Hello everyone.
My name is Paul Jacobs, I'm not only new to the forum, but also new to Mac ownership, in fact so new that I am still looking for a suitable boat.
This forum and the American Macgregor Sailors.com both seem very friendly places, full of helpful advice.
I have identified the Mac26 as a boat that will fulfill my perceived needs well, being a large trailerable boat, with a turn of speed under power and decent accommodation for weekending. It looks as if it sails quite well, and my wife and I should be able to sail her easily. I anticipate using it for coastal and estuary cruising on the South coast of Devon close to my home outside Taunton.
However, I have to admit to being rather confused by the anti Mac feeling amongst other sailors, many of whom do not seem to have any hands on knowledge of the boat, but plenty to say about it. Is there something I should know, or is this pure ignorance?
I mentioned that I am now searching for a Mac, and would appreciate any advice on what to look for on a recent 26M. In fact, if I may, perhaps I can put out a request for anyone with a fairly new 26M, who is thinking of selling, to contact me.
I very much look forward to meeting other Mac owners in due course.
Paul.
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
Hi Paul,
Read your post with interest as I am looking for a 26x/m in the next 18 months, when our business loan is paid off!! Have just joined this association and am most impressed and looking forward to meeting up with some of you.
Have done quite a bit of sailing over the last few years on friends boats and love it, however a 'true' sailboat does not seem to fufill my families requirements. The Macgregor26 really seems to have the best compromise and also some big advantages over a 'traditional' sailboat.
Would love to crew for somebody sometime as I'm yet to step aboard a Mac, maybe Paul (when your get your 26M) or another member would take me out!
Regards
Andy Widger
"when our business loan is paid off!" Yes, I quite understand Andrew, that is exactly what I have just done, hence having a spare bit of cash to 'invest' in a boat. Where are you situated, it sounds as if you could be in the West Country somwhere?
Talking of the X & M although I know most of the differences between the 2 models, what differences are there in sailing, several non Mac owners have commented that Macgregors are always at the back of the fleet, I guess this refers to the X, is the M equally slow?
Paul
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
Hi Paul and Andrew - welcome to the club!
I think all prospective boat owners must go through the stage you're at - it's both fun choosing, and agony wondering if you're making the right decision! I got my X barely 2 years ago, and still remember well.
It's true that Mac's don't sail as well as most conventional yachts of similar size, which is probably one reason why the fixed-keel fraternity look down on them. I think there is also a huge mistrust (and misunderstanding) about water ballast from those who haven't used it.
Water ballast works, Mac's don't fall over. If you go out without the ballast in the wrong conditions, or use the boat inappropriately, then a capsize is possible, but it's a case of being sensible. The rule I adopt is the ballast is always in unless there's a reason for it not to be - which for me is practically never because I'm not bothered about motoring at planing speeds.
As for sailing, the M is a bit better than the X, but not by a huge margin. A good sailor will get more out of an X than an average one will from an M! As pure sailboats they're not as good as most cruising yachts, but then cruising yachts are not as good sailboats as Open 60s - everything is a compromise.The Mac's compromise is giving you the ability to trail, and a generous power margin.
One big factor in how well they sail is the sails themselves. The factory-fitted ones are low-budget and very thin. If you're getting a boat more than 3-5 years old I'd say, you should consider that you might want to buy new sails. It depends how much the boat has actually been sailed, which may be hard to determine. You should allow £1000 or so to replace. I got a new main, jib and spinnaker from USA just over a year ago for about that incl. all shipping and duty, but the exchange rate was a lot better at the time. The price direct in the UK would have been much higher.
I've only trailed mine long-distance once in each of the two summers I've been sailing, but the other advantage for me is that I keep the boat on the trailer rather than moored. It's mast-up fully rigged in a boat park, and I launch whenever I use it, which doesn't take long at all. It costs about a third of a wet mooring, and I don't have the expense of anti-foul. And for working on it over the winter I can bring it home where it's far more convenient to tinker! Whether this would work for you depends on your situation and mooring/parking opportunities of course.
A lot of the fun is customising your boat. They're esentially pretty bare-bones out of the factory, so everyone does their own improvements, both in accomodation and rigging. No two Mac's are the same!
I'd be happy to show you around mine and go for a sail, but I'm on the Isle of Wight so probably not too convenient. If you happen to come this way though, let me know.
Hope you find the boats your looking for - keep us posted.
Cheers, Rick
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Hi Rick & Paul,
Paul, in answer to your question, I am originally from and have family in Plymouth, although now we live in Bedfordshire! My ambition is to sail our own boat in the glorious Plymouth sound. Good luck in your search for a boat and as you have paid off your business loan, go treat yourself!
One of the reasons the Mac is such a great coice is the versatiliy, I feel sure that with a boat at a mooring by the coast there is no way we would get to use it as much as one parked on the driveway. One weekend on the River Ouse , the next down to the coast, the possibilties seem endless...............
Where in fabulous Devon do you intend to sail?
Rick, thank you for taking the time to give us an excellent overview of your experiences, this seems another reason that makes this brand of boat a good choice as you the more experienced of you really do support us newcomers. Having seen the MagregorSailors site have learnt alot and I think you post there as well?
If Sue and I came to the IOW maybe we could come and see you and your 26X? We would really appreciate and look forward to that.
Thanks
Andy
Hi Andy
There's a coincidence, I bought my boat from a guy who had moved to Bedfordshire and didn't have time to get to the coast to sail! Sounds like you're determined to do better. :)
I'd be more than happy to show you around my Mac if you come to visit, and hopefully go for a sail subject to weather. If you want to contact me direct to arrange something, just email
.
Cheers
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
Hi
We took the plunge this summer, and I've got to say we have totaly and utterly not regretted it!
I've done a fair bit of racing so maybe come from the 'down the nose set', but stuff 'em. Real sailors out there are happy to see you out sailing, if they get all hissy n handbagy over what you're in then you really wouldn't want to be spending time with them anyway. The genuine folk have had nothing but approval as they appreciate the cunning simplicity of the design.
Truth is, the mac (ours is the prettier X) can go anywhere, and you're not tied to outrageous mooring fees. In Poole it is frightening. Especially if you're new to having your own boat! There are plenty of yachts rotting on buoys and pontoons out there!
Down sides? Wriggles around alot on anchor, is not spectacular at pointing, can be a real pain to run cables through the double skins and some of the fittings are simply crying out for upgrading.
So 3months and 7 launches.. repaired and upgraded steering and various little jobs. We've sailed Poole to Bembridge in a sunny day and had over 9kts out of her so far. Wakeboard is now stowed ready for the trial...
If you look at Ricks Mac, be warned it is quite evolved... ours is still a very plain setup, but plans are hatching and lots of cunning widgets in development. Part of the fun for a nerd like me!
Cheers
In theory, there is no difference between theory and practice; In practice, there is.
Thanks for your replies folks, it's good to hear the enthusiasm shining through. My wife and I are off to sail one of Richards [Macgregor UK agent] demo boats at Falmouth tomorrow, so hoping the weather holds for at least another day or two and we get a bit more wind that the last miserable 2mph of breeze last time we were there in August..
I'm planing to sail in South Devon mainly, but have yet to investigate various slipways, although I know that Lyme Regis has a perfectly suitable one, launching fees are around £12 and a days carparking will probably be £6-£8 I suspect. The Exe estuary is about an hours drive, and Torbay about an hour and a half, trailing. Plymouth Sound looks great as do Salcombe and the Dart. So once I've researched launching places, there will be enough to keep us busy for at least one summer.
Any other experiences from people would always be great to hear about. Perhaps the trials and tribulations of launching would be handy, as I cannot believe it can be quite as simple as is shown in the factory video, and having a handy pontoon on the side too - if only.................
Paul
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
Hi Paul
You sound like you've been doing your homework!
Launching is easy, from a starting point of the mast and boom rigged, sails on, ready to go (e.g. as it would be if left moored). You do need somewhere with a close-by walkashore pontoon or dockside so you can secure the boat while you sort out the car and trailer. That's if you do it solo, as I often do, but it's much easier with a team of two of course, one to handle the boat, the other the car and trailer. In that case you can get away with rendezvous-ing (is there such a word?) some distance from the slipway if necessary.
If you trail to your launch place by road, the business of mast raising and rigging, and the converse when packing up, are what take the time. Those who do it all the time get it to a fine art, and I've heard claims of 30 minutes from driving up to being on the water, but that's really slick. I reckon I can do it in about an hour, and more like an hour and a half packing up. It seems to take longer getting everything secure for the road than it does undoing it.
When you first get the boat expect to take 2 hours! Also well worth practicing at home, and making a checklist of the process until you can remember it all by heart. It's a spectator sport too, you'll find people fascinated at the process of the boat morphing from trailer to yacht :)
I hope your demo in Falmouth goes well.
Cheers
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
I have been approached by an existing MOA member who wishes to sell
his boat. It may be suitable for Paul Jacobs or Andy Widger, or indeed
anyone else who is looking for a Mac. The details that he sent me are
as follows:
************************************************************************
My Mac is a 2002 model with a Yamaha 50 Hp engine with 347 hours which has
been regularly serviced.
Starting at the bow, there is a bow fender, bow roller and furling
jib. I have fitted stays to the forehatch so that it can be opened at any angle.
I have brought the bow guard rail to the top of the pulpit to enhance safety.
There is a lazy jack easy stacking system; all lines led back to the cockpit. On
the portside at the stern I have fitted a stainless steel own
designed bracket for dinghy outboard storage. This utilises the otherwise
vacant space above the boarding ladder. The ballast gate valve lever has been
extended to be able to operate from within the cockpit (No need to raise the
seat). Cockpit lockers are fitted with locking doors for 2 x 5 gallon fuel
tanks.
Internally, I have utilised the lifting backrest around the table to extend
the forward V berth. In the galley there is fitted a gas twin hob and electric
tap supplying cold water from fixed 10 gallon storage. There is fitted an 8 foot
shelf from the heads towards the V berth above the table and various other
shelving.
There is a new radio/Cd player.
The heads is fitted with a sea toilet and extra light. There is the
original pump tap in the heads supplied by a flexible 5 gallon
container.
There is a mast raising kit.
Electrical system is supplied by 2 batteries ( 1 engine/ 1 domestic) both
charged by engine.
Carpets, curtains, non smokers.
Navigation equipment:
Compass, speed, depth, VHF DSC radio, GPS, Chart Plotter, Auto Pilot (all
Raymarine), Navigation Lights
Deck Gear:
Danforth anchor chain and warp, various mooring warps, fenders and boat
hook.
The trailer has new brakes and cables; spare unused.
Everything is in excellent condition. My Mac has been well loved and
well looked after and is being sold reluctantly.
Pricing is never easy but I spoke to a broker recently and although the
conversation was about something completely different, he told me that
Macgregors are very sought after and easily saleable and that he had in
fact sold 4 this year. At the time mine wasn't for sale but he mentioned a
figure of £20K as it's value. I might add that he didn't know of all the
electronic navigation gear I have.
I thought I might ask £21K. As you are probably more enlightened as to
value, your thoughts would be appreciated.
You can bet I have forgotten something so if you or any potential buyers
would like to know more please call on 01268 692757 or 07879 020344.
Best regards
Alan Anthony
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Jon (editor)
Jon, Many thanks for posting details of that 26 belonging to Alan Anthony. It is a little old for me, ideally I am looking for a boat with only a couple of season use under its' belt, but I'm sure that someone reading the forum will be interested.
Rick thanks for taking the time to reply, it is certainly very interesting to hear actuall experience from one who knows. It sounds as if plenty of mast raising and rigging practice in my garden will be the order of the day as and when I find the right boat.
Paul.
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
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