Mac26X/M suitability for sailing in Adelaide area

[Rumsail]

Hi all,

Am a new arrival to Adelaide area from UK and looking to buy a trailer sailer to sail with the family (wife + 2 small kids).
We are relatively experienced sailors from cruising and racing keel boats before the kids arrived, but have no experience in the trailering game.

I am after a boat that ultimately I can safely sail around the coast in the Gulf of St Vincent, Spencer Gulf, and northern Kangaroos Island. This would include crossings of the Gulfs in reasonable weather conditions.

I have read quite a lot about the Mac 26X/M and it is one of the options I am looking into. However, I could do with some advice regarding the suitability of the Mac for this kind of sailing in comparison to other trailer sailers of similar size like the Farr 7500 and Noelex 25 for example.

I am open to any advice/opinions. Perhaps I am asking too much for a trailerable design given the lumpy seas we apparently get round here.

Anyway, any advice welcome

cheers

[Mac26Mpaul]

From what I'v read, it doesnt sound like the most fun place for a trailer sailer. Do yourself a favour. Move to QLD and buy an M or X and you will be in heavon

[Rumsail]

I get the feeling that the Mac might not be ideal for the conditions here in the Gulf.

Fair point about QLD, but I prefer the dry heat. . .Although the Whitsundays are a must!

Cheers

[cruiser]

I haven't sailed out of Adelaide, although I did live there for a year many years ago. Kangaroo Island is one of Australia's best kept secrets, however I imagine the stretch of water across to there could get challenging at times.

My suggestion would be to contact the Trailer Sailer Club of S.A. and have a yarn with some of the boat owners there to see what they think. Here is the link: http://www.sa.yachting.org.au/db/cl_dis ... es/10324/0

[Cato]

Hey Cruiser.
Well Im an experienced YachtMaster Instructor and a commercial Master 5.
I did a lot of trailer Sailing in Adelaide as a kid in Austral's from Outer Harbour to BSYC, across to Port Vincent and down through Troubridge LIght.

Tricky short chop when the SW blows.
As a big boat Racer and Cruiser owner, I now find myself the owner of a 2003 26M.
we are cruising around Fraser Island.

I think these are a great combination of cruiser. She sails easily and reminds me a lot like the Beneteau's we sailed in Syd.
Love the Water Ballast reminds me of the Richel/Pugh's design before canting Keels.

I sail with my WIfe and daughter (she's 9) and we have a ball.

at the end of the day, there are horses for courses, I think the 26M like the Nolex, the Farr and the Binks the Dunky''s the Australs are all good sea boats.
however its not the boat .. its the seamanship that makes for good sailing and sea survival in the event of incidents. Good planning of where you're going to hide when the weather turns in on you.
Pick your days.. go in company... there used to be a Pt Vincent Race about easter time each year.. see if its still on.. and enjoy a ride across.

anyway.. before you take on the big adventure to KI.... just learn to rock hop... do some traliering down to Cape Jervis and maybe put her in there and slip across the passage for a weekend.

be safe, do a passage plan.. log on with VMR... and enjoy
Paul & Karen

[Mac26Mpaul]

Rumsail didnt get much of a response here and so asked over at TSplace and of course got some of the usual nonsense from the would be Macgregor experts. He ended up buying a Farr 7500 and good for him as they are nice old boats, not quite a Mac, but nice all the same