Buying my first sailboat, going to be new

[jeff pittman]

i have looked at a few used boats and concluded that my first boat will be new. The Edge is out for weight considerations and price. You just don't save much by going used or pre-owned as the dealer calls it. Picking a dealer is not so easy, I go to Texas a lot but none of the Texas dealers respond to my call. I am in Denver now so it will be a long distance arrangement no matter who I get it from. Kelley Hanson seems to offer a good price but he is not on the Macgregor dealer list and thay "don't have a boat at this time". Kellys web sight lists special sails which I want but I am not sure about sending money to them for a boat to be sent later. The first call to the factory was vague about whether Kelly was a dealer or not. Are they a dealer and has anyone bought a boat from them. I did find out that H & S is no longer a dealer but they are still selling one used 26M.

[tangentair]

Do an Advanced Search of the forum tab above for dealers and you will find that a regular group of dealers have given the members good service and the members have passed on their satisfaction with them. You will find some dealer bashing threads but we try to stop that sort of thing here. We are not the better business bureau chat pages. There are excellent experienced dealers in LA and Seattle and Milwaukee, and since you seem to have contacted the local Denver dealer and had no success, you might want talk to them. They are as close as Texas. I can speak highly of my dealer Bill @ Boats4Sail. I know others feel the same way about their dealers. (but Bill has the best looking legs)

[dennisneal]

The Factory Authorized Dealer List has been significantly reduced in the past few months.

The current list may be found at:

http://www.macgregor26.com/dealer_list/dealer.htm

If there isn't a highly qualified dealer in your area, I recommend you contact Mike Inmon at the factory.

[bscott]

I live in Arvada and have done business with Kelly Hansen-AWK on this board, bought a used from John at Super Sport Marine in Kearney Nebraska and rigging work from Sam at The Anchorage in Lyons.

Can't go wrong with any of these dealers. John at SSM will deliver boats to the Denver area.

PM me if you need help,

bscott

[John Christian]

Another vote for John ast SSM! call him you wont be disapointed.

[daydreamerbob]

My advice -
Having a new boat is awesome - and being the only one to scratch, ding, dent and wreck it is pretty cool too. But looking back on the whole ordeal, considering the economy and all - i think i would spend time finding a good used MAC - and some time evaluating x vs M for my situation. At the end of the day new or used - as an owner you have the exact same experience - you sail - sorta, you power boat, sorta, you camp out - sorta - new or used the experience does not change. some of the best resources on this board are satisfied x owners - and they would not swap!!! so - given that - i would say - search for a used boat that meets your needs before you spend the jack for a new boat that meets your wants. my deal was 36k - and i cannot honestly say that i am 31 k happier than a guy that just picked up an x for 5 k!

DDB

[Gazmn]

My my Bob,
How much you've grown

At the end of the day new or used - as an owner you have the exact same experience - you sail - sorta, you power boat, sorta, you camp out - sorta - new or used the experience does not change. some of the best resources on this board are satisfied x owners - and they would not swap!!! so - given that - i would say - search for a used boat that meets your needs before you spend the jack for a new boat that meets your wants. my deal was 36k - and i cannot honestly say that i am 31 k happier than a guy that just picked up an x for 5 k!

Wise and true words from a man who not too long ago caught the mac bug.

[Bill Earnhardt]

Try Paul in Utah, I have purchased 2 new mac from him over the last 6 years, last one a 2006.
He even let me pick it up from the factory, and saved me a bundle.
phone 801-209-0293

[Obelix]

You could as well check Arena Yachts in San Rafael (San Francisco Area).
I bought last spring my new 2008 M from Arena and can highly recommend them.
Knowing that I was a complete newbie they did not try to sell everything available, but helped me to make a sensible purchase. Jeff and Dan's finishing work is high quality and their support after the sale is second to none.
They spend a whole day with us on the bay when we took delivery, giving us great inservice.

[NiceAft]

Jeff,

You never mentioned whether or not you have ever been on a sailboat. If no, then I strongly recommend getting out on one. If yes, but not a Mac, then again, get out on one. The experience is quite different from powerboating, and other sailboats. Before making any dollar commitment, make certain that you enjoy the experience. It could save you from making a mistake. What we on this board love to do (sailing. ) , is not for everyone. The old saying about an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is very appropriate.


Ray

[c130king]

Jeff,

You are probably already aware of this but just to be sure don't forget to factor in the cost of the "extras" that are frequently already on a previously owned boat that you have to buy for a new boat:

- motor
- fuel tanks/lines
- head sail/furler
- main/head sail covers
- lines led aft
- lazy jacks
- reefing system
- electronics/radios/compass
- comfort items such as cockpit cushions or bimini
- safety items such as flares/air horn, etc...
- and other neat PO mods such as shelves, storage, fridge, fans, etc....

That is why I bought a used boat...for many of these things. $21,500 seems like a great price...but you have to factor in all these other things if you want them...and everyone seems to want them.

Ray's advice is spot-on. I took a 3-day sailing course before I bought to confirm that sailing was the hobby for me.

Good Luck and welcome to the wonderful world of sailing.

Cheers,
Jim

[pokerrick1]

Jeff,
You never mentioned whether or not you have ever been on a sailboat. If no, then I strongly recommend getting out on one. If yes, but not a Mac, then again, get out on one. The experience is quite different from powerboating, and other sailboats. Before making any dollar commitment, make certain that you enjoy the experience. It could save you from making a mistake. What we on this board love to do (sailing. ) , is not for everyone. The old saying about an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure is very appropriate.
Ray

Once in a while - - - Ray is correct Go take a ride on a sailboat if you haven't already. That is exactly what SOLD me finally - - - but it might be the opposite for you!

Good Luck!

Rick

[Terry]

What c130king said is spot on!
I bought new and sure it is nice to be the first one to use it, but not so nice to put the first scratch in, you'll cry.
There are many costs to be added in when outfitting a new boat and they are not trivial, I know from experience, and I am still spending six years later.
That said if you are still bent on new and live near KH (Denver) you may want to attempt to contact them again for only one reason, swap out the OEM mainsail for the new Musclehead. No sense getting the OEM main on a new boat when there may be an option to get the Musclehead, it is a better sail. That is my only only reason for mentioning KH, otherwise choose the dealer carefully and get all the extras you can afford so that you don't have to install them later. It is a pain.

[irayone]

i am picking up my new used 26 m 2005 next week....Got a screaming deal on a fully loaded boat...Went to Mac factory 30,000.00 for a striped boat.Nothing on it...There are boats out there in this economy that people are dumping. You may have to cross a few states to get to it. Most of the used Macs I saw had very low hours. I saw a 2001 26X in Dana Point Ca. for 16,000.00 super clean. Probably pick it up for 12,000.00. I have had big boats, Pearson 385, Catalina 32, Rawson 34 and I am totaly excited to get the Mac. What a scream !!!!! I can take this boat to surfing spots along the California coast that no one else can get to.....HAHAHA !!! My deam boat is a Lagoon 380 Catamaran. WOW !

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

i am picking up my new used 26 m 2005 next week....Got a screaming deal on a fully loaded boat...Went to Mac factory 30,000.00 for a striped boat.Nothing on it...There are boats out there in this economy that people are dumping. You may have to cross a few states to get to it. Most of the used Macs I saw had very low hours.

Salute on finding a good deal ! !
This is an unusual market, and I also think it's a buyers boat market. The pricing on "keel" boats are very attractive...but Im sold on the Mac, and water ballast system for shallow water motoring.
If I were on the hunt for a MacGregor, I probably would pick either of the best deals on an "M" or "X" (both are nice with the same versatility). I once owned a Mac 26 Classic, swing centerboard, but the 8 HP wasnt as much fun as 50 HP on my "X". My choice of the "X" was a result of finding a "good deal" also. Very low hours on the engine, and mint boat condition.