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I have just made the decision to look for a sailboat. So far, I have read a brochure for the new MacGregor 26 sailboat. Maybe it''s because MacGregor has good marketing people or because I have done very little research into any other boat of a similar class, but I absolutely fell in love with it and the concept. It is a boat that seems to fit my lifestyle very well.
Can anyone out there share their knowledge and experience with the MacGregor 26 or any other comparable boat before I jump in with both feet?
I have never bought a boat before and am relatively unknowledgeable in how to go about it. I want to do alot of research before I buy. Should I buy new? Used? What accessories are essential? What aren''t? etc.
Thank you in advanced for taking the time to answer my newbie questions.
Has anyone come up with an effective mechanical system of diconnecting the outboard motor steering control arm on the Mac26x and anchoring it securely while sailing. I have to think this will go a long way in dealing with some of the sluggiish steering issues.
If you want to slag Macs please do it with someone else I am only interested in positive communication. I have heard all the stories, blah blah blah. Get over it, it's my boat and it's OK.
Hey goose! Any "flack" given about a mac is not intended to be personal unless someone else steers it that way. While I'm not a fan of mac's, most comments are intentionally over the top just to poke fun. And as such are generally followed by:, , , , or , to show that fact.
Hey goose...you have a VERY different Mac than the 26...but you knew that....but in any case, every boat serves a good purpose for someone. I have no problem with anyone owning anything they want. It's what they WANT to DO with unsuitable boats that drives me nuts! Some people even have BIG FAT BOATS with BIG FAT BLUE BAGS on their booms and BIG FAT WIND BAGS UNDERNEATH THEM. (G) << I can't photoshop so I have to take my best shot when I get the opportunity! >> (G)
Hey goose...you have a VERY different Mac than the 26...but you knew that....but in any case, every boat serves a good purpose for someone. I have no problem with anyone owning anything they want. It's what they WANT to DO with unsuitable boats that drives me nuts! Some people even have BIG FAT BOATS with BIG FAT BLUE BAGS on their booms and BIG FAT WIND BAGS UNDERNEATH THEM. (G) << I can't photoshop so I have to take my best shot when I get the opportunity! >> (G)
Some people even have BIG FAT BOATS with BIG FAT BLUE BAGS on their booms and BIG FAT WIND BAGS UNDERNEATH THEM. (G) << I can't photoshop so I have to take my best shot when I get the opportunity! >> (G)
Some people simply have no taste and exchanged a boat for an RV....
Cam...you no longer qualify for "nautical" jokes....please go to RVnet.com, your new hobby and post there, thank you.
I bet you will be a sucess, talking about knots, wide transoms, and big sticks...them RV folks will think you're popular, you'll fit right in, just don't pick up the soap...boy!!!!
Ahh, one more thing....don't get lost in the Mountains near Georgia, you've got a Purdy Mouth...know what I mean??? And them Hillbillies are horny, they love sailors.....
LOL,, I know,, I was just trying to help a brutha out.
If I put the mast from my Sunfish in the hole for the bass seat in my Glastron, would it be a sailboat? Be right back.............
If you want to slag Macs please do it with someone else I am only interested in positive communication. I have heard all the stories, blah blah blah. Get over it, it's my boat and it's OK.
What is the problem? Don't you get positive comunication here??
We all joke with each other, and so that you relax, I get way more slag just by being me, (an extremely good looking very good sailor), than I see these guys giving the Mac people....
If you can't joke, learn....its cool and fun....
I am starting to believe that "boat sensitivity" now is spelled MAC...
I have a friend who is happy with his Mac. 26. It has a big outboard and can cruise at +15 knots. BUT: it does not sail as well as most typical sail boat of that size. It's a compromise: good sailing vs. power boat performance. He only uses his genoa to sail as it is over-powered with the main.
I have a Hunter 26 that sails very well. I carry 2000# of ballast water and it hardly ever heels over 35 degrees. It is trailerable, comfortable with a roomy cockpit, and fairly well built. BUT: it doesn't cruise at +15 knots. 6 knots from a boat of this size is the best you'll do most of the time. I don't have anything really bad to say about the McGreggor. It's a matter of taste as to whether you prefer sailing or motor-cruising. The Hunter has a 9' beam and a wide, comfortable cockpit.
Call if you have questions: 252-633-9237.
LOL,, I know,, I was just trying to help a brutha out.
If I put the mast from my Sunfish in the hole for the bass seat in my Glastron, would it be a sailboat?
What cracks me up is when someone says Mac, they always think of the 26X/M winniebago. While this old thread was specifically about the 26X, there are many other Mac's out there.
Goose, what kind of Mac do you have? I have a '76 Venture 21.
Speaking of MacGregors, my boat was sitting next to one when I went down to the marina today. The spar for the boom on my 28' trimaran is a heavier spar than the mast on the MacGregor 26. That is very worrying... doesn't say much for the sailing performance of the Mac.
Catalina and Hunter (and others) have water ballasted sailboats that sail much better than the Macgregor. You can also get a keel boat with shoal draft as well - but obviosly not as low as a lifting centerboard, and with some trailerability problems. These would be a better choice for anyone who wants to "sail", or learn to sail, although I'd be leaning to a keel if you're in the beginning of the learning process.
If you'd rather mount a 50 hp outboard and motor the thing, then by all means do it. We have one around here where he never even bothered to erect the mast.
Ron
C400 #74 "Good Vibrations"
C250 #688 "Running Free"
Find out what you can about the Macgregor, but I would recommend that you keep searching until you have narrowed it down to 4-5 boats. Each craft will present their own strengths as well as weaknesses or compromises. I am not sure the perfect boat truly exists, but with a little patience, research and honesty in what the boat will truly be used for, you have a great many choices available to you today both in the new and used markets. Good luck with your search...
Hi,
I didn't read all the post but most of them. I have been looking a a Macgregor 22 with swing keel. It's a 1978 model. Would this be a good boat to learn on or would a Clark San Jaun 21 be better. They are both priced the same and both have trailers.
Sorry I didn't realize the this was just about the 26. It was not my intention to hijack this thread. Just thought it was to learn more about the Macgregor. Think I'll find a more friendlier forum that this one seem to be.
Good bye.
Catalina and Hunter (and others) have water ballasted sailboats that sail much better than the Macgregor. You can also get a keel boat with shoal draft as well - but obviosly not as low as a lifting centerboard, and with some trailerability problems. These would be a better choice for anyone who wants to "sail", or learn to sail, although I'd be leaning to a keel if you're in the beginning of the learning process.
Sorry to hear you feel that way Lostmt... the reason I was suggesting that you start your own thread, rather than hi-jack this one is that you'll generally get better feedback and more on-topic responses in your own thread.
The thread's title: "MacGregor 26 vs. ?" Pretty much says it is about the Mac 26...
I actually do customer service just fine... I just have a low tolerance for people trying to take shortcuts... and then whining about it when they don't play by the rules and get called on it.
SD
Who's rules yours or the forums. If it the forum rules I would really appreciate it if someone would point me in the right direction so I don't brake the rules. SD if they are your rules then you know where to put them. I am far from being a whiner. All you would have had to say is "Lostmt you would get better results by starting a new thread" and not by tell me or anyone else that they are trying to hijack a thread.
There are a pile of people that visit this forum that make no comments or ask question because of people just like you. You run them off you feel that this is your personal forum and people need your permission to ask questions.
Hello fellow Texan. You gotta ignore poor Ole SD. First, he is a Pat's fan (strike number one), and he is freezing his * off in New ENgland (strike #2). They just seem to get grumpy in January... however... wanna really get even with him?? Well, just remind him you are sailing in the middle of January!!!
Ok, on a serious side, I agree with SD that you will get better results starting your own thread. Most people don't read through pages of informatino (which is especially long and tenuous on the thread you posted on). It was a bit off topic... but you know what - it happens all the time!
However, I also agree with you that SD could have said it about 1000 different ways and make it come out nicer. Guess we will have to throw him in the dog house for that one.
So hang around. Always enjoy new members. Let's shake hands and start over...
- CD
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