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Offthegrid said..
Careful Sam, everyone is entitled to an opinion also. Yes Cisco is a respected member for sure but maybe he doesn't know EVERYTHING.
for others suggesting it's not a good idea, Steve in the Mac might have the most awesome trip with careful planning for sure. Who says he won't have water and fuel heli dropped to him every week? I'm not saying I'd do the trip but for a senior member who knows nothing about the boat he's going in or the planning he will do to make it happen is a bit premature To ****can it.
And yes MB , Mark Richards in flash WO XI will still be relying on local rescue if it all turns to **** and his boat breaks along the new join...I've just read that the Syd-hba race is expecting a crap forecast but these fools with too much money and ego are going to go ahead as scheduled. go figure.,

well said Offthegrid well said cheers

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SandS said..

ok now i will start assuming stuff !! So assuming you are going to have some one drive over to Sydney with the trailer and then drive back to Perth towing the boat .....

why not drive that little bit further and tow the boat all the way around Aus . Then you can use the vessel as it was intended when designed . Drop her in tour around bay or waterway .... slip her back on and go to the next spot .

almost the same road miles but see the whole country .


as an innocent bystander , i think the no,s have it in the, can it be done stakes !!

No no no if i wanted that i would of got a flat bottom caravan boat ? cheers

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RiffRaff said..
Well I have done the trip down the WA coast, It was in May and the only part of the trip I did not like was from Exmouth down.
Cray pots, big swell , cold, in general **.
North of Exmouth it is in general calm and warm , cyclones excepted of course.
You can day hop but the issue is provisioning, I am no fan of the McGregor bit I think it can be done. Beyond Broome to Darwin you have one fuel stop at Dampier Broome Bay but make sure you book ahead.
It is a magnificent place to sail and I understand why you would want to do it.
Be careful across the gulf this is your furtherest point from land and it can get choppy and uncomfortable.
The average distance between townships is 80 to 100 miles between Perth and Broome so be prepared. Beyond that it is 800 miles of nothing all the way to Darwin.
Then it is another 300 miles plus to Gove into headwind and another 350 miles plus from Gove to Thursday Island. Just when you thought is was over it is 400 mile from TI to Cook town (Beautiful Place by the way)
I enjoyed every minute of it but I was in a Cat A 40 ft boat
Funny how the same people commend a guy who wants to do Sydney to Whitsundays in a 14ft Hobbie cat but cannot understand someone wanting to do the same in a McGregor.
Enjoy it, just make sure you plan.
By the way there is no sea rescue beyond Exmouth so do not include it in the equation

THANKS RiffRaff
that is good to know i have been having a close look at fuel and water ,would loved to get a cat but out of reach at the moment .your right about some people they amuse me to refering to the bit about the hobie cat ( Maybe because it wasnt built or named Macgregor ) lmao .Thanks for the input mate cheers

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Jolene said..
Sounds like a Big Mac Attack to me ...

HHHHMMMMM sounds a bit like that ? cheers

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Jolene said..

stevetheadven said..
Gday Krusty i plan on sailing it back to ,at least ill have all the currents going my way cheers

We're planning on a trip to Darwin at around the same time if all goes to plan. Maybe we could keep an ear and eye out for each other along the way. ?

awesome

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cisco said..

Are we all on the same page here???

This is a Macgregor 26.


Looks like a fine vessel for extended coastal cruising but I do not think that or any other outboard motor is going to get it up on the plane.

http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/macgregor-26/170410

u a funny man cheers

It looks like you have agreed with everyone who agreed with you. Sounds fair!
I agree, it is best you ignore the advice of the many experienced people on this forum. What would they know?

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stevetheadven said..

cisco said..

Are we all on the same page here???

This is a Macgregor 26.


Looks like a fine vessel for extended coastal cruising but I do not think that or any other outboard motor is going to get it up on the plane.

http://yachthub.com/list/yachts-for-sale/used/sail-monohulls/macgregor-26/170410

u a funny man cheers

Actually, Mcgregor did make more conventional boats, before he realised that 90% of the market wanted floating caravans

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MorningBird said..
It looks like you have agreed with everyone who agreed with you. Sounds fair!
I agree, it is best you ignore the advice of the many experienced people on this forum. What would they know?

Gday Morningbird
not really still weighing up the pros and the cons and i think that people on this forum under estimate what these macgregors r truly capable of ,it is just a bit hard to accept when people have not actually stepped foot on or have actually sailed one. When people have been on or sailed 1 then they hold a lot more credibility with me ,on saying that i am listening intently to peoples opinions including yours
cheers

Steve,
I think the most common thread amongst those expressing concern is just how seriously things can go wrong offshore, without the extra stress of a hostile coastline.
I once did a return on a tough as nails 44' ocean going boat that was impeccably prepped when we got hit by 60knots and huge seas. We had everything going for us experienced crew and a true ocean capable boat, but the mainsail cars jammed when we were trying to put up the trisail and it took us hours to get her sorted. It continued like this for 36 hours.
The upshot was we survived , but the entire crew was absolutely shattered to the point we had the helmsman falling asleep at the wheel, we ended up 100 miles to leeward (thank God there was no leeward coastline) and a boat behind us (another tough as nails 40'er) lost his keel and turned turtle, prompting a major rescue effort.

The only thing that got us through was the boat, the skipper and the meticulous preparation work that went into it.

You may get a perfect voyage, and I know I sound like a cantankerous old fart, but the ominous warnings are only because when you're offshore things can go seriously bad, and truly terrifying very quickly, regardless of how much weather checking yo do before hand. The Mac not being designed for this sort of work just starts you off behind the 8 ball, hence the strong reactions by some.

For reference, the owner of the boat I allude to was the principle navigator on the old Aussie legend Apollo, he religiously checked weather forecasts and routing and we still got horribly smashed. I still remember him doing an 8 hour stint on the helm in the thick of the storm as literally everyone else was too exhausted, it was the most masterful feat of seamanship I had ever seen, and hope never to see again.

Not trying to be negative for the sake of it mate, just trying to provide some advice as you first requested.
SB

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stevetheadven said...

MorningBird said..
It looks like you have agreed with everyone who agreed with you. Sounds fair!
I agree, it is best you ignore the advice of the many experienced people on this forum. What would they know?

Gday Morningbird
not really still weighing up the pros and the cons and i think that people on this forum under estimate what these macgregors r truly capable of ,it is just a bit hard to accept when people have not actually stepped foot on or have actually sailed one. When people have been on or sailed 1 then they hold a lot more credibility with me ,on saying that i am listening intently to peoples opinions including yours
cheers

Steve, I don't need to know your boat in detail to know this is a foolish endeavour. I have been at sea in big ships and in yachts and know what it is like in a big blow. I have seen forecasts 3 hours old disappear into gale force winds. Big winds and seas stress test the best boats and crews. The guys that got into trouble last week with fatal outcomes left port with forecasts they could cope with. It very quickly got a lot nastier. Your boat will break in these conditions. Your boat is not designed for these conditions and you cannot avoid them.
Not all but many of those here saying go for it do not know what it can be like offshore when you can't run for cover.
Would you do the trip without a epirb, PLB, radio and life raft. If not, you shouldn't go.

I met a guy in Charleville who was traveling around Aus towing a magregor 26
I thought it was a perfect boat for what he was doing. He sailed many inland waterways and sheltered coastal areas and was having a great adventure
Nearly every boat is better at doing one thing than any other boat. I think this guy found the sweet spot for his M 26

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MorningBird said...
Would you do the trip without a epirb, PLB, radio and life raft. If not, you shouldn't go.

Would you take MB to LH without an epirb, PLB, radio and life raft? If not, you shouldn't go.

I know what your saying MB, but in this case you missed the mark

Steve, it is obvious you have never experienced bad weather in the open ocean. I am not talking 1mt chop and 30 knots, It is not uncommon to get a 3 to 4 mt short sea and breaking tops with tide against wind and 35 to 40 knots of wind. Myself and many other sailers on this forum have experienced these conditions and have expressed their concerns. Your boat was not designed for and will not survive these conditions for any period of time. I know a couple of blokes who did not have a lot of sailing experience but were in a sound 36' boat and were sailing in these conditions, they were so scared that they ended up on the cabin floor praying. Fortunately their boat got them through it. If they were in your boat they would be dead. From what I can see you are relying on nothing but luck to have good weather. Only a fool goes to sea relying on luck.
Do what the boat was designed for, trail it to a port, go out and have a great day or even an over night or two if the weather is ok, come back and put it on the trailer and move on to the next port and do it all again. If the weather is crap, you will have a far better nights sleep with the boat on the trailer.

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stevetheadven said..

byf said..
Sounds like the trip of a lifetime. Go for it Steve.

cheers byf got to at least have a look /

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Jode5 said..
Steve, it is obvious you have never experienced bad weather in the open ocean. I am not talking 1mt chop and 30 knots, It is not uncommon to get a 3 to 4 mt short sea and breaking tops with tide against wind and 35 to 40 knots of wind. Myself and many other sailers on this forum have experienced these conditions and have expressed their concerns. Your boat was not designed for and will not survive these conditions for any period of time. I know a couple of blokes who did not have a lot of sailing experience but were in a sound 36' boat and were sailing in these conditions, they were so scared that they ended up on the cabin floor praying. Fortunately their boat got them through it. If they were in your boat they would be dead. From what I can see you are relying on nothing but luck to have good weather. Only a fool goes to sea relying on luck.
Do what the boat was designed for, trail it to a port, go out and have a great day or even an over night or two if the weather is ok, come back and put it on the trailer and move on to the next port and do it all again. If the weather is crap, you will have a far better nights sleep with the boat on the trailer.

Gday Jode5
your right on the part of i have never experienced those type of conditions and never want to bytheway. however on the part of luck ,i don't believe in luck ,i do believe in good planning and still doing my research ,thanks for your input
cheers

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Shaggybaxter said..
Steve,
I think the most common thread amongst those expressing concern is just how seriously things can go wrong offshore, without the extra stress of a hostile coastline.
I once did a return on a tough as nails 44' ocean going boat that was impeccably prepped when we got hit by 60knots and huge seas. We had everything going for us experienced crew and a true ocean capable boat, but the mainsail cars jammed when we were trying to put up the trisail and it took us hours to get her sorted. It continued like this for 36 hours.
The upshot was we survived , but the entire crew was absolutely shattered to the point we had the helmsman falling asleep at the wheel, we ended up 100 miles to leeward (thank God there was no leeward coastline) and a boat behind us (another tough as nails 40'er) lost his keel and turned turtle, prompting a major rescue effort.

The only thing that got us through was the boat, the skipper and the meticulous preparation work that went into it.

You may get a perfect voyage, and I know I sound like a cantankerous old fart, but the ominous warnings are only because when you're offshore things can go seriously bad, and truly terrifying very quickly, regardless of how much weather checking yo do before hand. The Mac not being designed for this sort of work just starts you off behind the 8 ball, hence the strong reactions by some.

For reference, the owner of the boat I allude to was the principle navigator on the old Aussie legend Apollo, he religiously checked weather forecasts and routing and we still got horribly smashed. I still remember him doing an 8 hour stint on the helm in the thick of the storm as literally everyone else was too exhausted, it was the most masterful feat of seamanship I had ever seen, and hope never to see again.

Not trying to be negative for the sake of it mate, just trying to provide some advice as you first requested.
SB

GDAY Shaggybaxter
same initials as mine ,i reckon i read your post at least 5 or 6 times to truly appreciate the depth of it sounds horrifying to say the least

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Toph said..

MorningBird said...
Would you do the trip without a epirb, PLB, radio and life raft. If not, you shouldn't go.

Would you take MB to LH without an epirb, PLB, radio and life raft? If not, you shouldn't go.

I know what your saying MB, but in this case you missed the mark

Yes I would. I have fallback options when things go bad, my planning doesn't include needing to call for help. This voyage is obviously relying on outsiders help if it turns to custard.

Hello Stevetheadven

have you thought about leaving this particular adventure for another time, another boat?

Perhaps go and have some fun in the Mac, justify your purchase of it and do - what has been repeated ad nauseum - what this boat was intended for. And the more you get out there, the more experience you gain.

As well as very experienced people on this forum offering their first-hand experiences, anecdotes and advice, since starting your thread the Forum has had threads running discussing the loss of far too many fellow sailors. I really hope you're reading these as well and appreciate that the advice given in your thread is not bagging out on you, it's concern for your life and wellbeing. I don't know you but I do not want to see you dead or in pain.

At the end of the day, it's January. Your ETD of April is looming. Planning and preparation for a trip such as yours takes more time than that...for ANY boat, even if it were the most suitable boat for that type of remote adventure.

The area you're planning on transiting through (because you would need months not 2 weeks to truly adventure and experience it) is hostile, remote and merciless. Are you, as an individual, truly up for that? I think you need to do a little soul-searching there...away from ego and peer-pressure. Note: I'm concerned for your life.

All the very best
Trace

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theselkie said..
Hello Stevetheadven

have you thought about leaving this particular adventure for another time, another boat?

Perhaps go and have some fun in the Mac, justify your purchase of it and do - what has been repeated ad nauseum - what this boat was intended for. And the more you get out there, the more experience you gain.

As well as very experienced people on this forum offering their first-hand experiences, anecdotes and advice, since starting your thread the Forum has had threads running discussing the loss of far too many fellow sailors. I really hope you're reading these as well and appreciate that the advice given in your thread is not bagging out on you, it's concern for your life and wellbeing. I don't know you but I do not want to see you dead or in pain.

At the end of the day, it's January. Your ETD of April is looming. Planning and preparation for a trip such as yours takes more time than that...for ANY boat, even if it were the most suitable boat for that type of remote adventure.

The area you're planning on transiting through (because you would need months not 2 weeks to truly adventure and experience it) is hostile, remote and merciless. Are you, as an individual, truly up for that? I think you need to do a little soul-searching there...away from ego and peer-pressure. Note: I'm concerned for your life.

All the very best
Trace

A different but very relevant take on the issue. Well said.

Ah, Steve, I feel your pain. Divorce is never easy.

It all started so beautifully, she was young, bright, desirable, and satisfied your every need. She took you to places you'd never been, gave you experiences that satisfied your wildest desires. She lept in the air at the touch of your fingertips, and you danced together across dappled sunsets. You still love her, but now, you have grown, and you want a different experience. Losing her will hurt. You loved her so much, and you still love her, but now you have new desires and needs.

Perhaps now is the time to part, and let her give the same pleasure to another man, while you seek a new lady which will satisfy your latest desires. An older lady, perhaps not so light and pretty, but strong and trustworthy, and one that will look after you when trouble strikes. One that will hold you in her bosom, and protect you when you are feeling awful. One that may not provide the dazzling delights of youth, and the vibrating pleasures of speed and power, but one that will slowly take you to new heights and new adventures and new challenges.

Take heart young Steve, do the deed, and move forward to your adventure with a new lady who will be there when you really need her.

The 7 'P's.. I get it (proper pre-planing prevents a piss poor passage)

MorningBird

Knowbody should be forgiven for leaving port with a "I'll just call for help" mindset. I am a planer to a fault. But I actually enjoy that process. I don't know if I would be comfortable without the items you mentioned above on a passage of the likes you do. Does that mean I shouldn't do it??? I wouldn't think so. That just says to me you have planned well for an emergency. I read your statement as you have no right to be making such a passage.

If if your system is so fail safe (and some of us here have obviously missed it or don't have the experience to have figured it out), then that knowledge should be shared. At least make it into an ebook and charge for it. I promise I will purchase the first copy.

Hoestly, I don't know why this thread is still being fed.... Steve came on here asking for opinions and it was made apparent within the first to pages (know matter the opinions for or against) that he was not going to listen. I don't care if he does it or not. I hope he doesn't but thousands of people do more foolish things every day, most make it and some don't.

Steve, you came here looking for opinions and you got it, and fairly clearly I may add.

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Yara said..
Ah, Steve, I feel your pain. Divorce is never easy.

It all started so beautifully, she was young, bright, desirable, and satisfied your every need. She took you to places you'd never been, gave you experiences that satisfied your wildest desires. She lept in the air at the touch of your fingertips, and you danced together across dappled sunsets. You still love her, but now, you have grown, and you want a different experience. Losing her will hurt. You loved her so much, and you still love her, but now you have new desires and needs.

Perhaps now is the time to part, and let her give the same pleasure to another man, while you seek a new lady which will satisfy your latest desires. An older lady, perhaps not so light and pretty, but strong and trustworthy, and one that will look after you when trouble strikes. One that will hold you in her bosom, and protect you when you are feeling awful. One that may not provide the dazzling delights of youth, and the vibrating pleasures of speed and power, but one that will slowly take you to new heights and new adventures and new challenges.

Take heart young Steve, do the deed, and move forward to your new adventure with a lady who will be there when you really need her.

gday Yara
u crack me up ... BUT BUT BUT i dont want to divorce her just yet she is new , pretty, fast 22knots ,turns out she's just a bit soft she's beautiful lamo
cheers

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stevetheadven said..

Yara said..
Ah, Steve, I feel your pain. Divorce is never easy.

It all started so beautifully, she was young, bright, desirable, and satisfied your every need. She took you to places you'd never been, gave you experiences that satisfied your wildest desires. She lept in the air at the touch of your fingertips, and you danced together across dappled sunsets. You still love her, but now, you have grown, and you want a different experience. Losing her will hurt. You loved her so much, and you still love her, but now you have new desires and needs.

Perhaps now is the time to part, and let her give the same pleasure to another man, while you seek a new lady which will satisfy your latest desires. An older lady, perhaps not so light and pretty, but strong and trustworthy, and one that will look after you when trouble strikes. One that will hold you in her bosom, and protect you when you are feeling awful. One that may not provide the dazzling delights of youth, and the vibrating pleasures of speed and power, but one that will slowly take you to new heights and new adventures and new challenges.

Take heart young Steve, do the deed, and move forward to your new adventure with a lady who will be there when you really need her.

gday Yara
u crack me up ... BUT BUT BUT i dont want to divorce her just yet she is new , pretty, fast 22knots ,turns out she's just a bit soft she's beautiful lamo
cheers

Then love her for what she is. Dont force her into places she does not want to go, and way out of her comfort zone. If you do, she may divorce you in a way that could be deadly....

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MorningBird said..

Toph said..

MorningBird said...
Would you do the trip without a epirb, PLB, radio and life raft. If not, you shouldn't go.

Would you take MB to LH without an epirb, PLB, radio and life raft? If not, you shouldn't go.

I know what your saying MB, but in this case you missed the mark

Yes I would. I have fallback options when things go bad, my planning doesn't include needing to call for help. This voyage is obviously relying on outsiders help if it turns to custard.

OMG Morningbird just interested if u would leave any port with out an epirb, plb , radio and life raft ?? Just curious what fallback options do u have ,even keel boats turn turtle too ?
that pretty little girl of mine has never left the trailer without all of these items strapped to her !
IM just interested actually intrigued i might learn something

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Yara said..

stevetheadven said..

Yara said..
Ah, Steve, I feel your pain. Divorce is never easy.

It all started so beautifully, she was young, bright, desirable, and satisfied your every need. She took you to places you'd never been, gave you experiences that satisfied your wildest desires. She lept in the air at the touch of your fingertips, and you danced together across dappled sunsets. You still love her, but now, you have grown, and you want a different experience. Losing her will hurt. You loved her so much, and you still love her, but now you have new desires and needs.

Perhaps now is the time to part, and let her give the same pleasure to another man, while you seek a new lady which will satisfy your latest desires. An older lady, perhaps not so light and pretty, but strong and trustworthy, and one that will look after you when trouble strikes. One that will hold you in her bosom, and protect you when you are feeling awful. One that may not provide the dazzling delights of youth, and the vibrating pleasures of speed and power, but one that will slowly take you to new heights and new adventures and new challenges.

Take heart young Steve, do the deed, and move forward to your new adventure with a lady who will be there when you really need her.

gday Yara
u crack me up ... BUT BUT BUT i dont want to divorce her just yet she is new , pretty, fast 22knots ,turns out she's just a bit soft she's beautiful lamo
cheers

Then love her for what she is. Dont force her into places she does not want to go, and way out of her comfort zone. If you do, she may divorce you in a way that could be deadly....

Your good Yara your good cheers

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theselkie said..
Hello Stevetheadven

have you thought about leaving this particular adventure for another time, another boat?

Perhaps go and have some fun in the Mac, justify your purchase of it and do - what has been repeated ad nauseum - what this boat was intended for. And the more you get out there, the more experience you gain.

As well as very experienced people on this forum offering their first-hand experiences, anecdotes and advice, since starting your thread the Forum has had threads running discussing the loss of far too many fellow sailors. I really hope you're reading these as well and appreciate that the advice given in your thread is not bagging out on you, it's concern for your life and wellbeing. I don't know you but I do not want to see you dead or in pain.

At the end of the day, it's January. Your ETD of April is looming. Planning and preparation for a trip such as yours takes more time than that...for ANY boat, even if it were the most suitable boat for that type of remote adventure.

The area you're planning on transiting through (because you would need months not 2 weeks to truly adventure and experience it) is hostile, remote and merciless. Are you, as an individual, truly up for that? I think you need to do a little soul-searching there...away from ego and peer-pressure. Note: I'm concerned for your life.

All the very best
Trace

HI Trace thanks for joining in just to clarify will take months and in no real hurry there is no time limit at all. I thank u for input cheers

Dirty weather and lee shores shows no bias, earlier this week pics were released of the TP52 M3 after the Pittwater to Coffs race. She was heading home when in adverse conditions she forced ashore at Seal Rocks. Crew abandoned ship when she succumbed to the breakers and got off without injury, thank God.
The Marine Rescue guys were rolled, knocked down twice, one crewman injured trying to attempt a line then rescue as M3 went into the breakers.



The yacht was returning from Coffs when she ran into difficulties, result being they were drifting/being pulled NW at speeds up to 7-8 knots, with no power or steerage, resulting in a chase up the coast for emergency services.

There but for the grace of god....look how close they were to the Seal Rocks in the second shot. Remember, no steerage. The Marine Rescue guys reported getting rolled by a 4M+ swell, a difference of a few hundred metres and that million dollar boat could be matchwood about now, and more crew would have been injured.



Shows none of us are immune from the dangers of sailing off coastlines, and it does happen.

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Yara said..

stevetheadven said..

Yara said..
Ah, Steve, I feel your pain. Divorce is never easy.

It all started so beautifully, she was young, bright, desirable, and satisfied your every need. She took you to places you'd never been, gave you experiences that satisfied your wildest desires. She lept in the air at the touch of your fingertips, and you danced together across dappled sunsets. You still love her, but now, you have grown, and you want a different experience. Losing her will hurt. You loved her so much, and you still love her, but now you have new desires and needs.

Perhaps now is the time to part, and let her give the same pleasure to another man, while you seek a new lady which will satisfy your latest desires. An older lady, perhaps not so light and pretty, but strong and trustworthy, and one that will look after you when trouble strikes. One that will hold you in her bosom, and protect you when you are feeling awful. One that may not provide the dazzling delights of youth, and the vibrating pleasures of speed and power, but one that will slowly take you to new heights and new adventures and new challenges.

Take heart young Steve, do the deed, and move forward to your new adventure with a lady who will be there when you really need her.

gday Yara
u crack me up ... BUT BUT BUT i dont want to divorce her just yet she is new , pretty, fast 22knots ,turns out she's just a bit soft she's beautiful lamo
cheers

Then love her for what she is. Dont force her into places she does not want to go, and way out of her comfort zone. If you do, she may divorce you in a way that could be deadly....

lmao u sound o.k cheers

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Shaggybaxter said..
Dirty weather and lee shores shows no bias, earlier this week pics were released of the TP52 M3 after the Pittwater to Coffs race. She was heading home when in adverse conditions she forced ashore at Seal Rocks. Crew abandoned ship when she succumbed to the breakers and got off without injury, thank God.
The Marine Rescue guys were rolled, knocked down twice, one crewman injured trying to attempt a line then rescue as M3 went into the breakers.



The yacht was returning from Coffs when she ran into difficulties, result being they were drifting/being pulled NW at speeds up to 7-8 knots, with no power or steerage, resulting in a chase up the coast for emergency services.

There but for the grace of god....look how close they were to the Seal Rocks in the second shot. Remember, no steerage. The Marine Rescue guys reported getting rolled by a 4M+ swell, a difference of a few hundred metres and that million dollar boat could be matchwood about now, and more crew would have been injured.



Shows none of us are immune from the dangers of sailing off coastlines, and it does happen.

HELLO SB
bloody hell cant get over how far presuming that it washed up that far on the beach i agree it could of been a hell of a lot worse,and no real injuries makes it a good news story. Thanks for the info and pictures mate cheers