MacGregorSailors.com

Going through the Macgregor web ring looking for mod ideas for this season I saw a site I havent visited in about 2 years. It shall remain un-named, if you dont know the site, perhaps someday you will.

I noticed that it still states that these boats will do 17 MPH under sail.

The most I can prove is 7 Knots in 9.8 mph wind under main and genoa.



Once during an asses and elbows drill under A sail and main, my daughter says she saw it top 11 knots. I am still awaiting independent verification.

I think Roger's 17 knots is with spinnaker on a down hill run with 25 knots of wind...

I guess I didnt read the factory site altogether too well. Rogers site is not the site to which I refer. I refer to ..........

I think the 17 knots was when they left the sails up with it on the trailer and it rolled down the hill.

Perhaps there was a little current assist.

I have video of 7.6 Mph (6.5 knots). http://www.johnkhill.com/SailImages2003 ... ensaVI.wmv

We sustained that for over an hour while sailing around Pensacola, and that was towing our tender. Average perhaps but with most of my time sailing on a small lake, being able to sustain that kind of speed in a wide open area was a blast. I've briefly sailed better than that but nothing sustained.

What I find amusing is, most of the time when I'm making best speed, it doesn't always feel like it. It is as if there is a groove and when I'm in it, it is smooth and I don't feel like I'm going as fast as I am.

I also like on occasion when the rigging hums.

mine planes before I raise the sails.

Mark Prouty wrote:mine planes before I raise the sails.

Oh yeah? Mine's done 85 mph with the sails and mast down.
7.3 liter diesel powered!
--
Moe

I told this story before, but some may have missed. I got a new (to me) Expedition just a week before the trip to FL two years ago. I mounted my Garmin 176C on the dashboard and we hit the road towing the Mac. After a brief familiarization, I found it towed pretty nicely and the speeds crept up, until soon I was dong 75-80 by the GPS most of the time.

The truck speedo consistently showed about 10% higher but I just assumed the PO had done something with the tires, maybe a wrong speedo gear for the differential, whatever. I noticed that I was passing most everybody but didnt think anything of it.

Coming down the mountains on I-81 in western VA, I touched 85 a couple times, again by GPS.

Got to the bottom of the hill and it hit me like a 2 x 4 across the back of the head: Close to 700 miles and Id never reset the speed units from knots to mph. I could hear myself saying, But officer, Im clocking myself by GPS and I know thats more accurate than anything youve got.

For those who are wondering, 92mph.

Chip wrote:For those who are wondering, 92mph.

Gotta do this to my trailer:



Two Axle Mod

Mark, that incident occured with the original single axle trailer. The double axle trailer tracks better, but I still wouldn't knowingly do 92 mph with it. Ignorance is bliss, as they say.

I believe you have to paint the hull blue in order to sail at 17MPH.

I once got 10 knots out of my 26S (by GPS). I was out in about 25-35 knots of wind with a full main alone. Probably not the smartest thing I've done, but it was fun. I was averaging about 7 knots; I hit 10 while surfing down an 8-foot wave.

Jared

Scott wrote:I guess I didnt read the factory site altogether too well. Rogers site is not the site to which I refer. I refer to ..........

Umm!



Oh!

Murrelet is a pocket cruiser capable of sailing over its own bow wake. She planes and her manufacturer says she is capable of reaching speeds above 17 MPH under sail. She also will single hand at speeds over 20 MPH using a 50 HP motor or sail loaded down for an extended cruise at a hull speed of 7 MPH.

I truly believe the 17 MPH claim that Roger has said is simply to make you believe it's not the boat...it's the sailor!

This way, you wanna get out sailing as much as you can, display that big 'M' with your sheets in the wind, just crankin' away with your winch handle, and wondering just why can't I get this boat to go 17 MPH, just like Roger said in his promo video!

Now, to make TRUE believers in that statement, Roger himself should simply include video proof of the boat, him, and a GPS shot...then he'd have Mac's flying out the door! Maybe his production rate would exceed 17 knots!

Yup yup yup, I have seen my GPS and knot meter agree at a shade above 9 knots. I didnt have the presence of mind to film it as we were working to keep the rubber side down, (trucker jargon.)

As for trailering I use my brothers 3/4 ton and maintain a comfortable 80 with the single axle however I am going to have a second axle installed as a failsafe this year.