GOOD OLD BOAT

[Azzarac]

Just got my copy of Good Old Boat in the mail today and thought I would let everyone know they dedicated 5 pages to reviewing the 26X this month.

Fair Winds,
Cpt. Azzarac
Chameleon
Follow Chameleon's travels at: http://svchameleon.weebly.com/

[NiceAft]

Favorable review, or not

Ray

[fouz]

Highlights?

[Russ]

I'm not sure how I feel about the Mac X being considered a "Good old boat".

Sure, a wooden Chris Craft. But a Mac X?

Any chance to post some excerpts?

[Azzarac]

Sorry, didn't want to spoil anyone's reading so I didn't go into any details. The article was written by Allen Penticoff who also happens to own a Mac 26D. Overall, he stated what we already knew, the X is a sturdy, reliable and easy to sail boat with some compromises just like all sailboats. His test boat was a fairly unmodified 99 X on the Caloosahatchee River on Florida's west coast. The article goes into the Macgregor history, design,construction and accommodations. I got the impression that he enjoyed his time sailing the X, but then again, he was in southern Florida and that's got to make everything a little sweeter for those of us who are still waiting for sailing weather to arrive...

[Normer]

The boat I sailed prior to my X was a Kettenburg classic racing sloop; clear finish Honduras mahogany on oak frames with full keel; what many might consider to be a "Good Old Boat". However, as I look back on the days in my X; I have to say the versatility and family friendly aspects of the X have created some wonderful memories with many more to come. I personally regard the X as a Good Old Boat!

Part of the fun of the X is modifying to make it your own. Many kudos to those on this board that shared their tips and mods over the years.

I hope the Tattoo will provide others with similar opportunities in to the future...

[dlandersson]

Got my issue Monday. Overall pretty positive article - makes the point that the 26X is very safe, does not break easily, and is a compromise boat, well suited to recreational sailers who are not interested in crossing the atlantic, pacific or circumnavigating the globe. He did a nice job of pointing out it's strengths.

Sorry, didn't want to spoil anyone's reading so I didn't go into any details. The article was written by Allen Penticoff who also happens to own a Mac 26D. Overall, he stated what we already knew, the X is a sturdy, reliable and easy to sail boat with some compromises just like all sailboats. His test boat was a fairly unmodified 99 X on the Caloosahatchee River on Florida's west coast. The article goes into the Macgregor history, design,construction and accommodations. I got the impression that he enjoyed his time sailing the X, but then again, he was in southern Florida and that's got to make everything a little sweeter for those of us who are still waiting for sailing weather to arrive...

[DaveB]

I live in Cape Coral and launch at Cape Coral Yacht Ramp for past 24 years. Thats on the Caloosahatchee River and Launching my Mac.X past 5 years there.
I didn't find the artical and past member of Good Old boats but stopped 6 mo. ago.
I sent Karen Larsen (owner/editor of Good Old Boats) a e-mail about my Alberg 35 about a year ago and she said it would be interesting for a story on the boat.
I see a few X's,M's and S's or D's but never ran into him.
Dave

Sorry, didn't want to spoil anyone's reading so I didn't go into any details. The article was written by Allen Penticoff who also happens to own a Mac 26D. Overall, he stated what we already knew, the X is a sturdy, reliable and easy to sail boat with some compromises just like all sailboats. His test boat was a fairly unmodified 99 X on the Caloosahatchee River on Florida's west coast. The article goes into the Macgregor history, design,construction and accommodations. I got the impression that he enjoyed his time sailing the X, but then again, he was in southern Florida and that's got to make everything a little sweeter for those of us who are still waiting for sailing weather to arrive...

[bartmac]

Hi Azzarac saw your website and blog "nice" ....just be aware your hydraulic helm mod doesn't actually fix weather helm...if your Mac has weather helm its a product of your rig and rudder control won't fix it, might just make it easier to counter...ours had the same problem and only after setting up the mast rake correctly did it start behaving! Now it does react to a gust but doesn't round up...maintaining boat speed and direction

"The fundamental cause of "helm", be it weather or lee, is the relationship of the center of pressure of the sail plan to the center of lateral resistance of the hull. If the center of pressure is astern of the center of lateral resistance, a weather helm, the tendency of the vessel to want to turn into the wind, or to weather-vane, will result.....Wikipedia

[Divecoz]

OK make fun of me, I can take it.. Exactly how do I fix Mast Rake on a I have no back-stay..I have never noticed either weather or lee helm.. is it real obvious if you have it ?

just be aware your hydraulic helm mod doesn't actually fix weather helm...if your Mac has weather helm its a product of your rig and rudder control won't fix it, might just make it easier to counter...ours had the same problem and only after setting up the mast rake correctly did it start behaving!

"The fundamental cause of "helm", be it weather or lee, is the relationship of the center of pressure of the sail plan to the center of lateral resistance of the hull. If the center of pressure is astern of the center of lateral resistance, a weather helm, the tendency of the vessel to want to turn into the wind, or to weather-vane, will result.....Wikipedia

[Russ]

OK make fun of me, I can take it.. Exactly how do I fix Mast Rake on a I have no back-stay..I have never noticed either weather or lee helm.. is it real obvious if you have it ?

just be aware your hydraulic helm mod doesn't actually fix weather helm...if your Mac has weather helm its a product of your rig and rudder control won't fix it, might just make it easier to counter...ours had the same problem and only after setting up the mast rake correctly did it start behaving!

"The fundamental cause of "helm", be it weather or lee, is the relationship of the center of pressure of the sail plan to the center of lateral resistance of the hull. If the center of pressure is astern of the center of lateral resistance, a weather helm, the tendency of the vessel to want to turn into the wind, or to weather-vane, will result.....Wikipedia

Rich, you rake it back by loosening the forestay and tightening the shrouds. It's tricky so if it ain't broke.....

You would notice it if you had it. But like mentioned, a heavy gust should produce weather helm and that's a good safety thing.


--Russ

[bartmac]

Don't need a backstay its the length of the FRONT stay ie lean the mast back and you get weather helm in Mac26X....our mast was too far back...so much so I actually reattached the front stay 2" above the normal attachment point to get some adjustment back ie I ran out of adjustment..now I have the front stay adjuster about 3/4 wound in....also relaxed the side stays one hole
Some weather helm is good...safety... boat turns into the wind but ours basically was unsailable....every gust and she headed up and rudder adjustment was useless and only acted as a brake...once a boat stops into the wind its no longer steerable then you have to drop off the wind regain boat speed so you can recover your intended course...not nice sailing...boats don't steer unless they have water flowing past the rudder(s)

[bartmac]

I cant see anyone wanting to induce too much weather helm...its a balanced boat you would want...so when a gust hits a slight heading up is OK with not too much sail up....however....the rake of the mast too far forward would cause Lee helm....NOT desirable...so slow adjustment is what is required.All this is mentioned in the Mac manual...using some sort of a angle gauge...but sailing is going to be the final check.Ours is now so well balanced even our autopilot keeps up in variable winds