Hi, my name is Philip Hastings, presently the newest member of the MOA, and, like many before me, boatless at the moment!
I have done a fair amount of sailing in the past, mostly crewing for friends off Burnham on Crouch in various craft, and one cross-channel trip from Gosport to Cherbourg, Alderney and back on a 60 footer, but nothing much for the last ten years. My seamanship skills are at the stage where I know enough to know that I don't know enough!! So am looking to do an RYA Day Skipper course soon.
I now live in Dorset and, after much research, have decided that the Mac 26 is the boat which meets all my requirements: trailerable, solo launch and retrieve when necessary, choice of sail or power to suit the conditions, choice of launch area, whether inland or coastal. I am not into racing, looking at sailing purely for pleasure! (Why is it that so many 'sailing types' you meet always assume you want to race?) I have read and assimilated all the adverse comments about Macs, but still think it's the best boat for my needs: there's even a Mac-sized space in my drive ready and waiting! Needless to say I am on the look-out for a Mac, I like the M, but will probably end up with a C or, hopefully, an X. I'll be towing it with a Land Rover Defender 110.
The odd thing is, I haven't yet stepped aboard a Mac, or even seen one in the flesh, so would be pleased to be able to have a look at one, if anyone has theirs somewhere in the SouthWest, either in the water or on a trailer (I'm near Sherborne in Dorset).
I think I'll be looking at trailering to Lyme Regis, West Bay, or Poole. Poole Harbour would seem to be a good place to get some idea of how a Mac handles before hitting the Blue Water. I have no great ambitions, but a cross-channel trip would be good (in good weather, of course!!) Towing to France or Holland and using the canals is very appealing, too.
I'd be pleased to have any information on what to look for when buying a Mac.
Cheers,
Philip Hastings
Thu, 17/06/2010 - 12:11am
#1
philip.h-hastings
Just saying Hello
Hi Philip,
Welcome to the club from another new member. I was exactly where you are with my thinking this time last year, I now have a lovely M - "Crackerjack" and somewhere to sail, but due to a number of factors, which I won't bore anyone here with, have yet to get her into the water, but I'm hoping that will be addressed in the next couple of weeks.
I am also not too far away from you, being situated just outside Taunton. You would be more than welcome to come and have a 'conducted tour' and a chat over a cuppa some time, but don't leave it too long as I'm hoping to get her onto the mooring down on the Tamar in a couple of weeks time, sooner if time permits.
I look forward to meeting a some stage.
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
Hi Paul,
Very many thanks for your quick response, warm welcome and invitation to view. I'd love to drop by and see 'Crackerjack'.
Please contact me on 07790 006329 anytime. I often cannot answer straightaway in the daytime because of the nature of my work, but will get back to you asap.
If you're planning to take her into the water in the next couple of weeks, I'm free saturday 19th June or any evening. Hope to hear from you! Many thanks,
Philip
Hi we bought an 11yr old mac26x last november we had trouble raising the mast because it had roller reefing and was very heavy we managed it with help from rick it had a brand new trailer which encouraged us to buy it because we wanted to trail it long distances it was our first yacht unfortunately it is now a right off and also the car. we were taking it up to windermere for a week on june 13th rod was driving and everything was great I drove after a while and it started snaking on the M6 I was drivinh at 45 mph it went slowly into the crash barrier and the boat turned over we were both fine we are insured so hope we will get our money back we are goung to get it on saturday from the holding where it is being kept. Just don,t know what to do now any thoughts? be careful when trailing your boat.regards Jill
That's such a sad story Jill, I'm really sorry it happened to you both and am glad to hear you were not physically hurt. Snaking is always a danger when towing and very frightening when it happens.
I suspect the insurance company will take care of the car and boat, do give them a ring and ask them. You might like to check and see if you have to pay an excess on the claim, most company's do not pay out on the first few hundred pounds of a claim to stop small claims being put through all the time.
I hope you eventually get another suitable boat and a car. Best of luck with it all.
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
Hi Jill
I'm really sorry to hear of your disaster with your new boat. I was hoping that after helping you sort out the mast raising that you'd be off enjoying your sailing. It can really bring you down when something like that happens.
Can I ask what car your were using to tow the Mac? I've towed mine many hundreds of miles, usually at around 55-60 mph with no stability problems (to Holland and back just last week for example). In fact I find the boat tows better than my caravan. My car is a Kia Sorrento 4x4 weighing over 2 tonnes, and most Mac owners use cars of a similar size with no problem. I'm wondering if maybe your car was a lot lighter, and if so it would be a salient warning about using a large enough tow car.
If you have time to give us some more details I think it would be very interesting for other members.
I hope you haven't been permanently put off Macs, and most importantly not put off sailing! Best wishes with finding replacements.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Sorry for not contributing to this post sooner - I've only just noticed it!
Welcome to the Association, Philip. A wise choice, if I may say so!
I think the vast majority of our members are essentially in it for the "cruising" (although they do say that when 2 yachts are sailing in the same direction it is by definition a race!)
You have no doubt already realised that there is a wide range of sailing experience amongst our members and there are plenty of relative novices. The rallies are an ideal way to extend your experience and enjoy good company too. I hope you enjoy your Day Skip. - it's good fun in its own right.
Hope to see you on the water in the not too distant future.
Jill - sorry to hear about your awful experience -it must have been horrible but thankfully you weren't injured. I hope it doesn't put you off although I guess you have to start building your interest and enthusiasm from a point slightly further back than when you started! I would suggest though, that that is a journey worth making for the pleasures that being a Mac-er can bring. Best of luck and hopefully we will see you soon on the water. (By the way, please let us know about the tow vehicle or other relevant thoughts on factors involved in the accident - we don't like to dwell on these things but it could be really valuable knowledge gained for some of our members)
Mike McNerney
Commodore
Jill:
A harrowing tale. Sorry to hear.
We tow at about 55 with a toyota previa which is the lightest vehicle I've seen at any of the rallies, and we've done a few hundred miles is all. I really do hope you get back into it and get as much enjoyment and use as we do. Hard pressed to think of a more practical boat.
Philip:
Restless is based in Poole and when she's at home (in the drive) you can come and have a look anytime. Once we launch we tend to go out for a week at least, currently trying to figure out how long it would take to sail through France to the med, along Italy and on to Turkey. Or maybe we'll just tow her there and play for a couple of months. Oh decisions decisions.. too many options! :D
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice, there is.
Hi Everyone,
Many thanks for the replies received on here: a very friendly association indeed! I must extend my grateful thanks to Paul Jacobs, who was quick to invite me to see his M class, an offer I was glad to accept. It was enough to assure me that the Mac was the right boat for my needs.
I can now proudly change my status from 'boatless' to 'boat owner': I have recently acquired a lovely, very little used 2000 26X, now safely parked where I can get her ready for the next season. Amazingly, she's never been named, so a naming ceremony is the first task!
Having been so busy with work this summer, I've had little time to log on to the association site, but am looking forward to being here more often.
Best Wishes,
Philip Hastings
wow.. nice one!
will there be plenty of ale flowing for the wetting of your new babies bow??? might end up with most of the association present...
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice, there is.
Congratulations! Now you've got plenty of things to do on those long winter nights and great times ahead when you get sailing.
Watch out for the date of our AGM in Feb - it's a very informal gathering probably at The Swan in Arborfield. If you can make it, it's a good opportunity to meet fellow Mac-ers
Regards
Mike
Commodore
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