[decodent]

I really appreciate the feedback here ... wow!

On Jeff''s note, I was surprised to read about resale values lower than I''d been hearing about. However, that is GOOD NEWS; I will keep my eyes pealed for deals.

As for other boats to look at, from what I can tell there are really only two others that sort of fit that category of "easily trailored", and neither of them has the motoring (i.e. "fast") capabilities of the MacGregor.

One is the Hunter 260. See:

http://www.huntermarine.com/products/h260/h260.htm

The other is the Catalina 250:

http://www.catalinayachts.com/c250_wk.phtml

Both are heavier than the MacGregor 26 and would probably challenge the towing abilities of my car (a Toyota Prevea with supercharged engine; rated to 3500 lb. towing weight), especially leaving Santa Cruz. We have the dreaded "the hill", a steep, windy (whine-dee) pass that is hard enough WITHOUT a trailor.

Given that it''s going to take 3-5 years to get a mooring (that''s the waiting list time), I''d like to have something in the interim that can be pulled in and out as needed.

I have no doubts the Catalina and (especially) Hunter are better built, but I''d probably have to buy a new car to tow them. And I LOVE my Toyota.

Heck, now that''s the analogy -- that Toyota minivan and the boat I''d like to find. I''m on my second Previa. It runs forever, has a rare combo of performance, comfort, carrying capacity, quality, parking ease, and - (drum roll) - VERSATILITY.

I want a boat that motors well; sails well; never needs maintenance; could be pulled with my Previa to Tahoe, Lake Havasu, Sacramento Delta, SF Bay, San Juan Islands, Baja, etc; costs under 10k; and is big enough to be a single''s liveaboard at least 4-5 days/week.

Now is that so much to ask for?

Doug
aka "decodent"
Any feedback would be mucho appreciated; especially if you know of some other