Hi all,
We are new members and joined the MOA because we are interested in buying a 26 M as we find the idea of opening up new cruising grounds within the UK and further afield very attractive.
However, our previous boats have all been in the 36 to 40 length bracket (the last one being a Bavaria 40) and I am concerned about how my wife may take to the different handling characteristics of the 26 when under sail, given the different weight, ballast, displacement etc.
I am aware that there is a member who charters Mac's in Portugal but I wondered if there was anyone in the UK from whom we could charter to "try before we buy".
Any help or info would be very much appreciated and we hope to meet some of you on the water in due course.
David & Angie
First of all welcome to the Macgregor fold David and Angela.
I've not heard of any Mac chartering in the UK, although others may come along in a minute who do know. Have you contacted the importer, Colin Winter at Marlinspike, in Suffolk, 01446 781 372? He is on the ball, so may very well have got in touch with you directly.
The other way of experiencing Mac pleasure is to let us know your location and put out a call to see if there are any owners near you who you could talk to. My boat is on the Tamar north of Plymouth, but will be back home near Taunton soon, so if you are near either one of these locations, I would be only to pleased to meet up.
I do believe that Mac 26's are an acquired taste, and there are several little hints and tips for getting the best out of them, which any owner will be pleased to pass on, as well as reading this forum of course.
Best of luck with it, and I hope you become owners soon.
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
Hi Paul,
Thanks for your reply. We did speak to Marlinspike at the Southampton Boat Show but their focus now seems to be on the Tatoo range and we do not want to buy a new boat.
We are based in Bedfordshire but do travel around so if we are going to be in your area we will certainly make contact.
Thanks again and happy boating!
I am quite happy to take you out for a sail at a time that is convenient for you. It doesn't matter if you don't want to buy a new boat ( It seems most don't). We only have a Tattoo to sail in now as we have no MacGregors left but the sailing characteristics are the same.
Ah, so after a few mins digging I get it...the Tattoo is basically the next version after the 26m to all intents...
The Tattoo 22 looks like an interesting developement do you have any more specs or pricing yet? Might be a bit small for my family of 5 when the kids get bigger though....but would be easier to tow, manoeuvre, and might also fit down narrow beam canals opening up more waterways.
Cheers
Andy
I've been thinking the same about the 22. My kids have long since flown the nest, so wouldn't have the problem of room in the boat for them. I do rather like the amount of space in the 26 however, so don't know if I could go smaller. It will be very interesting to see it when they have finished it. I wonder if it will sail better? Maybe it'll have a bit more built in ballast to stop it being as tender as the 26, especially in the gusty conditions I encounter in estuary sailing.
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
There is as yet very little information on the forthcoming Tattoo 22. Whilst it will be of an entirely new design, I suspect that the pricing will not be all that different to the 26 as there is little saving in materials and even less saving in Labour. I will post info as it becomes available.
Thank you Colin. You may be asked to part exchange a few used Mac 26's if the 22 turns out to be half as good as it looks!
Paul
[Ex 'Crackerjack' - 26M]
Hi David and Angela you are welcome to use my 26c at anytime unfortunately I live in Glasgow , but if you can get up here you can use my boat for free . I know you are looking for a 26 m , but again my boat is there for you at anytime, thanks andrew
Hi,
My 26M (Sowenna) is ashore on her trailer at Gallions Point Marina, North Woolwich, East London (basically at the bottom of the City Airport runway.)
She is 'work in progress' after a hard summer on the Thames so is not up to showroom condition just yet but you are welcome to see her as she is.
Simon :D
Hi David and Angela,
Unfortunately I suspect most/many members have there boats on trailers for the winter . Normally I keep Aranah on a pontoon but she is on the driveway this winter pending a mooring on thre Hamble in Jan.
I would be happy to take you out next season but can meantime report that sailing her is a bit more like a big dinghy than a heavy yacht. You have to be prepared to depower early and to set the rig according to wind conditions to avoid excessive tip . I find my M sails quite nicely when healed at 30 degrees . This is a bit much for my wife. In choppy Solent conditions she can swing about on the swell meaning that you have to be on your guard and ready on the wheel to adjust.
Going to windward in a heavy choppy sea is difficult due to moderate leaway even thouigh pointing ability is not bad ( I keep the line with most other craft of similar size) .
So the answer is ..you can do it but sailing a Mac in heavy weather can be challenging although if one is prepared to use a bit of motor one can motorsail very effectively.
Last year I crossed to the Isle of Wight in a Force 8 to 9 no problem with reefed sail and small amount of engine. No other boats out there!
I have also had a fantastic beam reach sail across 8 miles from Belle Isle to Huat in Quiberon Bay with about 3 meters of swell behind us .
Roly simpson
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