]

Fact is; nobody else makes anything that can do what a Macgregor does AT ANY PRICE.

Other fact is; many have tried!

And it still stands.

[iredrider1177]

[iredrider1177]

[1st Sail]

To sum up the Hull flex issue once and for all.

What you got their Clark is one of them there WRV's.
And the hull flex.... well now Clark that's another one of them marketing/sales features that Mac's are real big on.
The Hull flex is not hull flex at all. Clark...Clark now you look right up side this here hull...see that plastic twangin' like a kettle drum? That's what us Mackers' call DOCK ABSORBERS

wind blowing an' all.... Mac bounding and bouncing all over creation. I'm going in fins up, no contol, no air bags....Just my on board DOCK ABSORBERS. I just stear dead ahead, smack that ole dock and lasso me one of those posts. .... Just like on your car Clark! Get it. Why you can smack the crap out of them dock posts... and that Roger Mac guy he thought of ever'thin for us budet beginners' Even DOCK ABSORBERS!

You watchin' Clark? 'Cause I'm goin' around agin' This time put the beer down Clark and rope something...'cause we're out-a beer.................and the sh#$%tter is full up agin' ! No worries it'll springs back and wll look real sleek an' all. Just softens the impact...keeps the fillin's in your teeth.

Love ever inch of my Mac

[iredrider1177]

....

[iredrider1177]

[vizwhiz]

I originally read a couple of the posts on this thread and thought I'd watch it to see what happened...just read the whole thing front-to-back.

Truth is, the comments on page 2 adequately addressed the reason for all the flex - flex is required so it doesn't break. Ever watch an airliner's wings while you're taking off or landing (or hit turbulence)? They flex - a lot! I spent some time on a 33' Tiara Pursuit back in the 80's...and even that boat flexed...

There are two ways to react to the forces applied, one being to be stiff and strong enough to transfer all of the force to the supports, and the other is to flex, and absorb the forces via tension of the member itself...

Fiberglass is, by nature, a composite structure where the strength comes from the tension capacity of the glass fibers (thus the multiple strands, running in different directions, etc.) - it is SUPPOSED to flex. It has to flex to allow the tension to be held by the glass fibers...as a matter of fact, it will flex UNTIL the glass fibers are holding all of the load in tension.

Granted, someone pressing on the side of the hull and equating that with "stiffness" might think it to be inadequate. But, and I'd say the topic is misleading, flexibility of the wall of the hull itself really has nothing to do with "hull stiffness" anyway...think of the flexible wall as the springs and shock absorbers on your car - without the springs, it would be like riding in a wheelbarrow everywhere you went (you did that too when you were a kid, right?)...same thing goes for the walls of the boat hull...they absorb the forces and flex so the whole boat doesn't jar and vibrate with every ripple.

Raymond/Dnomyar (clever reversal there), just as a final comment, I was welcomed with open arms (complete with hairy armpits) as a total newb and as someone without a sailboat! If you look back at your original post, your profile info, etc., you didn't really introduce yourself, you don't have any info posted - it's like getting a phone call from someone you don't really know - the cool responses were, as the moderator noted, due to so many before you hitting-and-running...so please take a moment and add a little more detail to your profile, and introduce yourself...tell us a funny story...break the ice a little...if you owned a Mac, tell us why you sold it (or burned it, or traded it for a Harley), whether you miss it...etc.

[Dnomyar]

Hull Flex may 2008

http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii12 ... x_0001.mp4

Q1

Is that the inside liner you are flexing ? I am tempted to visit the local yacht storage, and do some real accurate measurements for fun. I dont think it proves or disproves anything - I just like to find out.

[Dnomyar]

.. and maybe you are man enough to apologise, someone without any provocation, makes such uncalled for and totally innacuate statements. Show me where I put any "#@#@" on Macs ?, show me where i have to log in every 24 hours ? Some of us have a life without having to build their egos with malicious posts.

Please note that I very specifically made a point of not calling you a troll...

(Note: I am NOT saying the present poster is a troll -- I suppose it's entirely possible he/she truly was a Mac owner

...but your actions did certainly fall into the annoying pattern we've seen here over and over and over again, and frankly we're all pretty tired of it - and moderators are particularly tired of it. Further, usually when someone posts a question they are interested enough check back pretty quickly to see if someone has answered their query... they don't usually wait 2 days.

Clearly in this case you were the rare exception of a first-time poster who posts a 'quality' issue without an intent to run down the Macs, and I apologise of you were offended.

Thank you for the acknowledgment. I will accept your comments in good faith.

[Just Nuisance]

Hi All
It's been a few months since I've posted anything here, I've been busy with work and family. It's amazing to me how opinions can incite so much passion. I like to think of myself as a student of life, with a very tolerant side. I have learned so much this following year as a "newbie" mac 26x owner,thanks mainly to this site, and good old trial and error. My family and I have been on two major vacations with our boat "Just Nuisance" this year. First we trailored it to Tobermory Ontario for a week and cruised around the islands, met some amazing people and experienced some life long memories.
Our second trip, was to Gananoque, Ontario. It lasted two weeks and included as I've been told, some of the best boating central Canada has to offer. Again, my admiral said it was the best vacation she has ever had. Islands to moor on, Great food to eat, and some of the best people Canada and the United States has to offer, even my dog Harley enjoyed it.
Which brings me to my point, Do I care about "hull stiffness" to the micro milli, sh~t no. Do I think Just Nuisance will get us home in 4-8 foot waters or more, sh~t yes.
There are many boats out there. But none that can be trailored and sailed with a 50hp or greater engine on the back. I do not care that a guy named Roger Macgregor built it. I accually wish someone else would build something similar with more cockpit space and an open stern, ( not an edge,my only beef).
I am thankfull however, That I could afford a boat that is efficient, well built for my purposes, and safe.
To those that care to argue hull stiffness. I think you should spend more time worrying about the state of your union first.

Regards
Mike
Just Nuisance

[Don T]

kmclemore,
Believe me I appreciate your efforts to control this board. I have no skills in IT issues.

I was simply stating I did not want to get involved.

Don T

[K9Kampers]

Hull Flex may 2008

http://s263.photobucket.com/albums/ii12 ... x_0001.mp4

Q1

Is that the inside liner you are flexing ? I am tempted to visit the local yacht storage, and do some real accurate measurements for fun. I dont think it proves or disproves anything - I just like to find out.

That was from the couple in the other boat rafted up alongside!

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Hi All
I have learned so much this following year as a "newbie" mac 26x owner,thanks mainly to this site, and good old trial and error. My family and I have been on two major vacations with our boat "Just Nuisance" this year.
Which brings me to my point, Do I care about "hull stiffness" to the micro milli, sh~t no. Do I think Just Nuisance will get us home in 4-8 foot waters or more, sh~t yes.
I do not care that a guy named Roger Macgregor built it.
I am thankfull however, That I could afford a boat that is efficient, well built for my purposes, and safe.

Regards
Mike
Just Nuisance

Mike, and Crew of "The Nuisance"
Salute ! My sentiments likewise.
No question about it all >>> Fine boat, good forum site for learning about MacGregor Boats, and your post sentiments sound as though you enjoy your Mac just about as much as our CREW and most CREWs herein'.

Happy safe Sailing...

[Québec 1]

What you see are the fenders pushing against the center of the port side of the hull, as the wind pushed the boat on to the jetty as I was temporarily docked and awaiting a wee break in the wind to retrieve my boat for the first time .
Q1

p.s. The wind did not die down and my first retrieval was attempted with the daggerboard down