Malo37
Well-Known Member
With boats if it looks right it generally is - the M26 looks horrible
macgregor 26m
- Thread starter thomas1
- Start date
Seajet
...
Not even a 5 pint beauty
The few defenders of the Macgregor make much of its' format being 'unique'; one may ask, if it's such a good idea, why is no-one else doing it ?!
All sorts of problems with balance, not just physical but to the eye as well; internal water ballast is very ineffective at getting a boat to stand up to her sails, and a 50hp outboard is a huge weight just where one doesn't want it - it's also too heavy to easily take ashore, and very thirsty on fuel compared to a normal auxiliary engine; for the French canals I'd suggest a much smaller engine would be preferable, though the boat's seagoing deficiencies would otherwise be avoided.
I agree with the poster who said 'if it looks right it is right', this thing does not, and there isn't enough beer in the world to change that !
The few defenders of the Macgregor make much of its' format being 'unique'; one may ask, if it's such a good idea, why is no-one else doing it ?!
All sorts of problems with balance, not just physical but to the eye as well; internal water ballast is very ineffective at getting a boat to stand up to her sails, and a 50hp outboard is a huge weight just where one doesn't want it - it's also too heavy to easily take ashore, and very thirsty on fuel compared to a normal auxiliary engine; for the French canals I'd suggest a much smaller engine would be preferable, though the boat's seagoing deficiencies would otherwise be avoided.
I agree with the poster who said 'if it looks right it is right', this thing does not, and there isn't enough beer in the world to change that !
Kitcat
New Member
Some valid comments, but none that someone who knows a bit about the Macgregor would make. Of course, I think we would all acknowledge that 'beauty is in the eye of the beholder', so whilst not conventional in its' looks, mainly because it is a little narrower than a normal boat of its' length, because of the need to make it suitable to trail, and a little taller than many, because of the 5'11" standing headroom over most of the main saloon, it is shaped on the form follows function school of design.
I don't think anyone would deny that water ballast isn't perfect at helping the boat stand up against its sails, but given that it is a trailable sailboat, there is no other sort of ballast that can be dispensed with so quickly when needed, so you have a relatively light boat for towing, yet a boat that has enough ballast to sail, the other good point about water ballast is that when wanting to motor, the ballast can be dumped allowing the hull to ride higher and thus attain better speed.
Which of course brings us neatly around to the huge lump of iron hanging off the back. In most sailboats, the engine is mounted under the bridge deck, with either a propshaft or an outboard well, and if this weight is carried further back, as it would if a 60hp engine is hung off the transom, it will have an unsettling effect on weight distribution because the rear of the hull is fine to maximise speed through the water, however, when the underside of the rear hull is broadened and flattened, then it will not only support a heavier engine placed at the stern, but will also plane given the appropriate amount of power. It will only use a lot of fuel when used in this configuration, when cruising at 2000 or 3000 revs, it will be as economical as any other boat. I would of course agree that for the canals, a smaller engine would be the order of the day, something like a 10 -15hp would be more than adequate.
OK, this of course brings us onto your statement that if this was such a good idea then why does no-one else do it. Well, no less a company than Hunter have recently made an almost identical boat, check out their website and see what you think of their Edge - it's an ugly old thing too !
The last point I will make, if you are still reading this, is that the boat is unrivaled value for money. I won't go into figures, but I think I am correct in saying there is no other sailing boat that can match it for price, and given the low price, it is not surprising that fixtures and fittings are not exactly top quality, but they are all upgradeable. I would be interested in what other boats are in the same ball park, pricewise, let alone any cheaper.
Macgregors are not suitable for all people, but they have their place in the hierarchy and don't deserve some of the insulting comments that some ignorant people, who have never even sailed on one, let alone owned one, insist on making.
Paul
I don't think anyone would deny that water ballast isn't perfect at helping the boat stand up against its sails, but given that it is a trailable sailboat, there is no other sort of ballast that can be dispensed with so quickly when needed, so you have a relatively light boat for towing, yet a boat that has enough ballast to sail, the other good point about water ballast is that when wanting to motor, the ballast can be dumped allowing the hull to ride higher and thus attain better speed.
Which of course brings us neatly around to the huge lump of iron hanging off the back. In most sailboats, the engine is mounted under the bridge deck, with either a propshaft or an outboard well, and if this weight is carried further back, as it would if a 60hp engine is hung off the transom, it will have an unsettling effect on weight distribution because the rear of the hull is fine to maximise speed through the water, however, when the underside of the rear hull is broadened and flattened, then it will not only support a heavier engine placed at the stern, but will also plane given the appropriate amount of power. It will only use a lot of fuel when used in this configuration, when cruising at 2000 or 3000 revs, it will be as economical as any other boat. I would of course agree that for the canals, a smaller engine would be the order of the day, something like a 10 -15hp would be more than adequate.
OK, this of course brings us onto your statement that if this was such a good idea then why does no-one else do it. Well, no less a company than Hunter have recently made an almost identical boat, check out their website and see what you think of their Edge - it's an ugly old thing too !
The last point I will make, if you are still reading this, is that the boat is unrivaled value for money. I won't go into figures, but I think I am correct in saying there is no other sailing boat that can match it for price, and given the low price, it is not surprising that fixtures and fittings are not exactly top quality, but they are all upgradeable. I would be interested in what other boats are in the same ball park, pricewise, let alone any cheaper.
Macgregors are not suitable for all people, but they have their place in the hierarchy and don't deserve some of the insulting comments that some ignorant people, who have never even sailed on one, let alone owned one, insist on making.
Paul
jimmcgee
Well-Known Member
I have only ever seen one sailing boat upside down in the water , can you guess what make it was ?
, and I have the pics.
, and I have the pics.
Kitcat
New Member
Sadly there seem to be many people who aren't so sensible, and are happy to scorn the Macgregor without even having been aboard one, let alone having sailed one for a while.
It seems a shame to me that people are so ready to condemn things they know nothing or very little about.
It seems a shame to me that people are so ready to condemn things they know nothing or very little about.
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TSB240
Well-Known Member
Lazarus raised from the dead thread
Been done to death why bother.
Horses for courses. Marmite Boating....
Been done to death why bother.
Horses for courses. Marmite Boating....
Kitcat
New Member
OK then, that's fine
Skylark
Well-Known Member
There are a couple of them on moorings near me. Boy, do they dance on the water when the wind is in the wrong direction.
I looked at one many years ago simply because it was open and next to another boat that I wanted to see. I can understand their appeal but would (very respectfully) suggest that it's inexperience led.
But then I own a French made AWB and that's not everyone's cup of tea either.
I looked at one many years ago simply because it was open and next to another boat that I wanted to see. I can understand their appeal but would (very respectfully) suggest that it's inexperience led.
But then I own a French made AWB and that's not everyone's cup of tea either.
pagoda
Well-Known Member
I haven't sailed one, but seen them sailing once or twice. Slightly strange sterns - but they do appear to sail??
I almost wet myself at the thread title
Mentally conjuring up a 26 metre hull !!
3 x 250HP outboards ??
Wow. That would be some way to get back for closing time
Seajet
...
Rivers & creeks
Well-Known Member
Why is it a sign of "inexperience" to own a boat that's just right for your needs? We've known two people with them and the boat was perfect for them; one was a young family who trailer sailed and got to places it would take us a fortnight of passage making, the other was an older couple who enjoyed the lack of maintenance and get-you-home-before-tea motor. I very respectfully suggest that there's nothing like a chap's taste in yacht to bring out the snob - "nice if you like that sort of thing".
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SamSalter
Well-Known Member
I work part time for a Marina in Canada - Rocky Mountains in Alberta.
We are a Macgregor distributor and sell 10 or 20 a year. I fit them out with the customers requirements and do all the new add ons and maintenance.
I must admit I don't like them! I own a C&C - think Trapper.
However, If I'm honest, the guys that are out on the lake every weekend are the Macgregor owners. I think they get more enjoyment out of their boats than most other owners around here.
In my opinion, anything that gets people out on the water is a good thing. These boats have introduced a heck of a lot of newbies to sailing!
I was at the Macgregor factory in Costa Mesa, California last March, picking up out first demo for the season. Talking to Roger Macgregor, he tells me they have cut back production because of the recession, but they are still making 1 a day! 365 boats a year means you better get used to seeing them over there, 'cause N America is filling up fast!
sam
We are a Macgregor distributor and sell 10 or 20 a year. I fit them out with the customers requirements and do all the new add ons and maintenance.
I must admit I don't like them! I own a C&C - think Trapper.
However, If I'm honest, the guys that are out on the lake every weekend are the Macgregor owners. I think they get more enjoyment out of their boats than most other owners around here.
In my opinion, anything that gets people out on the water is a good thing. These boats have introduced a heck of a lot of newbies to sailing!
I was at the Macgregor factory in Costa Mesa, California last March, picking up out first demo for the season. Talking to Roger Macgregor, he tells me they have cut back production because of the recession, but they are still making 1 a day! 365 boats a year means you better get used to seeing them over there, 'cause N America is filling up fast!
sam
Alfie168
Well-Known Member
If you applied the logic of motorcars then who on earth would have bought a car with the engine mounted behind the rear wheels which imparted instability, which had swing axles that altered wheel camber unpredictably, that had a fuel tank that was the first thing to get hit in a crash, that had front wheels that locked under heavy braking as the front was too light etc etc etc. But I believe the VW Beetle sold moderately well..
Thus the McGregor may not satisfy any of the purer aspects of yotty design, but fulfills functions that a lot of people feel a need for. What is that saying "The Customer is Always Right". Who the hell is anyone to say they are wrong when most of the evidence suggests McGregor owners get as much fun out of their boating as anybody does. Attitudes on here from the antis often seem overladen with condescension.
Tim
Thus the McGregor may not satisfy any of the purer aspects of yotty design, but fulfills functions that a lot of people feel a need for. What is that saying "The Customer is Always Right". Who the hell is anyone to say they are wrong when most of the evidence suggests McGregor owners get as much fun out of their boating as anybody does. Attitudes on here from the antis often seem overladen with condescension.
Tim
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