MacGregor 26x

[Guest]

I have just seen a MacGregor 26 at the London Boat Show. My wife and I are very keen and will be arranging a sea trial later this month. We have done virtually no sailing but want to go from power boating to sailing combined with the opportunity to stay on board over a weekend, holiday etc.

Yes the boat is simple but offers, we feel, excellent value and the opportunity for the novice sailor to begin somewhere!!

Do you know anything about these boats that might help us in our final decision as to buy or not. Thanks.

Sam

 

[david_e]

Read the post from Saturday by Graham titled "Power Sailers", the responses will probably help you if you are going to sail anywhere other than a safe pond.

 

[Guest]

Think very carefully; thats my advice.

If you want to potter around a sheltered lake, then maybe they are sensible. I just wouldn't like to put to sea in one. In essence they are a lightweight powerboat with a small amount of sail. It certainly is no sailboat, and I doubt the little mast helps to improve its powerboat performance either

 

[rogerroger]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

I remember seeing this a few years ago at the boat show - the slick presentation looks to good to be true and our jaws dropped at the (then) £16K price tag for a boat that could supposedly do everything.

Now I know a little more about boats I know that this is a craft of massive compromises. Ask yourself can a boat for that price be seaworthy? I think in any sort of sea or blow you could be in quite serious trouble.

One of the reasons it's so quick is that it's so light; it's therefore going to be flimsy as for that price it isn't made from kevar or similar.

But go for the sea trial and please let us know what you think, I'd be very interested. I'd bet that if it's blowing much more than a force 3/4 they'll find an excuse NOT to take you out

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Thanks for getting back to me. We are novices but will not be over ambitious with this type of boat.
We live in Falmouth and have in mind sailing in the Carrick Roads or across the Bay to the Helford River. We have been attracted to this boat by the promotional material which suggests it is ideal for those like my wife and I. The accomm below is also an attraction as we would often expect to spend one or more nights on board. We are both tall and the headroom is good, unlike some others we have seen. There is a lot of open cabin space and room to move around. However safety must always come first.
As we are moving from power boating our intention would be to have a 8 or 10hp outboard only. The last thing we would want is a 50hp and 25 Knots..perish the thought!
Do you know of any reviews we can research?
Thanks. Sam.

 

[Guest]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

Thanks. Your comments are valued.
The distributor returns later this week following the close of the Boat Show today. I hope we can get out later this month...I will get the wind speeds to hand before we book and see what happens!
I have researched the used boat market and have been surprised in the fact that they really hold their value selling at virtually the same price as the Boat Show promotion...£18k. Why do you think this is if there are concerns about safety etc?
Sam.

 

[Guest]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

Are they selling at £17k, or is this the asking price?

Honestly, you can get a nice sailing boat from the late '70s - early 80's for this money. It will sail, and be safe.

Whats the CE classification for the Macgreggor, BTW?

 

[Guest]

Sam,

Have a look at Rogerroger's website, listed after his sign-off on his posting . I hope he doesn't mind me saying, but he got First Magnitude at £13,500. Something like that would be an ideal first boat, which last year got to Alderney, and axtensive cruising on the South Coast

 

[rogerroger]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

I'm not saying there are concerns over safety - only that every boat has limits. For example my 27 footer is fine for coastal cruising and the odd cross channel trip. I could sail her over the Atlantic but I'm not sure many would think that a good idea as she's not built for it.

I'd not relish being out in anything over a 6 in my boat so sail and judge weather accordingly. I think the McGregor in anything above a F4 with any kind of swell or chop would be extremely uncomfortable and due to the light displacement I'd imagine performance to windward would be awful. If any of your crew were luke warm about sailing then such an experience may not be relished.

Where do they do test sails from out of interest?

Re: second hand prices, they're simply unrealistic. I knocked 15% off my boat and sensible sellors who want to sell will negotiate. Prices have also come down over the past few years and cheaper new boats should put even more pressure on the 2nd hand market (not good news for current owners...)

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[rogerroger]

Outrageous !! posting my private financial affairs on a web site !!! (tee hee)

And you're wrong - I beat them up and got it down to £12,750... and spent the rest on beer.

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[rogerroger]

I'm sure if you stay with Falmouth harbour and the Fal river the boat will actually be fine - the keel lifts doesn't it?

But from Falmouth you're a hop away from Fowey and then Plymouth, Salcombe, Dartmouth (which of course you know) - and THIS is what a sail boat is for. And yes, in the right conditions the MacGregor would be fine - but only last August I was up to my knees in water putting in a second reef in the main off Start Point in a 3 metre swell despite a forecast of a moderate sea and f3/4 wind. I would not wanted to have been in the MacGregor!!

But I guess there's an argument that if you did have the 50hp iron tops'l you'd get into port pretty damn quick...

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

The spec says it is a 'CE approved boat'. How do we find out the classification? There's nothing on the brochure.
Thanks.

 

[Guest]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

Ill try and find a web site for this info. Basically an A will let you go anywhere, B I think is coastal up to f6, and C is for an inland lake. I'll try and find the website for you to confirm.

So, they aren't saying which CE. hmmm

 

[rogerroger]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

So it'll be a D then... indoor swimming pool only! (windows closed in case of a breeze)



Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk

 

[Guest]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

I think you are guessing!! Seriously, I would be glad to learn the true CE classification from anyone who knows.
We have also looked at the Ocean 760. Seems to be a much more solid and traditional sailing boat..CE classification B. Limited headroom and circulation in the saloon. Do you know this boat?

Sailor Sam...or at least trying to be!!

 

[seaesta]

The previous respondants have probably put you off. The real problem I have noticed with these is low speed handling. They have a great big outboard which does not like idling and pushing the boats around at a few knots. When the water balast is out they also have a lot of windage and people can get very embarrassed putting them on and off the trailers and tying up because they cannot control them. If the wind is a 3/4 get them to demostrate loading the baot from the water to the trailer in a cross wind.

 

[Jeremy_W]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t either

I sailed a McGregor 65 about 1,500 miles a few years ago. I haven't set foot in any McGregor since and have no plans to do so. They feel flimsy and are only fast if you keep the weight inside them right down (minimal stores, empty water tanks ...)

In the right winds you can potter over to Helston in a Laser dinghy (Olympic 14 foot single-hander) or windsurf up past the chain ferry but I wouldn't recommend either in a real blow.

Why not take a walk round the local marinas/talk to guys at the local yacht clubs and see what people are actually sailing in your area? If you find half a dozen happy McG owners who are getting out there and sailing in all weathers then you can conclude that the "experts" on this board know nothing! If you find the McGregors never leave their berths you might concede that we have a point.

 

[Guest]

Thanks, good points..i am going to be out on the sea trial with a very long list of questions at this rate.

Sam

 

[Guest]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t either

Very sound comments, we will take a stroll around over the next few weeks. The only we have found so far had already been sold to someone trading up.

Sam

 

[rogerroger]

Re: MacGregor 26x - I wouldn\'t

well my comments were below the belt on that occasion!

I've not sailed one so can't pretend to know - I will be genuinely interested to know how you get on with the sea trial - I just think that if they were the "wonder boat" they video claims they are Im sure we'd see a lot more about them in the yottie press.

I wonder if ybw have a review anywhere ?

Roger Holden
www.first-magnitude.co.uk