Daysailor or Cruiser?

[ALX357]

Maybe as a Mac 26 owner, I am too close to the boat to see its similarities M to X, but they now seem totally different to me, and not even similar enough to be usefully combined in the same discussion threads. See it happen all the time on here, an idea is presented that confuses the other family cause an X question or mod doesn't apply to the M, and vice-versa.
I am not really trying to be divisive, as it is clear that friendships cross the X/M lines at every turn, and all sailors have commonality, so i can forsee visiting the OTHER Mac family's threads for curiousity, and those issues that are M/X common, just as you can now visit "Mods" or "Performance",
BUT i think the M and the X should have independant discussion headings, for several reasons. Save time and possible confusion, keep the pertinent information better organized, and
MAINLY - to reduce the constantly recurring bloom of "X vs. M" stuff that attaches to almost every issue. A separate M thread would allow the M owner to ask and recieve pertinent info from other M owners, and not get the X noise. NOW i do see a good reason to keep the threads combined so that the pool of knowledge stays maximized, but let's think about the advantages of separating the M and the X threads before discarding the idea.

[philbrook]

Sorry to hear my M has such serious shortcomings. Guess all the enjoyment I get from it is false memories..Somehow I will live with my horrible mistake. Or maybe I should take comfort with the old adage:
"Opinions are like ***holes, everyone has one(and knows one)"
and enjoy my mistake..........

[James V]

Different people..... Well I am glad that we have our opinions or this would be a very dull forum. However, it is very clean. We buy a boat, make it into what we want. If that does not please us, we change it or get a different boat. So why all the fuss? I can always find somebody that likes what I do. I can always find somebody that dislikes. As long as what you are doing is safe and you are willing to admit that there could be a better way and willing for me to have my point of view, I'm OK with your input.

I would be interested to find out who has spent the longest number of days on a Mac 25 or 26.

[Frank C]

BUT i think the M and the X should have independant discussion headings, for several reasons. Save time and possible confusion, keep the pertinent information better organized, and MAINLY - to reduce the constantly recurring bloom of "X vs. M" stuff

Nah! Since it's not even possible to separate "performance" or "trailer" topics from the general forum, how could it possibly work to split M from X - waste of time! And for example ... a trailer, or brake, or axle - there's no difference. A Merc Bigfoot, or Suzi 70 - no difference. Same for anchor & chain, CDI furler, fiberglass repair, cabin heat, shroud repair, improved cushion foam, and discussion of widespread regions to cruise, or moor, or visit.

I skim those threads that are clearly M-related (like a question on mast rotation) because it's still relates to my hobby of boating. Sometimes I just skip 'em too. (Occasionally I see discussion of a problem I'm pleased NOT to have)! I don't comment when my experience doesn't relate, but there are very many similar problems, with similar solutions.

Is there too much PRO vs. CON debate on the two models? Nah .. that's simply not an issue for me, either. I'm happy to have EXACTLY what I have. I agree with some, disagree with others ... how's that different from ANY work, or play, or marital debate? Anyway, just another coupla' yen in the kitty

[SPC Paul]

Easy folks, we're all friends here, or at least we can pretend to be....

Besides, we all know the 26S is the best Mac ever made, anyway.

Jared

[aya16]

Wow
I leave for a couple days and boom. Ok Scott said it best when He and I talked about M X Thing a little. Scott said "There is no big reason for an X owner to buy a new M. If the new M was 2 feet longer you X guys would have an incentive to trade up". But There really isnt that much of a dif. Between the two boats. We all have the same boats with a little tweeking on the newer model. In other words we have a ford mustang the M would be the newer model with the fancy new tailights and larger tires with the back seat shorter to make more leg room in the front. You guys with the larger back seat like that better then the new improved model.....And the other thing would be An x guy doesnt want to be told his three year old boat is inferior to the new models after spending all that money. Dont worry X guys there isnt that big a diff. to run out and buy the M.

Moe all the things you mention are probably true about the M but I think what you miss is that we all adapt to what we have and if its not adaptable we change it. The M works good as well as I would think the X does. The big things that matter are the engine, trailerable, water ballast, and if the interior is usable, All of those things the X and M have in common. But add two feet to the M and story over diff. boat. And if macgregor did come out with a boat 28 feet that trailers and 90 hp motor we probably wouldnt let the new owners post here.

The M and the X are way to near each other to really make a big diff. Thats why all this comparison sounds like nit picking, Well it is because there isnt that much diff.
Now we all know that the M is much faster but we will talk about it some other day ok.

Mike

[Joe 26M Time Warp]

In the poll I had to vote #4, not that we've done many multiple nights - just one actually, but we love it once we're on the water so why not spend the night?
Moe is right however. When anchored off an island we always wish we had the hottub, a pool table, big screen TV, a fire place, and 50 or so of our best friends - the trouble is this boat is just too dang small.
I'm just kidding Moe.
Hey life is better with two M's in the drive.

[Divecoz]

In my post it was three months but in fact there was four months your right . Moe your the one who continues to stoop to cheap shots and name calling you've done it numerous times on numerous threads. Keep it up Im patient it'll all come around .

[BK]

James V, Earnest Guenther holds the record for the longest live-aboard in a Mac. He did a 46 day and a 48 day trip up in Alaska. Check out his trip in the Exploring section on this board. He lives in New Mexico and has joined us for a flotilla to the Channel Islands 2 years ago. I believe he is coming for this years flotilla to the Channel Islands. He also has sailed around Vancouver Island with another Mac sailer, George. George has sailed to Hawaii in a small boat and sailed around Vancouver Island twice.

[Divecoz]

and it was those that solidified my confidence that the Mac could well be the vehicle of choice for my next group, of personal Adventures. You have to respect a fellow willing to and able, to take on and accomplish such a feat. Though IMHO it looks mighty COLD up there . I am intending on a much more southerly/ warmer climate for my Adventures . There have been/are BTW numerous sites discussing crossings to the Bahamas that are posted on the net as well, and many have been in small boats such as ours. I am presently Chomping at the bit to get my parking situation rectified so I can bring WindWine&Song home. . . so I can continue the rest of her fitting.. Lots of toys and a few necessities as well
Richard Audrey and Pepita
Chicago/Cozumel

[Catigale]

A macho man may sea-trial an unknown, unproven boat and motor in 30-something degree water after the ice melts,

Nice Safety Note to you Great Lakes Sailors

Most of the Lakes are cold enough to kill you this time of year. When I sailed Erie from Cleveland to Buffalo a couple years back in May, we carried immersion suits for our crew of three.

The math is amazing - we were in a keel boat about 2 miles offshore, if we went into the drink we wouldnt have had a prayer of either getting to shore or getting rescued in that cold water. We had a dinghy too, but we were prepared to be in the water as a safety measure as well.

[philbrook]

Let the hissy fits end! It all boils down to choice. Get off your thrones and sail, or if the weather ain't right, work on the boat. Moe, you got the best boat for you, enjoy it and quit rippin the poor excuse of a boat, the M. I had a choice in new boats as one of the first M owners, (hull #22)
my dealer had a couple of Xs available but the M "talked" to the admiral and the rest is history. I have no remorse in buying the M. It works well for us and we love it. I have never bashed the X or it owners, but if certain X (and M owners) can't leave it alone I will weigh in with scathing wit and politically incorrect insults on the board and in PMs that will defy any pychcological abuse you have ever endured or nightmared about.
Please, GET OVER YOURSELFS, and let the board function as it should, as a friendly place for ALL Mac owners to exchange civil positive information for the Mac community. I hardly think the attacks on boats and their owners is what Heath had in mind for this site. If hate is what is in your hearts(and I am begining to wonder) find the extremist web site of choice and rail against the common enemey (The peoples popular front of Jeudea, splinters all).
Yours truly in Macness,

Phil

[Frank C]

WADR - comments are directed to no particular individual ...
Who cares if a sub-group chooses to bicker and banter?
Who's hurt by a few words in ether-space?
Why the pressure for peace & tranquility?
I like to read some good give 'n take, whichever side I may favor.

Seems akin to complaints about the vast wasteland of television - nobody is ever forced to watch it. If mud-wrestling offends, just change the channel!

If a thread gets too energetic for one's sensabilities, well that's why every thread has a title. Don't be a sheep --- just bypass it! There are always 6 to 12 active threads, find something less stressful! It's a non-issue.