Can one cross the Atlantic ocean on a Macgregor 26 sailboat?

Question

If so, what would be the best route to take so to reduce the longest continues stretch of open water? Is that the best strategy? How long will it take? Is going West to East, East to West requires different routes? When is the best time to do it? Is a boat of that type likely to sink/break from the sea forces alone or only by striking a solid object? Is it conceivable to evade developing bad weather by simply motoring/sailing away in another direction? Can one weather out a storm by lowering sails and tying down everything on deck, then taking a snooze until its over, assuming you are in the middle of the ocean and aren't likely to strike anything? What would be the most affordable sailboat that you would recommend for such a journey if this one isn't ideal? I've read somewhere that smaller boats are actually stronger than larger boats and that the larger boat mentality is propagated by the boating industry to make more money, is that true? Any other information would be appreciated.

Answer 1

No.  The Macgregor 26 would be perhaps the worst choice for crossing an ocean.

Answer 2

The rig and keel design of the Mac 26 are not intended to endure the conditions in the open ocean. The boat is good at what it is designed for ... motoring and sailing in protected and inland waters.  You might make major modifications to strengthen the boat ... but you would better off putting the money into a Flicka or similar boat if you want to make a crossing in a boat of that size.

Answer 3

You are asking for a lot of information here.  For sure you need to seek advice of seasoned sailors, people who have done blue water sailing in small boats.

You could cross the Atlantic in a Macgregor 26 - people have crossed the Atlantic in dories and other types of rowboats, so it is possible.  If you were very lucky, the crossing might even be relatively uneventful, though that is unlikely.  We did blue water sailing in an Ericson 35, a much heavier and stronger boat than a Macgregor.  

In going west to east many people use the Azores as the first stop - you avoid the more northerly part of the north Atlantic, which is unpredictable at the best of times.   You want to avoid hurricane season and mid-winter, so spring seems to be the time to start out.

In terms of riding out a storm, we hove to and rode out weather, but we kept watch.  You may not find that it is possible to take a snooze until it is over.  There will probably be all kinds of things that need attention, and you do not want to get run over by a bigger boat.

Go to sailnet.com and begin communicating with people there.  They will be able to help you with these questions, and many others that will come up as you explore this topic.  Best of luck with your plans.

Answer 4

No No NO.  MacGregors are smooh water floating caravans.  It is probably possible but do so at your own risk.

Answer 5

your looking for way to much info from a site like this. there are magazines and forums dedicated to those endeavors

Answer 6

I could not possibly even think of a worst cantidate for an oceanic crossing. However, you would make an excellent cantidate for the Darwin Awards. Anyone who so much as buys a Mac 26 deserves whats coming to them, let alone trying to do something incredibly stupid. If you do go, make sure to power the whole way, if you go at 15 knots, you will get there faster so it will certainly be safer. You might have to carry alot of fuel, but you can dedicate the water tank to gasoline if need be (its only a few days... who needs water?) Your worst problem would be if you had to beat to weather to get to one ocean or another, you would likely just wallow sideways and end up blown onto one continent or another- kinda like Columbus... Next time the question comes up, what would Columbus sail, be sure to respond "a Mac 26"

Answer 7

I have a friend who crossed the Atlantic in a 14' boat.  That's a bit too small for me.  

If you want to cross an ocean in a small boat it has to be a well made boat.  A MacGregor is not very well made, or very strong.

There is a race called the mini-transat in which people race 21' boats across the Atlantic.  The boats are built specially for that purpose but even some of them don't make it.

Try starting out by getting positions as crew on other peoples boats.  You get the same adventure, see the same places but don't have the cost or the worry.  

You will go further, learn more, and have more fun as crew on a well run boat.