Have you ever had the itch to sell your 26M/X and buy a "true" sailboat?

[Be Free]

We were with friends sailing last year, right in front of the Windsor Riverfront (right down town by the Renaissance Centre) Cnd Coast guard insisted to at bare min moto-sail. We did challenge them they would not have it. Said it was too dangerous with all the commercial traffic.
We were off well towards the Canadian shore/side.


Never heard of this before. Never saw anything about NOT sailing...

Have sailed (years ago) OFTEN down the river. Maybe they were worried about the current (it gets strong around there at times..??)
Several people have had run ins.


AD

The Detroit River is only about 800m wide in that area (less than 0.5 mile). The ship channel takes up a lot of the middle portion leaving something less than 400m (1/4 mile) to tack while staying away from the ships which have to be there.

It's possible to sail there but it is not safe.

There are stretches of the St Johns river here in Florida that are between 1/2 and 1/4 the width of the Detroit River where you were. I've sailed those stretches hundreds of times but I'm tacking from shore to shore. The big difference is there is virtually no traffic at all on that part of the river.

Conversely, the stretch between Jacksonville and the Atlantic is about the same size most of the way but I'd never try to sail it. There is just too much commercial traffic for it to be safe. The multiple drawbridges don't make it any easier.

I think the Canadian Coast Guard made a wise decision.

Bill

[Ixneigh]

Late to the party, but no.
Almost all the stuff I want to see is near shore, or across miles of six foot deep water. Or across miles of 6 ft deep water and then miles more of waist deep water. The M is nearly perfect for me. All the boat I can handle myself, but spacious enough for months aboard. I love her. If I ever got another boat, and I’ve thought about it, it would be a sub 20 ft weekender, which I’d only take out for a week here and there.
I spent a lot of time optimizing my boat for sailing. I fixed the stuff that really bothered me like the off the wind antics.
Improved skinny water performance. Made stuff stronger when possible. Last sail I had before I pulled her out was just fantastic, mostly downwind in 25 knots, feather light helm.
They don’t make a “real sailboat” that can do what I need right now. If my needs change, then the boat must change. Of course.
Until then, you all are stuck with me.

Ix

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

There are few boats that turn our heads since we were adopted by Over Easy our 2001 Mac26X.
It is virtually the perfect boat for us, our budget, desires, travels and adventures (past-present-future) in a package that we can easily manage afloat, on land or when towing.

The one boat that did catch our attention recently was a Nimble Artic we saw advertised on YouTube.
If we were to ever considering going ‘afloat’ full time and going offshore further this would be one we’d consider…
Still manageable at 25 feet and trailerable with our Ford Transit Van it also utilizes an outboard for propulsion albeit in a fixed mount bracket. It is a unique boat unto itself with nice characteristics and features that would make it a fun vessel on which to travel and explore outer coastal, sounds, as well as Intracoastal waterways and larger lakes like Champlain, Lake George, the Great Lakes or more.



While attractive and enticing we’re very happy with our Mac26X and have no intention or interest in changing… although it has given me some more Mod ideas …..

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Ixneigh]

The nimble I looked at, did not have the room that the Mac x/m does. Not sure, it may have been the Kodiak 23 pilot, not this one. They are probably built a little better. But they wouldn’t be any better off shore or, what passes for offshore in such a small shallow draft boat. (In my opinion) . I’m down with motor sailing now in this kind of stuff. There just no way a light shallow boats going to weather well in snotty conditions I don’t care how well she’s put together.

Ramble ahead

I’ve drawn a few “what if I built this boat in a fit of sheer and shoot me dead insanity” type designs, and even built a 1/4 scale version which sails incredibly well. How would she sail if she was 26 ft? I’m betting pretty freaking fantastic, but she’s not going to be light. Or cheap. That’s the rub. She’ll be at least 5000lbs. No standing headroom. No planing, and have a much larger ballasted daggerboard. The boat would not be positively buoyant with her lead ballast. Oh. And full eight foot beam. That’s what it takes to be able to sail in offshore conditions. Or rather, carry enough sail to do it.
26 ft is a weird size anyway. Big enough to spend some time on, but not really big enough to cruise very far unless you’re a Tanya Abking diehard (of contessa 26 fame) but too big to be a fun little easy to handle sport boat like Tattoo Yachts 22 footer might have been.

Ix

[tuxonpup]

We only really considered two models when shopping last year, the 26X/M, and the Nimble 24. Really liked the yawl sail plan and shallow draft, interior headroom/space won out in the end: https://sailboatdata.com/listing/1989-n ... l-cruiser/

[OverEasy]

Hi All!

Here are the specifications for the Nimble Arctic 25:











As you can see the Nimble Arctic has an 8 ft beam and roughly the same length as a Mac26X/M but is in a yawl configuration with an enclosed pilot house setup which provides a sheltered piloting environment as well as additional head height. The enclosed fixed position outboard is located within the aft table structure but can still apparently tilt up.

It was the tabernacle and horizontal up high pivoting mast and the pilot house that caught our attention. It’s well laid out for two adults and has some nice features. It is trailerable and it’s tow weight is reasonable. It has a swing keel so draft in the keel up position is similar to a Mac26 X/M. The wider beam and hull shape would appear to make it a bit more of a stable vessel and have equal or slightly better sailing performance. It was never designed to plane but should motor along at 6 to 8 mph reasonably.

There are also some drawbacks such as price and there is a lot of woodwork to keep up with that come with their own logistics to contend with.

The boat was designed for the limited offshore environment. It’s not a ‘blue water’ boat but was designed for handling inclement conditions.

The layout is functional and well thought out with plenty of storage for extended cruising such as the ICW and the Great Loop. It would appear to be capable of traversing regions like the Great Lakes, Puget Sound within reasonable conditions one would expect for a 25 ft vessel.

While it is an interesting vessel we’re more than quite happy with our Mac26X and not really interested in changing.

Just a nice interesting boat that meets some of the aspects that drew us to purchasing our Mac26X.

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[dlandersson]

Nice observation. I've had a lot of people "invite" themselves to look at the interior of my 97X. Every one (esp. the ladies) have commented on how surprised they are by the roominess inside.

The nimble I looked at, did not have the room that the Mac x/m does.

Ix

[Cougar]

Since it's fairly on-topic for this thread, I'll put a link to the goodbye-message I posted in the front room this morning (well, it's morning in Europe )

viewtopic.php?t=30435

[Ixneigh]

The nimble has a larger than eight foot beam, also. Not an issue for me, but a big issue for those who trailer regularly. I’d have built my own boat before I’d spend that kind of money way on something that wasn’t perfect. Mac m is by no means perfect. Be she was an affordable imperfect.
Re: Southerly and other European small boats. Hahaha you guys over there have a lot more options that we in the states. I’ve seen several funky little English boats I really liked, and many more I’d downsize to such as the cape cutter 19.
Fair winds, Cougar!

Ix

[Outlander]

Wow! A lot of great feedback and stories, wasn't expecting it...thank you all!

Still digging my 26M, and have more appreciation for her now Lol. Still looking for that perfect small sailboat for evening sails, but in my search, came across a nice Catalina 250 wing keel for sale nearby. What a beauty! It's more of a traditional sailboat compared to the 26M, and its tempting, but after checking her out I'm not so sure she'd be would be worth "upgrading" to. It has headroom in the cabin, but the layout is not quite as nice as the 26M IMO. And although I don't travel anywhere to sail, that keel makes her sit really high on the trailer, not really a fan, especially if I would ever tow to another location for some reason. And what was a real shocker was looking online at the costs for replacement rigging, etc. The prices are substantially higher than what I've paid for similar items for my Mac!! That was a HUGE turn off, and I fear that if I decided to sell it after a season, it would take God knows how long.

All that aside, anyone even owned/sailed a Catalina 250 wing keel (not the water ballast version)?

[dlandersson]

My new dreamboat

[OverEasy]

How many gallons to the yard does that get?
Does it even have berths?
…. Never mind a galley or a loo?

[Be Free]

My new dreamboat

I don't know. I'm pretty sure even my can carry more sail than that one.

[Outlander]

Looks like God has decided for me Lol. My 26M was struck by lightning, while on her mooring. Out of 40 other sailboats, mine was the chosen one . The lightning struck the top of the mast, destroyed the entire electrical system, lighting, and all electronics. And then exited via the hull on both port and starboard, leaving six holes about 12” above the waterline. And as a parting gift, melted the plastic mirror behind the dinette bench. Needless to say, a total write-off. So I have narrowed down my search to a 2007 Hunter 25 or a 1998 Catalina 250 wing keel (both in great shape). Trailer-ability is not super important, and I can launch either of these with my F-150. I like the shoal keel of the Hunter, but the Catalina may offer more stability and has a roomier cabin. Does anyone have experience with either?

I also contemplated finding another Mac, but this is the perfect time to move to a “proper” sailboat.

[Russ]

Looks like God has decided for me Lol. My 26M was struck by lightning, while on her mooring. Out of 40 other sailboats, mine was the chosen one . The lightning struck the top of the mast, destroyed the entire electrical system, lighting, and all electronics. And then exited via the hull on both port and starboard, leaving six holes about 12” above the waterline. And as a parting gift, melted the plastic mirror behind the dinette bench. Needless to say, a total write-off. So I have narrowed down my search to a 2007 Hunter 25 or a 1998 Catalina 250 wing keel (both in great shape). Trailer-ability is not super important, and I can launch either of these with my F-150. I like the shoal keel of the Hunter, but the Catalina may offer more stability and has a roomier cabin. Does anyone have experience with either?

I also contemplated finding another Mac, but this is the perfect time to move to a “proper” sailboat.

Oh my. At least the holes were ABOVE the waterline, although I guess in the end that doesn't matter.