MacGregor 26X

[Clyder]

Anybody have any practical knowledge of these boats? I have been faced with the following scenario: Fancy trying sailboat, need one thats trailerable, must be suitable for novice(no sail experience-been motorboating 5 years) Toying with the idea of trading in Bayliner Capri 602 Cuddy? Any advice?

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[Vara]

Deja-vu,and I haven't been here long!

<hr width=100% size=1>If it can't be fixed with a lump hammer dont fit it!

 

[Talbot]

I have not actually sailed one myself, although from what I have seen they are not bad for a trailer sailer. I have also seen them whizzing about on their 50hp outboard. so if that combination suits you, it seems on the surface to be a realistic compromise. On the other hand there always seem to be a fair number of them for sale, which makes me wonder, and will undoubtedly make re-sale a tad more difficult.

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[Newbieknownowt]

Do a search on this forum and scuttlebutt - lots of opinions, not all favourable - but horses for courses. Try also www.trail-sail.org.uk. for alternative trailer-sailers and, if you speak French, www.voiliers-transportables.com.

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[ROCKETSHIP_11]

A friend of mine has one of these it goes like stink with its 50 hp yamaha,
but sails like a sick pig its slow and won't point upwind,
Its butt ugly to boot !

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[MacMan]

Practical knowledge - yup I own one.

Biased Opinion coming up : I love mine but have no commerical connection with Macs

Certainly this has been covered before quite a lot but not for a month or so. It's about time we rehashed it ;-)

I love it for it's flexibility - sail, power, trail, waterski, tour up Inlands rivers, low draft, excellent accomodation size for 26 foot.
We have great fun in ours.

For loads of Macgregor 26x opinions go the US site http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB

Personally I am not over concerned about re-sale values. They drop 5/6k from new and then seem quite steady on re-sale value from what I have seen. (I didn't buy mine new ;-) )You shouln't find it too slow for a boat that size, apart from to windward. I have managed 7.5 knots under sail.

It's certainly true it won't point to windward as well as something that weighs 4 tonnes. But then you can't water ski behind that.

If I kept my boat in one place and never moved it (other than by water obviously!) and didn't want to ever power over 6 knots then I wouldn't buy a Mac but if you do I think you will find them a great buy.

Think about the sort of boating you want to do - if you fit the "Mac" niche then I think you will love it.

Also consider Odin 820 - more "luxurious" but more expensive. (I have also heard of a Dufour Duo but never seen one)

PM me if you want details of the UK Macgreor Owners Association.

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[Robatbradwell]

I will second that, Mac or Odin great fun and versatile to conditions, draft, time constraints etc. Not very stiff in bad sea and high winds though. Anything up to and including a force 6 is fine. In a 7 with wind over tide you will wish for a lead keel.

Not sure about the skiing though, have you tried it, MacMan? You would have to let out the water ballast and I don’t think its now recommended any more due to poor stability and a few capsizes.


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[DepSol]

Go for the Odin 820 a much better boat IMHO.

<hr width=100% size=1>Dom

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.soltron.co.uk>the website</A>

 

[MacMan]

Yes I think I agree - it does look like a much better boat - fit out is much nicer BUT it is about 30% more expensive. Or was last time I had a look.

I don't think I would get 30% more value for money out of it and there aren't as many second hand as it has not been out that long yet.

I guess you pays your money and takes your choice IMHO

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[MacMan]

Robert,

My Mac 26 X isn't THAT unstable when the ballast water is drained. We regularly do this in the right conditions and with sensible precautions. It is one of the fun bits of owning a Mac.

Up to F3 and sheltered water (e.g. Solent etc) and keeping the crew weight seated and at the back I have never had any real problems. Certainly everyone would wear lifejackets before we did this. But I have done this dozen's of times and no real problems. Never felt anywhere near a "limit".

I don't think the recommendation from MacGregor has changed. You can do, it's fun but it's not self righting (neither are many other small MoBo's) so be warned and be sensible.

Is the Odin not this stable ? I confess to not having direct experience of this.

As for Waterskiiing - I asked the Guys on a US board and they said yeah it's great fun and definitely possible. No doubt if you are an expert WaterSki the pulling power would dissapoint but for a beginner like me I am sure it will be some fun.

So I have just brought some WaterSki's on Ebay ! Will see how I get on !

There is a photo of the US guys being towed behind their Mac here

http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=1410

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