Macgregor yachts cease production

dylanwinter

dylanwinter

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Joined
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Location
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www.keepturningleft.co.uk
they have quit




"The plant in California has become increasingly inhibited in their capability to do business due to regulation and encroaching development in the immediate neighborhood. Roger and his wife are at a point in life where they'd like to begin to step back a bit. MacGregor Yacht Corporation in California will cease building the 26-series of boats. Roger will continue to develop and produce the larger 70-series boats. Roger's children have been involved in MacGregor business all their lives and know boat building as well as, or even better, than Roger himself. Roger's children plan to start a wholly new venture, in Florida, and it will initially focus on producing two boats - a 26-foot boat and a 22-foot boat. This new company will not have any relationship with MacGregor Yacht Corporation of California, other than the fact that Roger's children happen to be involved. The new venture and boats will not carry the "MacGregor" name, however the actual name has not yet been decided. The new 26-foot boat will be very similar in design and manufacture to the existing 26M, but with a nice series of improvements, including some new hull colors. The new 22-foot boat will be a newly designed vessel, and will be an epoxy-based boat (i.e stronger & lighter). Warranty and support will be continued by MacGregor Yacht Corporation for those boats which have been sold by MacGregor and their dealers. Blue Water Yachts and the other dealers will be able to supply parts and support for existing MacGregors for a long time into the future."

http://macgregorsailors.com/forum/v...sid=ccc61aa47d6db4c3382a2dcf38a21db7&start=15
 
I researched the 26 a couple of years ago as I was attracted by the incredibly cheap price of second hand models - further research gave me the reason why they are so cheap, scary reports about sea keeping abilities or lack of it! Shame water ballast is a good idea if the design was improved, Swallow Boats models are "seaworthy" but they are an entirely different boat and design so difficult to compare.
 
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Sounds like they haven't actually gone completely, the family intend to continue producing similar boats.

I could no more own one than I could fly, but the formula works for enough people that the MacGregor family clearly believe there's a business in there somewhere.
 
I too regret the passing of any boat maker. As Dylan rightly says, McGregor incidents are almost all "user error" just as are most boat incidents. I might not want to buy one, but I love seeing a sailing boat on the plane! :D
 
I'm sorry guys but I just can't agree. Yes, I'd never like to see any company go down the bog but those boats are just real dogs in terms of their looks.

Sorry but that's just the way it feels to me.
 
Macgregor Yachts managed to produce a design to satisfy a large proportion of people who enjoy a bit of everything. No doubt there is a market. No my cup of tea, but I fancy the idea of being able to get back to port at 30 knots when conditions dictate.
 
Actually I think this is a terrible story. Read the reason:

inhibited in their capability to do business due to regulation and encroaching development in the immediate neighborhood
Click to expand...

To have people forced out of business because new neighbours move in or red tape is a disaster and could happen to any business. Imagine pif you worked your life to build up a business and then someone pulled the rug on you. These boats are not for me and not for many here but this is a sad story.
 
Seven Spades said:
Actually I think this is a terrible story. Read the reason:



To have people forced out of business because new neighbours move in or red tape is a disaster and could happen to any business. Imagine pif you worked your life to build up a business and then someone pulled the rug on you. These boats are not for me and not for many here but this is a sad story.
Click to expand...


I agree.... however, America is a big place and space is cheap so they could move although it sounds as though Roger has had enough

Dylan
 
Shame, I always fancied owning one. Great for weekend camping or a few days away, speedy when you want it, soundless sailing when you're not in a hurry, zero maintenance and no marina fees. Plus it's a KVI so easy to sell at a recognised price point. I also like that they wind up those who consider themselves a bit of a purist. Like taking a Jack Russell to Crufts and seeing it pee on the leg of an fancy pedigree pooch.
 
There was a ballasted drop keel conversion available which tamed their tenderness. But that would compromise their USP of being light to trailer.

I thought their rather upright appearance and narrow, deep cockpit a bit off-putting.
 
Goodbye and good luck to the kids I say.
Never really understood the conceipt anyway. Probably OK on a glassy American lake and in a land where gas used to be cheap! Has anyone really thought about the cost of running one of these?
 
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