Mac 26x

[owlmtn]

Every sailing board I''ve ever seen has periodic subjects dealing with these awful boats. There was a recent tragedy on Lake Champlain that illustrates just how poor these vessels are. A family and friends, 8 adults and three children, we''re watching the fireworks about a mile off shore in dead calm waters, unbelievably the boat capsized and turned turtle, drowning two of the children. Certainly 11 people on a 26 footer is quite a few, but it would be next to impossible to capsize a decent boat under those circumstances. So if you''re in the market for a sailboat please buy a sailboat, if you want a powerboat buy one of those and if you want both you''re going to have to buy both. Jim L

[Denr]

While I would never defend the construction of a MacGregor nor would I suggest that anyone on this planet buy one, it would appear that this boat had on board, more passengers than it was designed to safely transport. If the average adult weighed 150 lb for example (1200 lb) and those passengers were grouped on one side of the vessel, I could easily imagine how this could negatively affect the vessel''s balance and cause the boat to capsize.

I think the lesson to be learned here is, know the passenger capacity of your vessel and see to it that each person has a PFD. Not knowing more facts about this situation other than those given in the post above, it appears as if the skipper was negligent.

[VIEXILE]

The guy was charged with operating under the influence. I think I saw the story at www.boston.com in the regional news section.

[rbh1515]

All of the points made are good ones.
I have a 26 foot sailboat. Its a Colgate 26. Last summer a Colgate 26 was hit broadside by a large motor boat traveling at a high rate of speed. The impact practically broke the boat in two, but because the Colgate has positive flotation it did not sink and I heard the sailors were OK. One of the reasons I bought the Colgate was the positive flotation. Also it sails great and flys past most other sailboats including of course a Mac26. It has a huge 13 foot cockpit and with 7 people on board (the maximum recomended) there is still plenty of room in the cockpit to stretch out.
www.colgate26.com
Rob