WHY IS THE MAC DISRESPECTED AMONG SAILORS

[BK]

I have had 3 other sail boats and like my X the best. I am sure that no matter what boat you got someone will say there is a better boat and more than likely it is his boat. I doubt that most sailers have the experience to judge the thousands of models and designs to give a good view of what to buy. It took me years to check out the Mac and talk with many Mac owners before I bought my X.

[ferd johns]

I have owned and enjoyed a lot of snobby and not so snobby sailboats: three Bristols, a Cape Dory, three O'Days, a Kent Ranger 26, a Marsh Hen, a Dovekie ........ you get the point. As others have already said, I am way past worrying about what others think. For several years in the late 80's, I cruised the Chesapeake and Florida Keys in my Marsh Hen and Dovekie beach cruisers, along with a very select (just ask them) group of hair-shirt "clubbies". A water-ballasted MacGregor 26 D went everywhere our beach campers went. It cost less than our limited editions, sailed faster, was almost as shoal draft, and was way more comfortable with its pop top and real bunks. No leaky canvas and soggy air matresses.

Then I moved to Montana. And I got older. After dragging other boats over the Rockies for a while, I bought my first X in 2001, because I wanted a light boat, easy to tow over the passes, but one that some family and friends could live aboard with me comfortably for several weeks in the Pacific Northwest. I sold it four years later, having been seduced away by a handsomely traditional, great sailing Kent Ranger 26, in which I enjoyed the San Juans and Gulf Islands, just as I had w/my Mac X. But it was heavy, and I had to keep it on the West coast. It was transportable, not trailerable. I sold that boat a little over a year ago and bought another X. It just fits for me. I hope to make it to Baja, Morro Bay, Monterey Bay, the Channel Islands, Lake Powell, Desolation Sound, Alaska, the Apostles, the Bahamas, and of course back to the Keys and the Chesapeake. I'm 67, so that may be pushing it, but I can trailer, rig and launch this boat more easily than any other I have owned. It is as comfortable and efficient a cruiser, if you consider both sailing and powering, as I have ever owned. I do admit that the X and M both look a bit funny to me. I like the way my Cape Dory, Bristols, O'Days and the Kent Ranger looked a lot better. Kind of traditional. And more heavily built. And not at all appropriate for my lifestyle. So forget the critics. Don't plan to cross the Pacific, but you can plan to cross the continent. At 55 mph. To the next cool place to sail. Just buy one and have fun.

Ferd

[Ratbast857]

Just new here but have to add to this topic. I have been looking at Mac ever since I first heard about them on the internet while looking for something that would be both a sailboat and towable ( easily ). The Mac fits the bill. Also I live north of the US border near the St-Lawrence River which links lake Ontario the the Gulf of St-Lawrence. So I have a lot of water to cover if I want to. Anyway in certain area we have to deal with the tide and it so happen to be that my cottage is located in such an area on the St-Lawrence River ( if you can call 15 miles wide, a river ). Anyway, last summer I found out that two of my cousin who are both professional seaman ( one is a Cost Guard Captain and the other one is with Merchant Marine ) each bought a Macgregor (26S and a 26X.) I was very please. This confirm that for my use, it would be an excellent boat and if it is good enough for these experience sailor, it's good enough for me. IMHO those who talk down to the Mac are simply jealous of their versatility. I don't knock down keeled sailboat, they are like a big motorhome, but they sure cost a whole lot more to own and operate. This is why I want a Mac. Looking forward to reading and learning from all your post. Now if I can only reconcile my love for motorbike and sailboat.....they are two demanding mistress. I am torn between the X and the M but they both have their advantages.

Ciao

[pokerrick1]

ferdjohns - - - WELL SAID, SIR

Rick

[Russ]

I think the "snobs" are those who are purists and racers. Many don't actually own a boat but mooch on other boats.
The Mac isn't gonna win any races, it's built lightweight (so it can be towed easier) and most importantly it has a big honkin' motor on the back. For the snobs this is a deal breaker. They view it as a powerboat only. It's a hybrid and we must realize it serves a unique boater. The boat fits a niche.

For a 26' boat it's huge. I've owned other "real" sailboats like Hunters and they are built well, but they are a single purpose boat. The Mac can get up to shore, pull toys, return home quickly and be towed anywhere over land.

Let the snobs dis the boat, who cares? The folks at SA aren't exactly people I'd want to hang out with anyway. Personally, I've received nothing but compliments on our Mac.



--Russ

[CaptDave]

I have an interesting history with the MacGregor evolution. I was born and raised in OC near Roger's factory in Costa Mesa. My first boat other than a sabot or fish was a 1978 Mac 25 with the newly engineered retractable keel. I was on that boat so much the dealer, Eddie Arnold and famed broker Barry Wood asked me to give lessons to newbie owners. Most of these new owners didn't even know how to sail, yet they were now proud yachtsmen living 20, 50 or more miles from the ocean. This is where it all started. Snob nosed, white pantie sailers in Newport Beach didn't approve. Roger and his gang were providing access to the 'others' one of the most wonderful activies to do on earth, sail! Now my 25 stayed in the water and I could actually afford it because my slip was under a bridge off of Newport Island, most boats could not venture that far back into the harbor, less any sailboat, except a Hobie cat or the like. As the years went Roger introduced the water ballast system, honestly when I first saw it I thought he was crazy. And now I'm supposed to teach people how to sail on this? Much to my surprise it worked and it worked well. I'm absolutely amazed at his innovations. The M class is certainly a great achievment. If anyone doesn't think so, please tell me why everyone keeps copying 'his' design. From the retracting keel to the water ballast to the next generation of boats, a 'real' power-sailor. I know he builds them cheap, so what? They conform to the CG requirements on safety and stability. I've sailed them in gail force winds I lived to talk about it, wow. I probably wouldn't sail around the world in one, but that doesn't mean it can't be done. By the way, I've owned most all the production fixed keel blue water crusers and I'm a USCG Master. I recently just sold by Beneteau First 35s5 and due to the high cost of slips in So. Ca.I'm thinking about going back to the first sailboat I bought as a teenager, another MacGregor!

[Hamin' X]

Welcome aboard Capt. Dave,

Great story and very much what the Macgregor is all about and why it is so loved/despised. Don't be a stranger 'round these parts, I'm sure that you have a lot to offer us on the board. Oh, and check out the classifieds at the top of the page. Your next boat might be just around the corner.

~Rich

[dbcounihan]

I've owned my 26M for 4 years now, and have had very few people dis my boat.
I keep my boat on a plug in the Fox River in northeastern Wisconsin near Lake Winnebago and am
surrounded by a variety of types of sailboats ranging from cruisers to J-boats and Melges 24s, and sailors with experience ranging from neophytes to world class racers.
At least to my face, most sailors tell me they are impressed with the room and versatility of the 26M.
As I've matured(?) I've decided that what's important to ME may not be important to others, and I really
don't care what other people think of me or my toys.
"Status" is buying things you can't afford in order to impress people who don't matter. I buy things that work for me and my family; if others don't agree, that's their problem.

[Irafatsar]

I am liking this thread more and more. it just validates my decision to purchase a m26 (my part of stimulating the economy ) more, I cant sleep at night waiting for delivery, and spending every spare moment on this site reading every thread and mod. hopefully I will get the call next week. I so look forward to sailing San Diego Bay, Mission Bay, up and down the coast, lake mead, big bear lake and lake Powell with my power boat, houseboat buddies. His ski boat cost 50k+, but at the end of the day he cant sleep on it so he needs to co own a houseboat and share weeks with 10 other couples.
Personally the Mac26M fits our lifestyle perfectly, and gets my family back on the water and close, right where we should be.

respect
Ira

[Obelix]

"Status" is buying things you can't afford in order to impress people who don't matter. I buy things that work for me and my family; if others don't agree, that's their problem.

Great statement, I couldn't agree more!

[John McDonough]

I sailed my 1988 26D into the Yacht club to visit old friends, some of these guys are serious big boat sailors and racers, and simply looking at a Macgregor you can see the least expensive hardware. I dont know if its real disrespect, but for only $10,000 what do you expect. One of the most common comments is that it would be torn apart in a rough weather. I replied, Most of you guys dont leave the dock if the winds get near 20mph. Out on the water I easily outsailed all the cruisers.

10 years later I bought the 26X. a few comments that it was cheap and funny looking, but for only $18,000+motor, what do you expect. Out on the water It didnt help any that the 26x was a slow sailboat compared to other brands. Yes I know these guys are laughing as they Sail past me..

Sailors looking for a performance Sailboat would not consider a Macgregor.

[AxelH]

I don't care what other people say. I like the Mac for what it is and thats why I will buy one. Sailed on much bigger boats like Gulfstar 50, Morgan, C&C etc. But try to haul them some place LOL. Looking through all the great mods I doubt that the boat will see the water anytime soon once I get it cause you guys are giving so great advise that I will probably start working on it as soon as I have it.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

"Status" is buying things you can't afford in order to impress people who don't matter. I buy things that work for me and my family; if others don't agree, that's their problem.

Great statement, I couldn't agree more!

Indeed...

Incidentally, Im content with the "X" -- and satisfied with the general quality. My 50 HP Nissan (same as Tohatsu) has been dependable & reliable.

My personal opinion between the Mac M and Mac X is that the "M" is a better looking boat. I tend to like the Mac X interior set up a "smidgin" better...But, when Roger designed the "M", he did an excellent job on exterior lines in my opinion.

My additional 2 cents worth.

[dutchwinter]

I don't think it a matter of status, and I don't think other sailors are jealous. there are some facts that no one can argue, and that's that the MAC doesn't sail like other boats do. the true sailboat just performs better under sail. and the same goes for the powerboat people. a big speedboat with a 250 on it, is bound to motor better. what the sailboat people and the powerboat people don't understand is that the mac isn't either, and its not both, its a different animal.
its a huge tailerable powersailor. it truly is in a class by itself, well that is, till hunter made the edge. becasue its unique but has features of a sailboat, the sailboat people will compare it only to their sailboat and it doesn't really compare that well. same goes to the powerboat people. but you find me a powerboat with the accommodation that the mac has and I'll show you a boat that's more expensive than my house. yup just ran a search on yachtworld, all more spendy than my house. and the sailboats that compare like the Hunters and Catalinas of the same size, they cant handle the motoring, and the hull shape would be an issue if they did manage to throw a 60 hp on them anyhow.
no, I expect with the edge out now, you'll find alot of the old comments ceasing. With Hunter breaking into the class, its good for us, but maybe bad for Roger, but that's another thread entirely. with competition, you get improvements if not in one area then another. who knows whats coming next?
after searching for about 2 years, I kept on coming back to the 26m. I don't have any preference for any company, I just think it was the best fit for us. that is all. I did have to deal with brokers trying to steer me away form it, but with the features, its just the best boat for us.

[School House Steve]

Ira,

Why wait for your boat to be delivered? Go get it! Talk to your dealer about picking it up at the factory. I saved $1000 off the delivery charge and made a vacation out of driving to LA, visiting relatives there. I drove down on the coast highway 1 to escape the 115 degree temps inland. Picking up the boat at the factory was like a pilgrimage, I could smell the fiberglass resin a block before I could see the factory. Got a first hand tour of the factory and then out to the parking lot to check out MY boat. Got to talk with a couple of employees who actually worked on my boat. After hooking up to the boat I drove to the nearest West Marine store and spent over $2000 on basic goodies like anchor, dock lines, GPS, VHF, etc. Found out you get a discount for buying a new boat! It took me 3 days to drive back on I 5, again in 115 degree temps visiting more relatives in the Napa Valley. The second night I stopped for the night at a rest stop in southern Oregon and slept in the boat for the first time. Every where I stopped I got compliments about how good the boat looked

Steve