Morning all.
I'm a new member although without a Mac - I have a 19' bilge keeler on a drying mooring in Hayling Island. I'm very tempted by the 26C because of its ligher weight over the X and M, However, an open question .. " does anyone keep their Mac on a drying mooring, or is it though too much threat to the hull and or getting a clogged up keel? -" any views /experience welcome ( I posted this earlier today, but in the web site move it seems to have got lost)
Peter
I've had 3 Ems (26X) on a drying mooring since '99 between April and October inc each year. The only time I had a problem was once when I was late getting back to the mooring and drove it through the mud to get back on. Managed to free it by first some vigorous motoring on next tide and then jumping on the top of the keel housing (in the cabin). Guess it depends how soft your mud, our creek is fairly soft.
I don't bother with antifoul either just slip her in shallow water twice a season and wade around scraping any barnacles etc off. I get half way back without getting shorts wet then turn the boat round to get to the rest!
cheers Merv
Thanks for that Merv .The mud's soft. - I suppose by biggest concern is a hidden rock or hard debris, but on an established mooring I'd like to think that they would have been pushed below.
Cheers Peter