A New 33' Quasi Mac?

[Boblee]

AWK111
The basic boat that you pay $21,000 for would I imagine be now about $45,000 but start adding a few extras (like motor) and it will be well into the $60,000-70,000 mark and that will still need plenty more for cruising etc.
I know ours cost about $65-70,000 to set up when the Aust dollar was .70 US but we are now .64 and ours was basically direct from the factory prices and very low transport costs.
When we were on par

s/h macs were selling here for up to $70,000.

not new, new were dearer, optioned up 90 mod were bringing $60+K.
DaveB
The photo below is a Mack 28 which was sold for probably an extra 20% more than a Mac it was hard to tell because it had a lot of standard gear that was equiv to a well optioned Mac, this boat had almost everything you asked for but it just never really took off.
I was tempted because it was a much better caravan, powered better (90hp standard) and sailed far better but like the boat AWK111 is suggesting it couldn't match the standard for versatility, it was almost a dead copy internally to the but came with the option of fixed or swing keel, just looked UGLY IMHO, boat actually had less draft than the .
The company manufacturing them went bust but the moulds are still around.
Duane
Our Hi Lux is only rated at 1800 kg= 4000 lbs and that is if the tray is not loaded your Hi Lux's are rated at 6000lbs

[Richard O'Brien]

Hi Guys

I agree with most the comments. The biggest benefit may be having a vessel that you can haul out easily.

I would be most interested in the keel design. For such a narrow, and light vessel, i would want as much keel as the original racing hull. I noticed that the 240S has most of the daggerboard weight in the upper 1/2. This is great if you go aground. as you needn't worry about losing all your righting leverage. Only the bottom can break off, and that only costs you upwind a little. On the other hand, a lead bulb gives you maximum leverage for the weight. I would like that only if it were attached to the top end with stainless tubes or cables. The advantage of the daggerboard is also an adjustable keel. 3' for the shoals, and 6'-7' for the deep, and storms. I've never heard of a swing bulb? I'm sure it's doable too.

The idea of a saildrive is attractive to save the cavitating stern. I wonder if there would be room between the hull and the trailer? On the other hand, there might already be a bulb down there.

Maybe Leon's concern about the weight in heavy seas could be accommodated with a pair of water-ballast tubes. Hmmm! another ballast adjuster?

I would want a daggerboard that slips in a tight carpet fit like the 240 for the top 3'. I looked at that system, and saw it as a simple thus repairable system with less banging around.

This is all fun stuff to muse about, huh?
Richard

[delevi]

Well, I have about $50k US in my and it does have just about everything you could want, short of Schaeffer furler, which I think I can still do without and a huge engine, which is of no use to me due to typical sea conditions in my pond. Full array of electronics, including Raymarine A60 GPS chartplotter-fishfinder, autopilot, wind instrument, full enclosure, top-of-the-line Quantum sails, custom ballasted keel, etc, etc. At the end of the day, however, it's still a Mac. Certainly will never see most of my investment when it's time to sell, but until I can afford a Catalina 400MKII, it will have to do.

Leon

[bscott]

I can't see how a 33' x 8.5' on a tandem trailer is only going to weigh 5,000#. The bigger the boat the more stuff you haul. This boat would require high maintenanace tandem electric brakes in many states. The general high altitude and numerous hills and high passes in Colorado require alot more meat in the truck than required at sea level. A half ton 2 wheel drive PU is equivalent to Roger's Taurus.

Anyway, deduct $10,000 from the 3/4 ton truck/boat package, a $60,000 package is still too much to spend over my as many of us were attracted to Mac's reasonable price points in the first place. Ok, raise the price, it will surely increase the used Mac's values as well

Bob

[ROAD Soldier]

My back ground is in Aviation for more than 24 years now besides boats. There are plenty of outstanding inovations out there in Aviation and boat building that the problem could be solved relativeliy easily. In Aviation I have seen folding wings on Airplanes and Helicopters, on Sailing Trimarans I have seen folding Amas, in my garage I have a Folbot Greenland II Folding Kayak that has skin that is made out of the same stuff white water rafts are made of, pretty tough stuff. So here is the the solution; make a 33ft Macgregor that has a Folding Beam. Which meens part of it will be soft skin on both side just beyond centerline and will have an easy srew type mechanisism on the inside of the boat that can be electric, manual, or both. Push a button the Boat Compresses inward or Extends outward allong some Beams that could be made out of what ever strong material is cheapest at the time, fiberglass, aluminum, carbon fiber ect... to easy.

[David Mellon]

Perhaps a trimaran? There is a trailerable tri out there already I know, but it is a proven concept. My idea is to use pontoons with a hard bottom and inflatable top giving a slim, light design with low drag. The problems are the main hull would be narrower and the hardware for the swing pontoons would be heavy. I suppose the interior space would be more cramped and about the same square footage.

[AWKIII]

Hi Boblee.

The Mack 28 is an interesting boat.

You are correct, the molds still exist. They are owned by Phil King who is the Mac dealer in Oz.

I had dinner with him about six months ago while he was visiting the U.S.. At that time he was looking into having the boat built somewhere in Asia. Thailand or Vietnam I think.

The boat is far superior to the M in most areas. However, the interior was like stepping into a refrigerator. Very stark and cold. Purely cosmetics and it would be easy to warm things up.

I forget the price he was thinking about selling the boat for here but it wasn't cheap. In addition to the Mac, he would now have to contend with the Edge from Hunter.

I would build this boat in a heartbeat if Phil would sell the tooling. I know what it costs to build a boat and this one can be put together pretty reasonably. The problem is that most builders want to make a mint on each boat instead of trying to use a volume model.

Art

[AWKIII]

Hi Duane.

There will be no way you would be able to put on a 90 horse engine on this boat, let alone a 50.

A 25 will move this boat along quite nicely due to her hull design and light displacement.

This boat has been designed to sail and sail well. The 25 would be an added benefit to move around quicker than a kicker. In reality, all this boat would need would be an 9.9 with electric start and alternator. That way you can keep your batteries charged during an extended cruise.

Art

[AWKIII]

I wish I could pictures and drawings but I can't at this time.

I am using you folks as a sounding board to help me decide if I pull the plug or go for it.

Things to ponder:

1. Take a look at the MacGregor 65 and think about a 33' version of it with a nicer interior. Remember, the 65 only has a 12' beam.

2. This boat has thousands of miles of sailing and racing under her belt. It is an established design and is very capable.

3. It is possible that a well-equipped boat can be brought to the market for just under $50K. She is over 8' longer than the Mac and slightly wider. Build quality would be much better.

4. A well-equipped new 26M will run about $35K today. Is a $15K premium for the 33 worth it? Larger cockpit, larger cabin, better sailing performance?

5. For the guys that like to do it yourself...any interest in purchasing the basic boat and finishing her off yourself? The basic boat would include the hull, deck, keel, interior liner and rudder. You could add items from there.

Thanks for the input. It is greatly appreciated.

Art

[Scott]

All the responses are taking into account max trailerable width. Or excess beam for interior space. Anything over 30' is going to have a ton of interior compared to a mac. when we downsized to a 22' i couldn't believe the difference. It makes the interior all but unusable for anything but crapping and sleeping. Oh and storage.

I would personally want the narrow beam on a big boat.

Narrow = speed

Speed = Good

[Boblee]

For those that are more sailing oriented this boat sounds great especially if the sailing area is close by and the extra living area would be a huge bonus even with a fixed keel if that suits the design and sailing characteristics and could possibly expand it's appeal?
Instead of being more flexible all round perhaps it would be more flexible on the water than a Mac, the 25hp motor in practice for me anyway would not be a problem as my biggest issue with the ETEC is not going over 2000rpm for long periods, I like the 50hp more as a safety feature.
I don't see the 15k as being a huge turn off especially if the boat can be optioned from shell or custom stages with parts supplied after all thats basically how the basic mac is presented.
To look at the Mack 28 compared to a Mac 26 the advantages in size are huge and the sailing and powering characteristics the same but for long road trips for extended periods (more gear) you need a larger tow vehicle (at least a Toyota Cruiser), the use of some roads (here) could be a problem or worry, camping grounds are borderline for the mac in many cases but the extra length could exclude you from many more, as we only travel in daylight permits are probably not a real problem just something you have to do.
In reality if my ramp was just down the road (50k) and the sailing was likely to be a bit of rough coastal sailing or even racing for an appropriately optioned boat it could be a real competitor but for the variety of use we put our Mac to the Mack 28 is border line and this 33' out of the ballpark.
AWK111 Maybe you are asking the wrong group or at least need to expand your audience as it is more of a specialist boat than the Mac

[AWKIII]

Hi Bob.

Thanks for the input.

In my mind, I don't see this as a specialty boat with a small buying audience.

It's just a 33' trailerable sailboat designed to sail well and power a little better than average.

Over the years, MacGregor's have been noted for two things: extreme affordability and trailerability. They have sold over 40,000 boats and less than 8,000 have been powersailors (although there is nothing wrong with them).

The 33 would also be affordable and easily trailerable. Simply a larger alternative to purchasing a new Mac or Hunter Edge and provide the existing Mac owner with a viable way to move-up in size while maintaining ease of use.

As mentioned, this is no wallflower of a boat. It has successfully raced in big water and weather for years.

Please understand one thing. I am not attempting to sell anyone anything. I have been on this board for many years and have read post after post from folks looking for a larger Mac. The sad reality is it will never happen. The factory has already begun reducing production to 300 boats per year and that's pretty much all you can expect from Roger until he retires and the company closes it doors. The land the company sits on is worth a lot more than the business.

Someone has to pick up the ball and run with it. I believe this 33 is pretty viabile and if Phil would ever cough up the Mack 28 tooling, I'd build that one too.

If anyone in Oz knows Phil well, let him know I am still waiting for the molds.

Regards,

Art

[pokerrick1]

I think that before I went for this boat being described, I would go for the 44 Morgan Catalina - - - I know it's alot more money, but I would think of it as the "final" boat, for which a 33' Mac would hopefull not qualify.

Rick

[Shane]

One of the things that have saved me from 2' itis is that there is no 28 or 30' Mac. Until there's something like what you're talking about, we won't be considering a different boat until after the 2 girls have grown and are out on their own (another 10 years....if ever ). At that time I imagine we'd be looking at a traditional sailboat, something in the 32-36' range. Because there's nothing else to step up to, we haven't considered anything else. I'd be happy with something that sails a bit better but still has a bit of a speed option; my wife grew up on power boats and while the sailing is growing on her, 15 knots has kept the trips across the strait an enjoyable experience on those windless days.

Regards,
Shane

[delevi]

I'm sort of with Shane on this. For a trailerable, the Mac fits the bill nicely. Going into the mid 30s or larger, I would opt for a traditional (non-trailarble) sailing yacht. Would be nice to have one of each

Leon