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Rigging and launching a Cat 250 WB

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Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
9082 Posts

Response Posted - 06/21/2012 : 22:23:50

One of the bigger issues for rigging time and difficulty is whether a person can simply push the mast up, or whether it requires a winch, gin pole, A-frame, or some other combination of rigging to accomplish. Even if it can be "walked up", as my O'Day Daysailer mast could, after a while you will still really come to appreciate the idea of being able to leave the boat in the water.

I have not stepped a C-22 mast. If it requires special rigging as I vaguely described above, it will probably get very old, fast, for daily trailer-sailing. The C-250 mast definitely requires a rigging process to raise and lower. It's doable, but for going in and out each day, it will probably become too cumbersome. The Catalina/Capri 18 or similar might be a better choice.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 06/21/2012 22:24:59

Arlyn Stewart
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Response Posted - 06/24/2012 : 16:07:14

Having owned both a C-22 and the C-250 wb, there is little difference in the setup time or the launch difficulty with one exception... a cross wind retrieval will make the C-250 harder to retrieve to the trailer.... otherwise I think the C-250 actually has the edge on ease.

Much of that is due to the mast raising system and lack of forward lowers.

A huge difference in a C-22 and a C-250 is in the much greater ability of the 250 to cope with Great Lakes sailing.

Setup and retrieval is one hour each way and that is doing it slow enough to be deliberate, thoughtful and careful.

The 250 wb requires slightly more pull than a C-22 but any full size pickup or equivalent is fine. Almost any ramp will do if the ballast is blown by a low pressure pump prior to trailer retrieval. No tongue extension or launch rope are needed so a great deal of time is saved compared to its brother the wing keel.

It is hard to compare the 250 to the X... one is a sailboat and other is a motor sailor. The X doesn't sail well. The Hunter 240 is not in the same class as the C-250... it is much less sailboat in quite a few ways, especially sailing performance.

If the venue will ultimately be the Great Lakes... the 250 wb is very suitable. It will handle the swell of the Great Lakes better than many much larger center keeled boats as it has more of the character of a full keeled boat.

Best of luck with your choice.

PS... I forgot to add one thought... no matter what the setup time... it is sometimes a source of contention for any reluctant crew. If they are reluctant to sailing, they may tolerate the sailing, but loath the setup and take down of trailer sailing. IMO, trailer sailing is for the occasional sailor or sailing family... perhaps a weekend a month sort of thing or as in my case, an annual summer cruise on choice waters.

Edited by - Arlyn Stewart on 06/24/2012 16:19:53

dmpilc
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Response Posted - 07/01/2012 : 11:55:50

We've had a C-22 since 1977. (Also owned a C-25 for 5 years) After just a little practice and developing a routine, you can rig a C-22 in 30 minutes. The C-22 is easy to sail also. The Chip Ford web site is good. Also search the net for North Gulf Coast Cruise. There's a C-22 group that does a week-long cruise along the FL panhandle every year. I hope to do it once at least. THe C-22 draws about 2.5 ft. with the keel up. You may also find one with a kick-up rudder. Very handy for shallow water.

Edited by - dmpilc on 07/01/2012 11:57:33

ekremer
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Response Posted - 07/06/2012 : 20:33:33

I have a 1995 C250 WB that I trailer sailed for the first 2 years of ownership. I had previously owned a Mac 26 and learned a lot about trailering from joining a sailing club for Macs. The Mac is lighter and launches in shallower water, more like a motor boat, but the C250 is much more comfortable and stable. With practice, my wife and I could rig and launch the C250 in about 35 minutes. Recovery and de-rigging always took a bit longer, about an hour or more. Much of that time was tying things down for travel. Raising and lowering the mast is easy with gin pole but attention to detail is needed to avoid damage to the standing rigging. I learned to leave the shrouds alone, loosened the backstay, left the sails on the boom and roller furler saving time at each end. On shallow ramps, it is helpful to blow out the water ballast prior to recovering the boat, but cross winds can make it difficult to load. Putting loading side boards on the trailer improve the chances of getting it right.

As I have gotten older, setting the boat up for every sail became too much trouble and I put it in a slip for a number of years on a hoist, and now have the boat in dry storage with the mast up. I only take it to other lakes about once a year, so my skills in set-up have considerably diminished.

Earlier comments about passengers and family getting board while waiting to use the boat are true. Fatigue at the end of the day may make getting it loaded and ready for the road more tedious as well.

I hope the comments are helpful. Join a sailing club when you get your boat and watch how others do it. Love the 250.

Edited by - on

Panzer
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Response Posted - 07/07/2012 : 04:33:18

All of your input has been extremely helpful and I appreciate the time you all have taken to provide me with a little guidance. As a novice, I need all the advice I can get. Based on what you all have said, I am leaning toward the purchase of a Mac 26X unless you talk me out of it. My reasons - ease of launching and recovery, less set-up time, and headroom inside the cabin. I know I will be giving up overall quality, sailing characteristics, better arranged cabin. These are huge things to sacrifice, but since the boat will always be trailered home after each use, I know we will probably tire of excessive rigging/de-rigging times and perhaps problems at the ramp. The Mac's ability to go fast under power is nothing that matters to us. The Cat 22 is probably too small for us and being an older boat, I don't want to inherit a bunch of updating and fixing things right out of the chute. Upon your recommendations, I did research it though and feel it would be a good boat otherwise. Sooo, unless you can talk me out of it, looks like we'll have a Mac 26X in our driveway one of these days. It is not my 1st choice (a Cat 250WB holds that place), but is what seems most practical at this point. Any last advice before I defect to the "dark side?" My mind is not 100% made up, but I'm getting there.

Edited by - on

TakeFive
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Response Posted - 07/07/2012 : 05:30:01

My only advice would be to seriously look at your budget situation and marina availability where you are, and reconsider keeping a boat in a marina slip (or possibly drydock where you can leave the rig up). Trailering any sailboat to/from home, whether it's Catalina, Mac, or Hunter, is going to spoil the fun.

You'll see in my signature pic that I have two trailer boats. They're both little, lightweight, and easy to launch and recover at the ramp. Even they are a pain, so I take them to the lake on vacation, dump them in the water, and leave them there for 1-2 weeks while I'm at the lake.

By and large, the people here who trailer put the boat in and stay on it for several days at a time. If you want to go do daysails, there is nothing that can beat driving to the boat, hopping on and sailing, then locking her up and going home.

You said "there is not a sailboat to be found" on your nearby lake. Is that just in the marina's drydock lot, or does it refer to the whole lake? You might want to talk to the marina manager about this and find out why. He might say, "we've had sailboats before, just not now." Or he might say, "our water is too shallow on this lake to accommodate any sailboats."

Edited by - on

Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 07/07/2012 : 08:47:53

Any boat represents compromises. The Mac 26X sacrifices sailing abilities for its go-fast motoring abilities. If you have no interest in the go-fast abilities then that is a primary design trade-off that does not provide a benefit to you. On the other hand the Mac strikes you as easier to rig and launch which is important for you.

Prioritize what is important to you and let that help you make your decision. If the result is a Mac 26X then get it and have fun with it.

Edited by - Nautiduck on 07/07/2012 08:54:18

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 07/07/2012 : 09:37:31

Note that the Mac 26X has a daggerboard--not a pivoting centerboard. A daggerboard goes straight up and down in a "sleeve" inside the cabin. The Mac's is 5'9" deep when deployed, although it can fully disappear into the hull for motoring. Sailing in a shallow, man-made lake, if you hit a tree stump, stone foundation, or whatever, the dagger will not swing up--it will break something. It happened on my Sunfish on a man-made lake in Michigan--the hull was half-full by the time we made it back to the beach, which makes it very hard to stay upright.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/07/2012 09:43:25

Panzer
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Response Posted - 07/07/2012 : 10:46:12

The Mac 26X has the swing keel and the 26M (latest model out) has the dagger board. In Lake Springfield (IL), it would be advantageous to have a swing keel as the lake is very shallow in many places and it gets worse as drought takes it toll on the water level. What ever I end up with will have to have the swing keel to avoid the submerged "surprises."

Nautiduck makes a good point on what I am willing to sacrifice. The high speed motoring ability of the Mac 26X and 26M is a big, big design feature of the MacGregor boats that I do not care much about. It does not seem wise to have a $5000-$6000 motor hanging on the back of a boat if I do not plan to use it to its fullest capabilities. The 50-60 hp motors probably cost more to maintain and feed gas to. In addition, if my wife and I were to take a Mac 26X out for an evening cruise under power at 6-10 mph, would the 50-60 hp motor at partial power be that much less fuel efficient as a 10-15 hp outboard at full power? I suppose it would be easier on the larger motor to run it at partial power than the smaller motor at near full power.

Ekremer said he and his wife could rig their C250 in about 35 minutes when they were proficient at it. Is this anyone else's experience? Most other posts said 1-2 hours to rig then 1-2 hours to de-rig their C250s. I have about a 2-3 mile trip to get the boat to Lake Springfield from home on 35 mph or less roads. I don't suppose everything would have to be tied down as well for short, low speed trips as opposed to 65 mph interstate trips would they? Would it be safe and practical to just minimally get the boat ready for the short trip to the ramp to save time on both ends - or is this a foolish thing to consider? I'd still like to justify the C250WB.

On another note, I called the Illinois Secretary of State Police and the Illinois State Police for guidance on towing widths (thinking about the 8.5 beam on the Catalina and the 9 foot beam on a Hunter 260). The officers I spoke with knew nothing other than the fact that an 8.5 feet beam width is the maximum on state and federal highways. They did not know where to reference the widths in the statutes and knew nothing about widths on county, municipal, and township roads (where I would be most of the time if using Lake Springfield). I suspect the insurance company rep would be the authority if a mishap occurred. They would not pay a claim if my boat was over the legal limit without a wide load permit. That may even affect the C250WB as it is 8.5 feet wide. If the local road limit is 8 feet, I would be SOL if something happened.

Edited by - on

John Russell
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Response Posted - 07/07/2012 : 19:25:10

The wide load starts at widths greater than 8'6". That's standard accross the country. Theat's why the 250 is 8'6" wide. I'd be pretty surprised if local or state governemnts restricted it further. Of course specifice roads may have restrictions posted.

I can push my 250 at near hull speed with 3/4 throttle on my 9.8 horsepower Tohatsu. You can nuy a C25 for the cost of a motor on the back of a Mac.

While I respect my friends on this forum, I'm a little suspicious of the 35 minute time frame. I imagine that means a lot of things are left in place when the mast comes down. It takes me ~20 minutes to hoist sail and run the sheets for my headsail if everything is cooperating. You can't leave the sails on the furler while driving at 60mph on the highway. At least, I wouldn't. Raising the mast with the way cool mast raising system on the trail-rite trailer takes another 30 minutes or more to be sure the shrouds don't tangle and nobody gets hurt. Sure the actual winching up takes not much time but, releasing the mast from its secure position for trailering, moving it to the mast step, pinning then winching takes time. I guess you can leave the shrouds attached but, again, they'd have to be secured for that 60mph trip down the highway. Oh yeah, hanging the rudder. Not something I'd let hang fro the transom at 60mph.

The C250 is not a "trailer sailor" It's a 25 foot boat that is transported on a trailer. Big difference.

Edited by - John Russell on 07/07/2012 19:27:08

GaryB
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Response Posted - 07/07/2012 : 21:31:11

Are you sure you want a 25' sailboat on Lake Springfield? Just looking at it on Google and it looks like the longest distance you could sail is around 3 miles before you get to the bridge. With the shallow depth concerns, a limited sailing area, and the need to trailer I'm not sure a C250 is the right boat. Especially a first boat.

Personally I'd lean more to a larger daysailer that would be easier and quicker to rig/de-rig. Easier to trailer and easier to handle while learning to sail.

A Flying Scot or something has a ton of room and would be perfect for this lake -->> http://www.flyingscot.com/ There are a ton of these on the used market. I'm seriously thinking of buying one myself to trailer to other sailing venues.

When the day and time to sail on bigger waters comes you can always move to a larger boat.

Edited by - GaryB on 07/07/2012 21:39:29

Johnnybob
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Response Posted - 07/09/2012 : 10:45:55

For what it's worth I'll second GaryB's recommendation for a Flying Scot. It trailers, launches and retrieves easily. It has a very roomy and comfortable cockpit. It is a very forgiving boat to learn on and at the same time it can be a very exciting ride. It has a pivoting center board and a rudder that can be raised or lowered to suit conditions. They are still in production and have been for well over 50 years. Parts and tech support are readily available. They do not have a cabin for shelter, shade or facilities.
Good luck with whatever you choose and remember the main objective is to have fun.

John Clements
Cow Island SC
250 TR WK #375

Time flies like an arrow
Fruit flies like a banana

Edited by - on

britinusa
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Response Posted - 07/14/2012 : 10:48:17

Peggy (Admiral) just read though this post and a heavy conversation followed, so thanks guys!

Couple of points from the Admiral's perspective.

Background: We are both in our 60's, I have a 25 year Royal Navy (get it done attitude) and sailing from tiny dinks up to 38' and now happy owner of JD (Joint Decision) a 2005, C250 Water Ballast.

We keep JD on the trailer at the side of our house, we have a few upgrades that I mention just because they do have an impact on the launch and retrieval process.

We also sail in South Florida, where it's either hot as heck, or humid enough to make a cigar soggy!

It's 90minutes from our house to Black Point Marina on Biscayne Bay, rarely does it take more or less than that.

Black Point Marina has a 'Sailboat Preparation' area, a layby at the side of the road leading to the ramps.

Peggy & I fill the boat's water tanks (we carry 40gals). Peggy gets the bedding and washgear ready, I get the food, drinks, and load up the Freezer (It stays on the boat, but I unplug it until 24 hours before we depart.)
It takes a while to load the boat as we only keep the cushions on board, so all of the toys have to be put on board: GPS(2) Radio(3) Flashlights(3), docs, etc. I expect that it takes about an hour to get everything on board. Remember we always plan on having at least 4 nights on the water.

While prepping JD for the trip to the marina (along the Turnpike mostly) I always check the grease in the 4 trailer wheels, check the wheel nuts, and the brake fluid. I lash the shrouds and furler to the mast and lash the loop of the shrouds to the lifelines so that they won't flop about on the highway. I secure the boom to the port side inside the stanchions, cover the pedestal with a canvas bag, and the furler drum with a custom sunbrella bag with a leather insert on the bottom (prevents the metal from touching the deck) and plant the furler tack end and drum into a custom support as it hangs over the end of the mast. Then the mast is tied down to the top of the mast raising post and to the mast support crutch on the stern. I put a line from the catbird seats up to the lowered mast to take the sideways stress off the crutch while trailering.

JD is lashed down to the trailer with 2" webbing ratchet straps.

In the bed of our F150 is the Generator, Inflatable Dinghy, Standard 3.5gal fuel tank and extra 5gal fuel tank, and the dink's 2.5hp outboard. I keep them in the truck rather than on the boat to add weight to the truck more than anything else.

Ok, Final check that all is ok with truck and trailer, lights on and tested, we're ready to roll.

90 minutes later, we're at the Marina.

Now I remove the aft strap (keep the front on till after the mast is raised) and unlash the mast and shrouds. Raise the mast crutch.

Peggy unclips the trailer winch strap and empties anything in the truck that we'll need onboard.

I move the mast aft and secure the foot into the base plate, attach the baby stays and secure the winch strap to the unused jib halyard, taking a couple of turns around the mast and cleat with the bitter end of the halyard.

Peggy is the winch wench. I relax while she raises the mast, all I have to do is keep the shrouds upright so that they don't bend at the T bar.

Once the mast is up, I take the cover off the furler drum, and attach it to the bow tab. Peggy adjusts the tension on the winch so that it's easy to attach the furler stay to the bow tab.

Mast secure. Peggy loosens the winch strap so that I can release it from the jib halyard. Then she makes it up to the bow strap and retensions the strap so that we can remove the forward hold down strap.

Peggy wraps up the two hold down straps and puts them in the truck.

I put the generator on board, and the fuel tanks. Attach the backstay, remove the baby stays, secure the bimini.

Peggy finishes loading the boat and sorts out the cabin, puts the cockpit cushions in place and secures the cabin for sea.

I load the dink onto the foredeck and the dink's outboard onto the post catbird seat rail (need a new motor mount!)

Fenders out, Docklines setup. Ready to launch.

During all of this time, Peggy is making sure I don't overdo it, that's easy down here. Our general rule is not be prepping the boat at noon!

Me (the Guy from Mars) gets things done, so I'm on the go from the moment we arrive at the marina, Peggy is definitely a team member. I could prep the boat alone, would take longer, and I would possibly ignore the rate of fluid loss and approaching heat exhaustion. We've been there.

Peggy part of the crew, and is not a guest on JD, and is determined to learn more about the boat and sailing (should be taking a sailing course this autumn). So I expect her to participate in the prep for launching and hauling.

So... don't send your partner shopping, get them to participate, they will be a more valuable member of the boat's crew.

Paul

Edited by - on

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 07/14/2012 : 13:13:33

I stand corrected on the 26X "centerboard" (the conventional term when it isn't the ballast for the boat). Glad to hear you're aware of the daggerboard issue on a shallow lake.

I see no reason why you couldn't put a smaller engine on the Mac--A 9.9 hp should push her to hull speed (about 6.3 knots) at well under full throttle. You just won't go any faster except with enough power to get her on plane (40-50 hp). On a lake, even a 6 hp will get you around, although it will probably make more noise.

I'll second (or "third") the Flying Scott. She's a forgiving boat but a good performer--lots of daysailing room, good stability, simple controls,... And she's one of those boats that is known everywhere, so once you buy one, you should be able to sell her readily if you decide to move up or on--if you go used, you might get what you bought her for.

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/14/2012 13:54:25

Nautiduck
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Response Posted - 07/14/2012 : 20:43:18

Can we borrow Peggy for our next cruise?

Do you leave the dink on the foredeck or just for the launch? If you leave it on the deck does it interfere with the jib?

Edited by - Nautiduck on 07/14/2012 20:44:16

britinusa
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Response Posted - 07/15/2012 : 03:43:36

If it's not 'rough' then we leave the dink in it's bag on the foredeck with a couple of bungees holding it down.
If it pipes up, then I move it to the cockpit and secure it to the Pedestal guard vertically with line.

Sorry, Peggy is a one boat my winch wench!

Paul

Edited by - on

mhartong
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Response Posted - 07/15/2012 : 08:21:27

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">
I'll second (or "third") the Flying Scott. She's a forgiving boat but a good performer--lots of days ailing room, good stability, simple controls,... And she's one of those boats that is known everywhere, so once you buy one, you should be able to sell her readily if you decide to move up or on--if you go used, you might get what you bought her for.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

I agree on the Flying Scot. It is an excellent trainer, has an active Class Association if you decide to race (http://www.fssa.com/), easy handled by one person, and with a little ingenuity is excellent for dinghy cruising (see http://dinghycruising.org.uk/ for some great ideas on dinghy cruising. If you like backpacking you would love dinghy cruising). I owned one before I bought my Cat 250 WK and would "cruise" on the Potomac and Chesapeake Bay with the Flying Scot. I probably would still have my Flying Scot except for the fact that greater "creature comforts (more specifically a head) became essential for my wife.

I'm not sure how the rest of the group feels, but I am a firm believer in starting with a dinghy before moving to a larger boat- if you make mistakes they are less expensive to fix, they are more responsive to sail handling and rudder control, they are quicker and easier to rig, and easier to launch. I dry sailed out of the Washington Sailing Marina (http://www.washingtonsailingmarina.com/) and would launch and recover using a 1 ton self use derrick crane, while still having the option of launch ramp off the trailer.

Edited by - mhartong on 07/15/2012 08:26:59

Stinkpotter
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 07/15/2012 : 10:11:53

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by mhartong
 ...I am a firm believer in starting with a dinghy before moving to a larger boat...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Me too. I recommend learning how to use the wind with a 900# boat (or even a 150# Sunfish) before dealing with 2-1/2 tons. And for trailer-sailing, the dinghy (e.g. [url="http://www.flyingscot.com/flyingscot.html"]Scott[/url]) will make getting into and out of the water, plus to and from home, a much friendlier proposition.

Note that Paul and Peggy (1) "have it down to a science", and (2) don't rig, launch, retrieve, and de-rig for a one-day sail.

My concern is that if a novice buys a boat this big for daily trailer-sailing, they will quickly tire of the whole process and give up. That's an unfortunate outcome. The risk (and cost) with a smaller boat is much smaller, and if you later conclude you'd like to move up (as many people do and some don't), that's what you do.

OK, I've said my piece... Good luck in your quest!

Edited by - Stinkpotter on 07/15/2012 13:32:33

Skipper Paul
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Response Posted - 07/17/2012 : 21:44:43

Hi Dave,

I don’t get involved too often on these discussions as I firmly believe that sailing, sailors, and their sailboats are entirely a personal decision with too many factors such as location, needs, present life situations etc.

However, as I presently have two of the three boats you are considering, and have owned similar smaller boats to those mentioned. I thought I would give you my impressions and comparisons.

Catalina 250 WB:

I have owned this boat for the longest that I have owned any sailboat and have found that it has fit my life and changes over the years. It does take a while to set-up, about an hour average I would say. I used to use it for daily sailing but after a couple of years I gave up on this as not being worth the time to set-up and take down for only a day sail. There is limited head room and with the extensive modifications I have made it has become a comfortable cruiser in the Pacific Northwest for myself and crew for periods of up to two months. I now keep it on the water at a marina and trailer it only occasionally. It is a good sailing boat with the usual traits for a water ballast boat. It launches easily at most ramps without getting the tow vehicle wet, and it is a good shallow water boat.

MacGregor26X:

I was very skeptical of this boat until I took a test ride on several of these boats and was convinced that this was the boat that would fit my present life situation and family’s needs. I also found that most sailors either really like this boat or hate it. The vast majority of the people who have owned or presently own this boat really like this boat. It also has a great following of owners with a really valuable forum for modifications and discussion much like this site for the 250’s. The boat is easy to launch on almost any ramp, set-up is about 45 minutes, easy to tow, lots of head room. It can be a handful when launching in the wind prior to filling the ballast tank. It is not the greatest sailing boat as it does not point as high or go as fast as some similar sized sailboats. The construction is lightweight for trailering. There is no wood anywhere on the stock model, as the boat is made for use, not polishing. The primary advantage to me right now is that I can put the boat in the water and motor at 15 knots to my favorite sailing areas and spend my limited time leisurely sailing and still return home to my families other needs in a timely manner.

I owned a C22 for a couple of years and enjoyed the boat but the lack of “creature comforts” mainly the lack of an enclosed head and serviceable galley made the boat unacceptable to the crew. I also have owned a WW Potter 19 and a Halman 19 which were great boats but had many of the drawbacks mentioned above.

I sail frequently with a close friend who has a Hunter 260 and it has the traits that you and others have mentioned. It is also a great boat but as I have never owned one I do not feel qualified to comment

I hope that this and the information the others on the forum allows you to make the decision on the boat that you settle on fit you and your life as it is now.

Edited by - on

Panzer
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Response Posted - 07/18/2012 : 05:50:01

Skipper Paul and everyone else who has provided input into my decision to purchase a sailboat, I truly appreciate your input. I am absorbing it all and giving everything some thought. My downfall perhaps, is that I have to research something to death before I make my move - whether it be a lawnmower, car, or sailboat. That being said, my mind is not made up on what to get yet, I still favor the Cat 250 WB, but am leaning toward the Mac 26X. The others that folks have suggested, including the Cat 22 and the Flying Scot don't have the creature comforts to keep the crew happy. I am getting an emphatic nudge for creature comforts from the other half of my crew. If anyone has any more thoughts, let me know what is on your mind.

Edited by - on

bear
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Response Posted - 07/18/2012 : 06:15:36

After reading your posts my opinion is find one of these boats, pay off the owner to see what's really involved in the launch-rigging process. Guaranteed if you sail in the nice warm sun for any number of hours you wont feel like doing the DE-rig and trailer retrieval
excersise. Especially when the admiral heads to the air-conditioned
tow vehicle. Been there and that's one reason why "Brandy" is in a slip. JMTCW

Edited by - on

John Russell
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Response Posted - 07/18/2012 : 07:31:20

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Panzer
 Skipper Paul and everyone else who has provided input into my decision to purchase a sailboat, I truly appreciate your input. I am absorbing it all and giving everything some thought. My downfall perhaps, is that I have to research something to death before I make my move - whether it be a lawnmower, car, or sailboat. That being said, my mind is not made up on what to get yet, I still favor the Cat 250 WB, but am leaning toward the Mac 26X. The others that folks have suggested, including the Cat 22 and the Flying Scot don't have the creature comforts to keep the crew happy. I am getting an emphatic nudge for creature comforts from the other half of my crew. If anyone has any more thoughts, let me know what is on your mind.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">Remember, the Mac is a power boat with a mast. You'll be dissappointed with its sailing performance and, likely, its power boat performance. Are there many houseboats on that lake? Sounds like a good choice for the crew.

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Skipper Paul
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Response Posted - 07/18/2012 : 07:37:08

Two comments....lest I wander too far from the topic. To Paul: If you use the large zip ties at the base of your shrouds around the chainplate connection, it will hold the T-bars in position so they never get twisted. The zips do have to be replaced once a season.

Second comment: The "Centerboard" on the Mac 26X is not a "Daggerboard" it is a "swing Centerboard" that swings up or is pulled into the trunk for downwind sailing or if an object is struck. It is also handy for low tide beaching. The Mac 26M has a true daggerboard which does not swing up when struck, although it does not seem to be a problem for these owners.

I think that practice, preparation, and routine and of course working with your crew is key to set-up for trailerables. I have heard claims of 15 minutes which may resemble a Indianapolis 500 pit stop, to 4 hours of misery, I don't think I want either. Learning and using mast raising systems which most have, may be key to success also.

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