Why DOES everyone sneer at the MacGregor 26?

Apologies Leighb, clicked on the wrong reply, was meant to reply to
Nigel Hudsons post in response to the "oh so boring" Bavaria keel syndrome
 
OK I may have misjudged the situation here... either everybody loves Tom Cunliffe or speaking his name is forbidden /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
I don't SNEER at a Mac26 (or the Owners) - I love the concept (of the fast one), just a shame that they are as ugly as sin /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

If in the market for something that could go fast under motor, and could sail - I would go for the compromise of a boat that motored well in bad conditions and sailed as a secondary function.......on the basis that passage making would usually be made under power and when arrived one could sail around the bay for an afternoon (or indeed stay local and simply sail).

Something like an Orkney 19 with sails and a lifting keel - but maybe up a couple of feet, bit of a cuddy cabin / wheelshelter, same lots of deck space and a tent type cockpit cover for camping afloat.

A canoe stern would also be nice - but not sure how the 50 hp outboard would bolt on /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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OK I may have misjudged the situation here... either everybody loves Tom Cunliffe or speaking his name is forbidden /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Or there's unanimity that he's a total pillock - nothing to be added.

Met him twice - more than enough. I would not be surprised if one of these days he disappears up his own arsehole.
 
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Frankly the boat is incapable of beating off a lee shore, so is not suitable for conditions in the UK.



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That's why they've got a gert big engine hanging of the back. You may as well the same thing about any motor boat.
 
... /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif Good point!!

Actually I was more thinking in terms of if it had a mechanical failure..... When I was a mobo'r, I never gave two thoughts to a engine failure, now as a sailor, If Im under motor I am continually worried about a failure (But not too the point of paranoia..), Im only happy if Im making progress under sail..... So, I think a boat needs to be able to beat to windward under moderate conditions.. Clearly the Magregor cant.... anyways... Its like buying one of those 2 wheel drive SUV's, wots the point??? Neither sails well nor motors well, fine in the US for a lake and a potter, suits em sir, but in reality it only appeals to people who are making the transition as a sort of sop to paranoia, its really just a marketing solution.

Far better off buying a used rid and a small MAB....

/forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

Saying all of that, If it helps to get people on the water, then thats not a bad thing.
 
Well I owned a MacGregor 26 C (not the hybrid 26X) and she sailed very well. I wouldn't cross oceans in her but we had a huge amount of fun in and around the Solent. Have moved on now but she was exactly what we wanted at the time - so there!
 
Well, I think they look cute;

428391.jpg

Now, I CAN tack against wind & tide, but not at that speed!
/forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif
As to the keel falling off - aren't they a DROP KEEL, so it will fall out if not properly maintained, but can't fall off as it is not fastened "on" in the first place.
/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
 
Here are some good cruising reports
http://macgregorsailors.com/explore/index.php

Some interesting comments:
"15 miles out wind clocks straight north at 15-20. Seas quickly build and now we are struggling with 5-7 foot seas. I convince him to keep on, and we arrive Cat Cay at 3:30 pm. Another real rough crossing. Physically drained but no damage, which surprises me."

"Next stop, Warderick Wells hard to windward. 12 miles, 12 hours. The old girl just won't point with all this weight. Should be waiting for more favorable winds, low on fuel again."

However, how many 26ft AWB's can have these images to boast about:
pic2.jpg
 
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Well, I think they're great..... it is a cocktail, right?

[/ QUOTE ] What. Tom Cunliffe and the MacGregor 26? An unlikely cocktail if you ask me . . .

- W
 
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Frankly the boat is incapable of beating off a lee shore, so is not suitable for conditions in the UK.

[/ QUOTE ] So probably are a sizeable percentage of posters on this forum (incapable of beating off a lee shore that is) - in which case they would switch on the engine. Which is what M26 owners will do - probably slightly earlier in the proceedings.

So I don't quite see what your point is. It's a horrible machine as a pure sailing boat, but at least it can sail when conditions are right. It's a better sailing boat than a Sunseeker or a Fairline, and a lot greener to boot.

- W
 
In the right hands in the right waters Im sure they have their place but theres not many 26 footers with a track record of capsizing as the Mac does. Once over they stay over.

5 people were pulled out of the water by the Flatholm Ferry and a helicopter here a few years ago after their 26 capsized. There were dozens of small boats out that day ,noone else got into trouble.The wind did reach about force 6 at times.

My post about it was pulled at the time.The coxswain of the Ferry that helped in the rescue is an occasional poster on these forums.

Im sure some people have done epic passages in them. People have crossed oceans in canoes, drain pipes, bath tubs etc.Doesnt make it a good idea.
 
And Roger MacGregor? (or whatever his name is?)

Is he crying? Is he thinking - "this was not a clever idea! I've only ever sold 30,000 boats".

/forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif Ha, Bl**dy Ha /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

Well Done Roger.

/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
Is he crying? Is he thinking - "this was not a clever idea! I've only ever sold 30,000 boats"

As I said in the right hands / waters etc etc . IMHO British weather is too unpredictable for this type of craft to venture out to sea. In sheltered waters or channel crossings in extremely settled conditions Im sure they are great .

Cock ups happen .A conventional keel that doesnt rely on correctly filled water tanks for stability allows the beginner to learn from mistakes.

I wouldnt sneer at anyones choice of boat .commenting on my reservations about them is something different.

PS enjoy your sailing tommorow. Wish I was coming with you. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
 
We were beating down the Blackwater against a rising easterly one evening, and caught up and passed a MacGregor. He was struggling against the fresh breeze and steep chop and becoming overwhelmed. How we sneered as our gallant craft swept past bravely shouldering the seas.
He then switched on his umpteen horsepower and bugg**red off at a high rate of knots to Brightlingsea.
When we arrived damp and cold much later, we imagined him watching us from the club bar.
Perhaps there is some point to them after all.
 
I've got half an eye on one as a next boat; would be a first saily-type (not counting the dinghy that I bought at Earls Court to learn in) and about my eighth donkey-boat.

As everyone here seems to say, Jack of all trades = master of none, but I love the idea that I could tow it easily so I could sail on Windemere one weekend or in Brittany the next, take it up the river to Henley, or even drop it into the Med in a couple of days.

A good friend recommended a Cornish Crabber as a trailer-sailer for doing that kind of work, probably a better sail, but for the price of 3 MacGregors? With less accomodation? and less versatility?

Not a thing of great beauty, but nor is the VW Bora, but it does exactly what I need it to as a car (including having the capacity to tow the MacGregor)
 
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