MacGregorSailors.com

Moe wrote:Definitely doable at a mooring, but I'd prefer one with water taxi service.

Moe makes very good points about supplies & electricity for a mooring. But there's an equally important, sometimes overlooked issue when mooring. The boat undergoes constant motion.

Consider that when dry-stored, a boat's movement is nil.
Consider that in a slip, the boat's movements are well-damped by surrounding vessels and structure. Also, the boat is well-snubbed to dock cleats, helping to damp the constant motions.

A mooring is fully exposed to wind and waves ... always!
The poor, moored boat is "working" 24/7/365. It never rests. It's not quite the strain of sailing full-time, but the Mac's rigging will demand constant, close attention to avoid failure. REmember, it's lightly built from the word 'go.'

WADR, find a slip, or a ramp, or a different boat. I'd avoid a mooring at all costs.

The is a fantastic boat and will do what you need at a reasonable price. The is also a fantastic boat and will also do the job but cost you a little more.

"You pays ya money you takes the choice."

Ian,

I live in Sydney and recently bought a 2000 model X. Very, Very Happy. My wife and I often stay overnight in Refuge Bay and Americas Bay, at the mouth of the Hawkesbury. Surrounded on three sides by high cliffs. Very peaceful with better protection than Pittwater and can recommend them. Woke up one Sunday morning recently and a new M was cruising by, without its mast, family on board, checking us out. Pity they didn't stop.

Moe's advise is well worth a second read, especially "sailing at anchor" links.

The previous owner of my boat had stripped it bare and I've had a lot of fun installing ALL the basics and a bit more. Still a long way to go though.
The ideas and assistance on this forum are fantastic.

Haven't done the sail down to Sydney Harbour yet, but looking forward to it. Don't need to of course but just for the fun of it.

You'll find many a discussion on X -v- M. It's the same as Holden -v- Ford. (That's GM -v- Ford, for you yanks). It's your money so it's your choice. I think there's good and not so good in both. My budget didn't go to a new M, so I bought the X, and very happy.

Good luck.

Crackles

While Frank makes a valid point about a slip versus a mooring, I'd really not want to overnight in a marina slip, especially at some marinas. Not a lot of privacy and quiet. The mooring's a little better for that, but you still have wakes and some noise to contend with. Whether in a slip or on a mooring, I'd prefer to leave and spend those 3 days anchoring out in a quieter, more private area. We really enjoyed our nights on the hook.

I see I didn't make my point very well. I completely agree with Moe about USING the boat. When staying aboard, I will always choose anchoring (or mooring) rather than a slip, for seclusion and privacy (plus her motion pleases when her sailing about is controlled). Even so, I'd choose anchoring seclusion rather than a densely packed mooring field, and the mooring fields I've come across are usually much less sheltered than the coves I've found for anchoring.

I understood the OP's question was about suitability of a Mac for being permanently moored. The Mac might be nearly the worst choice among boats for a permanent mooring, IMO, due to her very light rigging. This designer's emphasis was ease of trailering, not a robust rig, and not designed for constant the whipping she will suffer on a mooring.
Caveat emptor, methinks.

Did I say something wrong.

Refuge Bay and Americas Bay, are two very sheltered bays in a national park, with not a marina in site. Permanent and casual moorings, which have access to the ocean as well as some very large river systems and bays. Taylor made for a Mac.

Marina's and services are available nearby if needed.

Sounds like a place I'd permanently moor a Mac. Do those services include a water taxi?

Water taxi's, and they're even yellow.

Here is a possible solution to the "sailing" while moored.



Notice how similar it is to the "bridle" method. Slightly off center and aft of the bow.

I think Dolly is really Dali as in Salvador Dali. The above pic suggests Dali's work.


Bill S.