MacGregor 26 the boat for Me???

[Macboomer]

I’m looking at getting my first boat, I have no sailboat experience and limited motorboat *nothing over 20’* I live in Black River NY, its near Watertown and about a 20min drive to a boat launch on lake Ontario. I’m married with 2 kids. My son Conner is 4 and my daughter Maria is 5. I looking for something easy to learn on to take out on weekends to spend time with the family and maybe trailer to Maine for a week or two in the summer, I like the idea of the MacGregor 26M or 26X, the ability to sail and pull the kids around on a tube seems perfect. I’m looking for any advice as I start my boat hunting ……. I plan on taking a ASA sailing class before purchasing anything and don’t see myself ever going into the deep blue, just around the lake and maybe some coastal stuff in Maine. Mostly I would just trailer the boat to Lake Ontario for weekend trips. Also I am in the Army and gone a lot (Iraq currently) so I am wondering how the boat handles sitting out for a season every now and then…. I plan on storing the boat outside behind my house … is this ok? Is a MacGregor for me?????? Well any help would be great thanks for your time everyone.

[pokerrick1]

Welcome - - - and thanks for your service. You'll get a lot of good advice shortly.

Lake Ontario can be tough on an inexperienced boater - - get as much hands on training as you can - - - -fortunately boaters love helping other boaters.

Rick

PS And boating is a great family experience (as long as you don't kill everybody)

[c130king]

Macboomer,

Sounds like the Mac is right for you. I too am military. Currently live in the UK...boat is in Florida. It sat there for 18 months (Jul 07 - Dec 08) before I flew home for XMas and 12 days of great sailing. I keep it in the MWR storage lot on NAS Jacksonville...inexpensive and convienent storage. No problem storing it for a long time. I kept it covered with a tarp and my Dad checked up on it every now and again. All I did was change the lower unit oil (10 minute job) and it was ready to go. Hopefully I will get back to my boat later this Summer or early fall for a week of modifications...with no boat to play with I find myself surfing and buying stuff on the internet. Then another Christmas trip for 12 days.

I have learned that I love to sail and yet I appreciate having the motor for getting places quicker when needed. I don't do the water sports thing with my 40HP but I can appreciate that aspect as well. And since I am in the military and move every couple of years I need the ability to trailer. The Mac can do all of that. And of course it is a great way to go "camping" on the water with your kids. I will bet they will love it as well.

I recommend the ASA course. I took the 3-day ASA 101/103 Combo Course about 2 weeks before I bought my in Nov 06. That was the first time I had ever sailed.

Of course everyone here will recommend the Mac. You definitely need to check a few out and ensure the family likes it as well.

Good Luck,
Jim

[Kelly Hanson East]

Macboomer - KHE here in Albany NY, a couple hours east.

Ontario is big water...fine to go out on in good conditions for a beginner, if you go out in rough conditions it can challenge the most experienced sailor.

I sail Ontario out of the other end (Wilson NY) - there are lots of good comfortable sailing days in the season.

THe other venue you can enjoy is heading down to Oswego, dropping mast, and picking up the Erie Canal (especially in fall season) for cruising with kids.

Ive been cruising with my 11 years old twin girls for 7 years now, around upstate NY and Cape Cod!

[ausmike]

The Mac will be perfect for you and the family.

For storing in the back yard I would suggest that you go to Lowes or Home Depot and buy one of those big silver covers. I got one for my that is 30' X 20' for about $80. Fits perfectly to keep the whole thing snug with some strategically placed bungies and it all stays dry and clean and out of the sun. Have even taken to leaving the self furling Genoa (with a sun cover over it) and halyards on now to save that rigging time at the ramp. With a little practice you can have it off or on in 15 minutes.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Ontario is big water...fine to go out on in good conditions for a beginner, if you go out in rough conditions it can challenge the most experienced sailor.

Thats advice I can totally agree with...I've been Mac sailing nearly 4 years now, and sudden wind gusts continue to "white knuckle" my crew. The Mac has its own sailing characteristics...tends to like to "lean way over -- suddenly" << until you become accustomed to that trait...it "white knuckles" the crew...

The Mac is a fine family boat...floats when flooded, basically quite safe, and the versatility is unbeatable.

Happy Sailing !

[Russ]

I would also like to thank you for your service. We certainly appreciate your sacrifice.

It sounds like a good boat for you. It's a great family boat that you can drag around on wheels. I love sailing and the kids love being towed on a tube. Kind of the best of both worlds.
I've owned sailboats and powerboats. After a short while, the powerboat thing gets old and boring. A powersailor gives you more options.

You will know if you are hooked after the sailing class. Start there or find a friend to take you out.

The Mac is a fine family boat...floats when flooded, basically quite safe

Has anyone actually flooded a Mac? Well besides for the factory and that one complete and total imbecile?

[Gazmn]

MacB,

Welcome to our forum You'll get a lot of good advice - as you have received already.
Thank you And your family for your service and the sacrifices that entails. We all wish you the very best.

Ditto, the Mac seems like a good fit for you. Take your time in purchasing, ask a lot of questions to the previous owner and feel free to bounce your concerns off of us. If you choose new there are several good and reputable dealers that are also members here and will be glad to accommodate you. I prefer used for the amount of stuff previous owners have added and installed - provided it was done right the first time

My question is: what are you planning to tow it with, back & forth to Maine. The video shows a car doing such and or other unsuitable item, don't let it fool you.

This might become another part of your boat budget

Or, it may limit you, for a time, regarding your ability to travel and dunk it anywhere. Is a seasonal marina, slipped or moored a possibility?

Boating is fun & can be expensive -- or expensively fun. Because the de$ire$ never end...

I too have taken the ASA courses. They were fun and also very expensive, because of how I did it. {10 year anniversary vacation in Florida} I was trying to entice the Admiral into cruising life

With hindsight, I wish I'd used that money in practical boating experience and items for OUR boat, which I had already purchased.

By all means join Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary, Take A Safe Boating Course. Find or make a friend who already has a boat - especially a Mac And help them help you to see if boating & or Macs will work for you. Speaking of which, is there anyone on board that's close in proximity

I'm near NYC. If you're ever in my area feel free to PM me and I'll see if we can hook up this season.

All the best 2 U

[Québec 1]

MacB,

Welcome to our forum You'll get a lot of good advice -

My question is: what are you planning to tow it with, back & forth to Maine. The video shows a car doing such and or other unsuitable item, don't let it fool you.



This might become another part of your boat budget
All the best 2 U

We are at least 3 doing it with a car but they wish to remain anonymous

Q1

[Macboomer]

Wow..... Thanks guys, a lot of good info.... I plan on towing it with a 2004 Ford Explorer Sport Trac V6 4x4... its rated for 5300 lbs I don't have the tow package but planned on getting one, this should be fine right? ...... Do you need stabilizer bars to tow this boat?? I could slip or moore the boat but I was trying to avoid these costs. Speaking of costs anything I’m overlooking?? What are some typical maintenance costs? Anyone know what registration costs in NY are for a boat like this?? I appreciate everyone’s time and support any and all information is greatly appreciated.

[c130king]

I tow with a 2004 Chevy Trailblazer which I think has a 5600# towing capacity...works just fine...but mpg is cut significantly.

Stabilizer bars are not necessary...I think somebody posted once that they don't work with the type of trailer brakes that are on these trailers.

Slips are great as they allow quick/easy access to the water and it seems to me you get more sailing in since it is quicker and easier...but it can be expensive in some areas. I have done, mast down storage, mast up storage and slip at a marina. Personally I enjoy setting up the boat each time but it is an hour or more (plus another hour or more at the end of the day) that you aren't on the water. Personally I prefer mast-up dry storage at the marina.

Recurring maintenance costs are relatively low IMHO. Gas and oil for my 2-stroke. Lower unit lube once a year (<$15). Haven't had my motor serviced but I think some of the nicer 4-strokes need serviced occassionally...not sure of those costs. Sails and lines last for a relatively long time. I have a barrier coat paint job on the bottom from the PO...don't have anti-fouling...but that can be an expense if you keep your boat in the water.

The big cost is all the mods you will find out about and think "Man, I have just got to get one of those!!!"...that can add up... Trust me I know about this problem...autopilot, dual battery system, new electrical panel, VHF/DSC radio + antenna, marine stereo/CD system + speakers...none of these are "must haves" but they sure are "nice to haves".

Good Luck,
Jim

[bastonjock]

I bought my 26x about 20 months ago,i have not regretted it,in comparrison with other boats it is a relatively inexpensive boat to keep.Last year i had mine on a mooring and after counting it all up allowing for the gas travelling to and from the mooring,i spent $1500.00 just having my boat there.This year im keeping it on my driveway and i am going to trailer sail it,if i want to go sailing i just pop down to the local public slipway,i then have a choice of heading out to sea down the river or going for a motor on the rivers and canals.

This year i plan to drop the boat in the river and sail it down to the sea and around the coast to a place called the Broads,i get the enjoyment of sailing in the sea and my wife and kids will join me at the broads.thats a 2 week vacation that will cost $160.00 plus any gas that i use.

Have you checked out Duanne dunns allegro site? have a look at that,duane takes his famillly on 2-3 week vacations on his

once you get a mac you tend to want to tweek it,the wife will want a better galley etc and you will want a gadget or two,as c130 king said you get into the "must have that" syndrome

[Hamin' X]

Go to the top of the page and explore this site. Under Features=>Articles, you will find articles about the Mac and under Features=>Exploring, you will be able to read travel logs. Then go to Resources=>Sailing Links=>Personal Mac Pages and you have links to a number of websites, including Duane Dunn's.

~Rich

[Kelly Hanson East]

In the Empire State

30 USD per year for trailer registration, 14 USD for inspection annually

3 year Boat registration for 2002 is 75 USD

Insurance 150-200 USD per year upstate

Total fixed costs about 225-300 USD per year, less if you forego insurance of course

If you buy the Erie canal pass, make sure you tell them the boat is actually 25 foot 10 inch, and you save 25 USD on the canal pass. The actual boat length of a is on the Manufacturers Statement of Origin as 25' 10"

[Finn]

Welcome aboard,

Like you, we were new to sailing less two years ago. Learning to sail a 26M is quite easy and we have been on the water many many times. In addition, our children are enjoying the boat as well. For our needs and budget, this boat is perfect.

Finn