Are These Boats Suitable for Bluewater Cruising?

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Yes, I would agree that a GPS track is going to be much more accurate. A compass heading (bearing) is which way the boat is pointed and does not take into account any leeway. As for the actual amount though, that is going to vary based on the conditions. Current can make a pretty big difference. Btw, what the Mac loses in pointing, it can make up in running since you can pull up the CB and use the sideslip (leeway) to your advantage. A fixed keelboat has no option but to keep gybing.

[marsanden]

You'll be fortunate indeed to be able to tack an X through anything better than 110 degrees.

you're a better sailer than I am chip if you hold 110, by the time I have enough wind to sail upwind, I have enough waves to generally make it 125-130........ but some of that has to do with my deep baggy main I suppose.....

Sounds like you guys may not be trimming your sails properly. Although I agree that 110 is probably about the best you will do with a Genoa, you can easily get another 15 degrees out of it by using the jib and cabin top cars as opposed to the outboard genny cars. Also make sure that you are sheeting inside both shrouds (outside of the baby stays though).

Maybe because I have a windsurfing background, I don't have any hesitation pulling the snot out of the mainsail when I'm trying to sail upwind for long distances. Yes, it will never point as well as a racing keelboat however, you can probably get it within 10-20 degrees given the right trim. Of course, you need a couple mods too, like an adjustable outhaul and backstay (for X boat). You must have the sheet and vang completely loose when you raise the main, then torque the heck out of the outhaul to remove all the vertical wrinkles. Once you have the sail good and flat with no wrinkles, then yank the main sheet down hard and then tighten the vang hard. Now you are ready to release the sheet blocks and start sailing. Make sure to winch in the jib real tight too. I think in this config, you can get about 95 degrees (I'll bet you could get 5 more degrees with a better mainsail)...I'm pretty sure I've verified this on my GPS track before. Now of course the difference between a Mac and a racing boat is that your VMG will be highest pointed as close to the wind as you can with a racing boat but with a Mac, you will probably open it up another 5-10 degrees to get max VMG.

Fairwinds, I'm another one of these guys who downsized to a MAC from a much heavier keelboat (after 3 decades of sailing/windsurfing experience) The first time I saw a Mac about 10-11 years ago, I thought it looked like total junk and I skipped right over them. After studying the design for a couple years though, I learned that the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages for my shallow Florida West coastal cruising that I do most of the time. I don't want to cross an Ocean in this boat, but for everything else, it is perfect. I've probably owned close to a dozen boats, finding some reason or another to get rid of each one after a few years (usually due to lack of usage). Not so with the Mac, now that I have customized it just the way I want it, this is going to be my long term boat.

Sure, I know that some of my hardcore racing friends despise this boat, but I think it is mostly due to jealousy... I use my boat much more than they use theirs. Everytime I anchor my Mac near people or take it to a boat ramp, everyone wants to know more about this wonder boat. Just last week at Longboat key near Sarasota, strangers were taking pictures of my boat anchored in 18 inches of water on the pristine Gulf beach side of the key and asking me who built this boat.

wow. Dimitri, your letter is exactly the same i could write.
same feeling, same choices,i totally agree with you.
may be this is the mac owner's way of thinking?

[Fairwinds]

I thought you guys might be interested in other boats that pioneered the concept.

http://www.sailingtexas.com/sbalboa26e.html
http://www.sailingtexas.com/sbalboa26i.html
http://www.sailingtexas.com/slancer27c.html

These boats are proven bluewater cruisers from a bygone era. Their steel or iron keels are troublesome and they require a serious truck to tow them safely. Ramp launching requires some planning, usually a tongue extender. but as you can see, you get a lot of boat for your money.. The Lancer 27PS WILL plane if you put 150hp on it..The Balboa has a trick rudder arrangement. It drops through a slot in the cockpit sole, like the "M"'s daggerboard. A center shaft allows the below water portion to pivot, a tiller mounts on the top of the shaft (rudder post).