MacGregor 26X

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robertt

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Hi, I am new to this forum.
I just wanted to ask if anyone has experience of the MacGregor 26X? There is one for sale locally. I would like to get into sailing next season and my dream is to sail round the West Coast of Scotland and visit a few islands, eg Islay, Mull, Colonsay. I have read a lot of mixed comments about this boat and wondered if it would be up to the task of island hopping?
Obviously other variables need to be considered such as the competency of skipper and crew, preparations and conditions, but is the boat itself suitable for these sorts of excursions?
Any advice and wisdom gratefully received

Robert
 
I would be nervous about one in open seas that are as exposed as the West Coast of Scotland. They are a fun trailer sailer for rivers, estuaries and possibly sheltered coastal waters, and there are not too many other yachts that can pull a water skier, but they are light on ballast and I would not be confident in one in heavy weather.
 
Ask yourself would something concieved for the American lakes be suitable for the wilds of Scotland. Well perhaps, if you kept to Loch Lomond....

There are far more suitable boats available, at probably less cost. Also, you won't get sneered at by both the MoBo and Raggie fraternity.
 
robertt said:
Hi, I am new to this forum.
I just wanted to ask if anyone has experience of the MacGregor 26X? There is one for sale locally. I would like to get into sailing next season and my dream is to sail round the West Coast of Scotland and visit a few islands, eg Islay, Mull, Colonsay. I have read a lot of mixed comments about this boat and wondered if it would be up to the task of island hopping?
Obviously other variables need to be considered such as the competency of skipper and crew, preparations and conditions, but is the boat itself suitable for these sorts of excursions?
Any advice and wisdom gratefully received

Robert
Click to expand...
Hi Robert

If I were you, I'd do a search of the forums.. :D

I think its fair to say that there are plenty of opinions on the MacGregor.. :eek:

They are at best a compromise, i.e. a hull that planes is not the same as that of a seaworthy yacht. As Maby says, probably not the best boat for a rough sea. However like any small boat, if you watch the weather you can have fun.

I'm sure a few more comments will be along shortly :D
 
It is Category C estuary and coastal waters. Probably not a good choice for your purpose. Penty of small seaworthy boats available that would be suitable.

Ther is little wrong with the boat in the right context, but the compromises to get trailabilty and high performance under power inevitably limit its capability as an offshore cruiser.
 
northwind said:
Hi Robert

...

I'm sure a few more comments will be along shortly :D
Click to expand...

Undoubtedly - and probably not particularly unbiassed in either direction. They are fun boats and decent value provided you understand their limitations. Trouble is that, in the location you are suggesting, those limitations are likely to be severe.

In a force 3 or 4 with calm seas, they are perfectly safe and should skip along nicely. Fine for summer sailing round the Thames Estuary or the Solent, but they really don't have much in reserve if the weather turns bad so in a location such as the West Coast, you are going to spend long periods not daring to leave the harbour because the weather can be so changeable. A deep keeled 26 foot yacht will have a lot more in reserve, so you can risk sticking your nose beyond the harbour walls even if there is a risk of a 7 or 8 later in the day.
 
Certainly a different take on Sailing but as others have said, no doubt quite fun in their own right.
Personally I would sail them a little differently from a normal yacht, in the sense that I would sail up until moderate conditions but if it looked particulary dodgy, i'd use it's speed under motor to get back to port, rather than ploughing through the rough stuff (as I would in a normal yacht)

Definitely a lot of fun in the right conditions though and far better than some would make out.
 
robertt said:
Hi, I am new to this forum.
I just wanted to ask if anyone has experience of the MacGregor 26X? There is one for sale locally. I would like to get into sailing next season and my dream is to sail round the West Coast of Scotland and visit a few islands, eg Islay, Mull, Colonsay. I have read a lot of mixed comments about this boat and wondered if it would be up to the task of island hopping?
Obviously other variables need to be considered such as the competency of skipper and crew, preparations and conditions, but is the boat itself suitable for these sorts of excursions?
Any advice and wisdom gratefully received

Robert
Click to expand...

There have been casualties with it.
 
There's a few on Windermere. They seem very tender. I understand even on the lakes in the USA a popular mod is a ballasted lift keel to help with stability. (some of the Great Lakes can be a quite blowy. They are pretty big after all.)
 
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