Horses for courses - MacGregor 26

[Dutch01527]

I recently bought a MacGregor 26X despite reading all the warnings on this and other forums. I thought that it might be interesting to share some observations.

Good Points
- Flexibility. We live in Worcestershire next to the River Severn. We have a pontoon on the River and use the boat as a motor boat when at home. We have also had long weekends away sailing in Windermere, Cardiff, Milford Haven, DartMouth and Salcombe in the last two months
- Interior space
- Low draft for creek crawling and beaching
- Easy to sail and maintain
- Safety - yes safety- it is foam filled so unsinkable and rights it's self if knocked down. This assumes that the water ballast is full which it always is when my boat is not on the trailer. I know I that the need to fill the ballast is cited as a danger because it can be forgotten but I do no understand that thinking. Any boat is dangerous if you forget to close the hatches, isolate the gas, reduce sail when needed, check the rigging / weather /charts etc. It also has a 50hp engine and a 5hp auxiliary that make getting out of trouble easier and quicker
- Reasonable sailing performance - I do not claim that it is good but it is not bad. Last week we were sailing off Dartmouth / Brixham in about 12 to 15 knots and a gentle sea state. We maintained 4 to 5 knots close hauled at about 45/50 (apparent) degrees and 6 knots running downwind. Not going to win any cups but enough to enjoy the day. That is comparable with a bigger, heavy displacement yacht such as a Tradewinds 33 from memory.

Bad Points

Ugly - can not be denied that it is not a beauty
Light and loose rigging - I am half way through upgrading the rigging to make it stronger and more adjustable. The base set up is much too loose imho because of the need to step the mast frequently. Adding turnbuckles, adjustable back stay and boom vang has made a massive difference
Cheap finish - corners have been cut to save weight and cost but nothing that a bit of DIY will not fix
Restricted range - I would not take the boat away from the coast. It is too light to risk a major weather shift. I had it out in a unexpected force 6 gusting 7 in Cardiff Bay for an hour (no waves) and it did not feel dangerous it was just almost impossible to sail effectively albeit I was over powered and was not happy to reef because I was solo and my furler was faulty.

In conclusion it is the wrong boat for extended cruising, racing, ocean crossing or keeping in one local location.

However, it could be the right boat for people with limited time who want to enjoy day sailing in many glorious locations.

Just for he record whilst not an expert I am not new to sailing/boats as seems to be the common perception of MacGregor owners. I am a ex Merchant Navy Officer with 30 years of sailing experience, mainly as racing crew coastal and offshore.

 

[dom]

Hi Dutch,

What an excellent and informative first post ...welcome to the forum!

I've no idea how a detailed McGregor review slipped beneath the collective radar, so perhaps you might like to add stealth capabilities to your the list of good points

 

[wipe_out]

Great review.. I have always been intrigued by the MacGregor 26 as a dual purpose boat.. Pity there hasn't been more development in this direction because I am sure there is still a market for something like this..

 

[duncan99210]

Back before I retired and we became live aboards, I looked long and hard at the MacGregor. I share many of the views of the OP, especially in terms of being able to take the boat easily by road to wherever and go sailing. I also agree that it is not a pretty boat and I wasn't keen on the lack of side decks past the coach house. All that said, I decided not to sell the mobo I had then and replace it with the MacGregor as I felt it wasn't suitable for our main location at the time on the Menai. The decision was based on knowing that we wouldn't make as much use of the trailability of the boat as once launched and on our mooring it would tend to stay there for the majority of the season...... And having seen a McGregor having a difficult time off Puffin Island I decided to stick with the Hardy Pilot.

 

[dylanwinter]

I would be v happy to own and sail one

light enough to tow

big enough to live in

fast enoough to run away from the bad weather before it hits you

get those long windless powered schleps over and done with quicker

a day at four knots under power is one of the dullest and most annoying things us shit box sailors ever experience

all films about Macs get big hits

D

 

[DanTribe]

It's not my sort of boat but I can understand the attraction.
We were beating out of the Blackwater one evening and we quickly caught and passed a Macgregor, obviously starting to struggle in the rising breeze. Boy, did we feel smug!
Soon after, he dropped his sails, started the umpteen HP outboard and zoomed off the the East.
We arrived in Brightlingsea after dark and a bit damp to see the Macgregor tied up and the occupants were probably in the pub for an hour past.
We didn't feel so smug then.
I still like my old boat with it's lead mine keel though.

 

[pen2413]

And when the time comes to replace the engine, it is a simple DIY job which takes a couple of hours on the drive at home.

 

[rotrax]

This reminds me that there are no bad boats-some are just better than others.

It is a bit like Motorcycling-I have owned and worked on some real horrors in my time.

Jay Leno the Yank chat show host has a fabulous collection of current, classic, vintage and veteran motorbikes. He has more than enough disposable income to indulge his passion.

When asked " What is your favourite Motorcycle? " his answer is aways the same.

" The one I am riding when asked that question "

Great post-thank you.

 

[Dutch01527]

Back before I retired and we became live aboards, I looked long and hard at the MacGregor. I share many of the views of the OP, especially in terms of being able to take the boat easily by road to wherever and go sailing. I also agree that it is not a pretty boat and I wasn't keen on the lack of side decks past the coach house. All that said, I decided not to sell the mobo I had then and replace it with the MacGregor as I felt it wasn't suitable for our main location at the time on the Menai. The decision was based on knowing that we wouldn't make as much use of the trailability of the boat as once launched and on our mooring it would tend to stay there for the majority of the season...... And having seen a McGregor having a difficult time off Puffin Island I understand. decided to stick with the Hardy Pilot.

I would not buy one if I was close enough to a permanent mooring. The lack of side steps up to the upper deck is my major safety concern particular the step down back into the cockpit. Nobody goes forward of the cockpit on my boat in anything but calm conditions without experience, a tight life line and a life jacket. I have also fitted a grab handle on the sliding roof which helps a lot. For some who will use the trailorability though it gives great flexibility on sailing location. It also gives the ability to get back to sheltered waters quickly. When we were sailing back to Dale from South Haven, Skomer a couple of weeks ago we had strong wind over strong tide which made my fair weather sailor wife decidedly uncomfortable. We motored back which turned a 5 hour slog into a 1 hour blast.

 

[paul-essex]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6JZJwcym70

I like these ones Imexus or Odins

 

[Dutch01527]

So do I but they are about twice the price and I was not willing to pay c.£20k for a boat of this type. I missed out on a Odin 820 that was listed at c.£19k and then price dropped to c. £13k at a broker a few of months ago which was a shame. I would have paid the extra for the better quality.

 

[JumbleDuck]

If the MacGregor 26 was a bad boat it would not have sold more than any other design, ever.

 

[KINGFISHER 9]

Good for you! It's getting out there that's the important thing. I'm surprised that there are no comments from the pompous pretentious types that sometimes lurk here! I hope you have many happy times on your MacGregor.

 

[davidpbo]

We looked at them when we first bought a boat 15 years ago. For the sort of sailing we do, Lake based with occasional forays elsewhere it or similar would probably have suited us. My concern with water ballasted boats is the ballast tanks if left on a mooring. Would not be bothered if trailer sailing.

With the 26x the lack of hand holds going forward was a concern.

 

[Dutch01527]

We looked at them when we first bought a boat 15 ????????????years ago. For the sort of sailing we do, Lake based with occasional forays elsewhere it or similar would probably have suited us. My concern with water ballasted boats is the ballast tanks if left on a mooring. Would not be bothered if trailer sailing.

With the 26x the lack of hand holds going forward was a concern.

It is possible to empty the ballast tank on the water you motor above 8 mph with valves open or you can leave the ballast in and add chlorine tablets to control slime and growths. Not the best boat to be left on a swing mooring because of its lack of weight and high windage, they tend to swing more than most.

As mentioned I added two grab handles to the sliding hatch as hand holds. A furler and all control lines running back to the cockpit also help with foredeck access safety but it is still not ideal.