Macwester 26

[Tranona]

I think the Macwesters represented everything that was wrong with the British boating industry, being short of looks, to put it politely, stodgy and with no appeal to the international market. They weren’t the only sinners, but if you compare a Mac 26/27 with a Rasmus the difference becomes obvious.

There was no "international market" of any size in the late 1960s and the Macwester was a product of its time - and for a few years sold as fast as they could make them. We forget (or never knew) how little choice there was in those days. Totally unfair to compare a cheap 26' boat with an upmarket 35 footer (which was also built in the UK). There were UK designed competitors to the Rasmus, but inevitably sold in small numbers. There was nothing like the Mac built anywhere else.

Easy to critices UK builders in retrospect, but at the time they were top of their game. It is only later that they failed to move with the growing European and international market.

 

[Blueboatman]

Do they quote the size of outboard required to get it up on the plane?

Hmm might be a special order

 

[Wansworth]

Is the Mac 26 the equivalent of the Morris 1100?

 

[LittleSister]

There were a variety of other Macwesters . . . , and a curious little 15 footer that I've forgotten the name of, with a long keel and removable ballast to facilitate trailing it.

I had the double ended version ofthe 15 footer a one off that I built a cabin andcruised the West Country.

Macwester Kelpie was the name, I have rediscovered.

I looked over one many years ago as my potential first boat. I could have done worse for the very limited money I had.

I hadn't appreciated before now there were both canoe stern and transom stern versions.

 

[Wansworth]

Macwester Kelpie was the name, I have rediscovered.

I looked over one many years ago as my potential first boat. I could have done worse for the very limited money I had.

I hadn't appreciated before now there were both canoe stern and transom stern versions.

View attachment 139395

View attachment 139396

No the pointed stern was a one off it was one mound for both sides with a flange bolted together with stainless machine bolts that I discovered 18 months later completely gone?.Boat was a bit tippy initially so had to double the lead ballast on launching

 

[Wansworth]

Looking back the Best Buy would have been a hull molding of the 22 footer which sails very well but Macwester wanted a dinette?

 

[Wansworth]

Why didn’t macwester break into the Spanish market in the1960 instead of the bloody French I would have a choice of macs to choose from instead of little fin keelers

 

[LittleSister]

I look back with fondness at the many and various boats I have viewed in the flesh and/or scoured the magazines about over the years, and which fired my imagination and enthusiasm.

In retrospect, I may perhaps have been too fussy about which had this or that feature, or a good 'reputation'. Leaving aside those examples which were in a terrible state, I think I would have had fun and adventures in almost any of them.

So . . .

I propose the establishment of a 'Society for the Appreciation of Unlauded Boats'. Do I have a seconder?

 

[Wansworth]

I look back with fondness at the many and various boats I have viewed in the flesh and/or scoured the magazines about over the years, and which fired my imagination and enthusiasm.

In retrospect, I may perhaps have been too fussy about which had this or that feature, or a good 'reputation'. Leaving aside those examples which were in a terrible state, I think I would have had fun and adventures in almost any of them.

So . . .

I propose the establishment of a 'Society for the Appreciation of Unlauded Boats'. Do I have a seconder?

Indeed, will put mysef forward for forieign correspondent??

 

[Wansworth]

I look back with fondness at the many and various boats I have viewed in the flesh and/or scoured the magazines about over the years, and which fired my imagination and enthusiasm.

In retrospect, I may perhaps have been too fussy about which had this or that feature, or a good 'reputation'. Leaving aside those examples which were in a terrible state, I think I would have had fun and adventures in almost any of them.

So . . .

I propose the establishment of a 'Society for the Appreciation of Unlauded Boats'. Do I have a seconder?

Basically many of the boats would have been too expensive then and it’s only with hindsight we see the virtue in Macwester?

 

[Tranona]

Why didn’t macwester break into the Spanish market in the1960 instead of the bloody French I would have a choice of macs to choose from instead of little fin keelers

Because back in the 60's boatbuilding was a cottage industry, demand was low in Europe as most countries were still recovering from the war or were run by dictators. Plus each country had their own restrictive import rules and boat regulations. British boats were designed for our waters (compare with French and Italian designs of the period) so not attractive to European buyers and by the time the single market came into being it was too late as there were no competitive volume builders left. Bit different in the MOBO market where the main builders did concentrate on making their boats attractive to European buyers.

 

[Wansworth]

AngusPrimrose was quite popular there are several designs of his still appearing on the secondhand market,all grp and curvaceous

 

[LittleSister]

AngusPrimrose was quite popular there are several designs of his still appearing on the secondhand market,all grp and curvaceous

It's surprising they are not more popular in the USA, given how popular the combination of plastic and curvaceous seems to be in other fields there.

 

[Wansworth]

It's surprising they are not more popular in the USA, given how popular the combination of plastic and curvaceous seems to be in other fields there.

?

 

[peteK]

Is the Mac 26 the equivalent of the Morris 1100?

more like a Morris 1000

 

[Tranona]

more like a Morris 1000

The Golden Hind 31 already bagged that in the day - especially the "Traveller". Likening something to an 1100 was only one step better than likening to an Allegro. Just different degrees of c**p

 

[CAPTAIN FANTASTIC]

There are a number of Macwesters in the Netherlands and a few in France. There was a Frenchman, over 10 years ago, who was circumnavigating on a Macwester 27 and was on youtube.

 

[SaltyC]

There was no "international market" of any size in the late 1960s and the Macwester was a product of its time - and for a few years sold as fast as they could make them. We forget (or never knew) how little choice there was in those days. Totally unfair to compare a cheap 26' boat with an upmarket 35 footer (which was also built in the UK). There were UK designed competitors to the Rasmus, but inevitably sold in small numbers. There was nothing like the Mac built anywhere else.

Easy to critices UK builders in retrospect, but at the time they were top of their game. It is only later that they failed to move with the growing European and international market.

Tin hat and flak jacket on.

Aren't the Rasmus 35 and Nab 35 (British Built) not the same hull and deck / rig?

IMHO the British boat builders tried to compete with continental builders on price whilst building (more expensive) traditional interiors.

I will now take my sleeping bag to my Anderson (not 22) shelter.

 

[Frogmogman]

instead of the bloody French

Oi !!

 

[C08]

It is very easy for peeps to be sniffy about Macwesters as compared to better but more expensive designs they do not sail as well as. They did however have lots to recommend them: heavily and strongly built, with a cutter rig a much quicker boat than with just one foresail, the rudders were poor but many had balanced rudders fitted. There is much to recommend a slow, heavy boat that will look after the novice sailor rather than a quicker one that may get you into trouble easier.. We had one for 12 years and knocked about all over the NW coast with many trips to Ireland,IOM and SWales from the Menii . We sailed it over 10k N miles and as a first sea boat I learned how to fix things, diesel engine matters, rigging, sails and all that- I have nothing but fond memories of my Macwester 26 Marcus.