Need advice - buying new MacGregor26M 2005

[Eugene]

Hi Guys,

I am new in this community but I am already enjoying very match discussions especially modifications.
I am looking for advice.
I am going to order new MacGregor 26M 2005 next month in my area (we have only one dealership in Ontario selling MacGregors).
I have some sailing experience and going to use it for powerboating and sailing.
I wont to keep price of package low and have difficulties to put right priorities on items from Optional List (Factory Optional List and Dealer Optional List) .
I attached list with all optional items, all prices in $ Can. I listed items considering by me high priority in RED color (I could be wrong) . Some items could be purchased as a Kit and install by owner (I indicated price with and without installation where available).
I can install some items by myself but do not wont to spend a lot of time on installation from another site I wont to keep price down (I am still waiting for lucky lottery ticket).

I appreciate any advice from this wonderful and useful MacGregor community.

I attached list with all Optional Items below:


Factory Optional Items:
$329 Jib Sail, 130 sq.ft for furler
$99 Jib Equipment (adjustable low profile fairlead blocks and sheets)
$869 Roller Furling System (CDI Model FF2) w/Leadback Blocks & Line
$139 Vang (for better control of mainsail shape) & Topping Lift
$79 Steering Linkage Bar (connect motor to steering system)
$665 Surge Brakes For Trailer
$299 Cockpip Seat Cushions
$699 Cockpit Sun Shade
$219 Boarding & Swim Ladder
$399 Built-In Countertop Alcohol Stove
$149 Mast Raising System
$329 Anchor Shade
$159 Antifouling Bottom Paint (Kit Form Only)
$259 Barbeque, Sport Extreme Deluxe (Propane, With Rail Mount & Extension)
$289 Cockpit Table, Pedestal Mounted & Removable
$50 Honda Throttle Handle Attitude Correction
$119 Large Gas Tank (12 gal US) with Honda Fitting
$189 Lazy Jacks for Mainsail (Kit $139)
$139 Mainsail Slab Reefing On Boom Upgrade
$298 Mainsail Sail Cover Made from Yacht Acrylle
$159 Mainsail Slugs With Jacklines & Sail Track Stop
$399 Marine Head With Pumpout (Inland Type)
$55 Outboard motor lock
$219 Solar Deck Vent (Kit $169)
$240 Spare Tire with Rim
$49 Spare Tire Holder (Kit $34)
$20 Spare Tire Lock or Trailer Hitch Lock (each)
$99 Steering Wheel - Larger Size
$89 Stern Boarding Handle By Ladder
$1199 Stern Seats Installed with Back Gate
$159 Winter Boat Cover with Tie Down Line
$99 Wind Indicator, Masthead (Kit $69)

CANVAS:

$1389 Bimini Top, Free Standing
$1689 Dodger (Handles, Extra Support Arms, Hand Guard, Zip-Out Window)
$439 Transom unit between Dodger & Bimini
$199 Transom Cover Under Helmsman's Seat
$4699 Complete Enclose with s3 Screened Opening Window

Light Package

$199 Large Fuse Panel & 12V Receptacle, Extra light In Rear Berth

INSTRUMENTATION

$785 LCR-W Knot-Log & Depth Sounder ($545 owner installed)
$279 LTD 260 Depth Gauge ($179 owner installed)
$669 Raytheon ST40 Windspeed/Wind Angle ($479 owner installed)
$229 Saturn Bulkhead Mounted Compass ($149 owner installed)
$669 Uniden VHF Radio/Antenna/Socket ($339 owner installed)
$949 Polaris VHF Radio/2nd Wireless Mic./Antenna ($740 owner installed)


Dealer Optional Items:

$299 Mooring Package include:
15ib Danforth Style Anchor (for 5kg Bruce Style Anchor - Add $34)
6' of 1/4" Anchor Lead Chain (White Polymer over Hot Galvanized)
2 Anchor/Chain, Chain/Rope Shackles
200' of 3/8" Nylon Double Braid Anchor Rode
1 Thimble Spliced Into End of Rode
4 Fenders w/6' Lines
5 Mooring Lines (2x10', 2x15', 1x30')

$799 Outboard Honda Motors Parts & Installation

$1199 Shore Power Package include:
Shore Power Inlet on Hull
110v Breaker Panel
110v Ground Fault Receptacle in Cabin
Second Battery with Battery Switch
10A Two Bank Marine Battery Charger
Shore Power Cord 30A, 50 ft

$529 Single Handed Package include:
Mainsail Slugs with Jacklines
Sail Track Stop For slugs
Main Halyard Lead Back to Cockpit (longer Halyard)
Single Halyard Stopper
Jib Halyard Lead Back to cockpit (longer Halyard)
Second Single Halyard Stopper

$129 Tow Tube Package (Tube, Quick Release, Tow Rope, Tow Harness)

[mike]

Congrats on the new boat. My opinion:

Drop the Cockpit Seat Cushions (they absorb water, so if they happen to be out when it rains, you get a wet bottom when you sit). You can either use those little square throwable cushion thingies, or buy a set of foam cockpit cushions that don't absorb water (there are a couple of companies that sell sets sized for MacGregors).

You might want to consider, instead of the single 12-gallon fuel tank, going with 2 (or 4) 6-gallon tanks... it's MUCH easier to get these smaller tanks on and off the boat (assuming you'll be buying your gas at a gas station and not dockside).

Consider getting the main halyard led aft (perhaps this package is cheaper than listed, since the jib halyard doesn't need to be done).

Regarding the headsail selection, think about what kind of winds you'll mostly be sailing in... if you think you'll have light to moderate winds, the larger genoa might be a better choice than the regular jib.

If you're looking to save some money, you might be able to make do without the shore power package (you can always add this later yourself if you find you need it).

--Mike

[Bobby T.-26X #4767]

don't go with the tow tube package unless you plan on installing a larger horse power motor.
suggestions....90 evinrude etec or nissan tohatsu 90. both weigh less than the suzuki 70 - the standard that is currently being installed in the states.

[craiglaforce]

For what it's worth, here are some quick thoughts I had.



$869 Roller Furling System (CDI Model FF2) w/Leadback Blocks & Line
Seems high, I would call CDI directly to get a quote.


$139 Vang (for better control of mainsail shape) & Topping Lift (you can buy a set of much better fiddle blocks from west marine for about $100 to use for the mainsheet control and then transfer the cheaper ones that come with the boat to be used as a vang. )
$79 Steering Linkage Bar (connect motor to steering system)
$665 Surge Brakes For Trailer (Isn't this standard?)


$299 Cockpip Seat Cushions (delete, poor quality)
$699 Cockpit Sun Shade (seems high priced, even in canadian $) Maybe check with a local canvas guy to see what he charges.
$219 Boarding & Swim Ladder
$399 Built-In Countertop Alcohol Stove (I bought my origo built in stove from Defender for about $150 USD (it was a fwe years ago though) www.defender.com . Took about 15 minutes to cut the counter with a jigsaw and install it.

$240 Spare Tire with Rim (This can be had from Boater's world for $100 US. At least this was for a bias ply with painted wheel for the 26X. ALthough with the M being heavier you may need a stronger radial tire). Galvanized wheel might add another few bucks.
$49 Spare Tire Holder (Kit $34) (throw the spare in the truck. who needs this?)

In general it looks like you are being charged over 100% markup on accessories. Maybe it is worth it to you not to have any hassle, but I sure would shop the prices around a bit.

[Frank C]

That RF price of $869 HAS TO include the sail, right? . . . probably as cheap as you'd find elsewhere. You may want to buy the CDI direct and choose an upgraded jib or Genoa, but you'll probably be spending more than 800 bucks.

[baldbaby2000]

Hi Eugene. We just got a 2005 26M. I wanted a wind direction/speed system but when I got to thinking about it I realized that with a rotating mast a standard unit won't show the correct apparent wind. See the discussion under the topic "Wind direction indicator on rotating mast." One needs a mast sensor postion input to the system to get the correct apparent wind readout. I don't think the ST40 has this option. I've been trying to get more information at http://www.tecnautic.com/e-usd/wind_e02.htm on their system but haven't gotten an answer from them yet. If you come up with a solution, please let me know.

[Duane Dunn, Allegro]

Just so you know, many of the things you list in the factory section DO NOT come from the factory. They are dealer added, with additional money in the dealers pocket.

I'll take a closer look at the list in the AM.

[Sloop John B]

Dealers make their money on the options. Their prices are way too high to go with this.

If you're not discouraged, buy the basic boat and add as you go with better, cheeper stuff.

I wish I would have.

[NYharleyrider]

Hi Eugene...

Congratulations on your new purchase.
I'm also a new 2005 26M owner and my Mac will be delivered next Spring.

I'm from Rochestetr, NY and from your description of where you're buying I'm guessing you're on Lake Ontario too.

I picked out a lot of the same options you've picked out and added Garmin's 276C GPS unit and plan on making trips all over the lake next year. If you're interested it would be fun to meet another Mac owner and travel together on a trip or two.

Take Care and good luck with your new boat.

Brian.

[Divecoz]

So as I read from numerous post . . .many of the things a dealer would LOVE $$$$ to sell me can in fact be bought else where. Ahhhhh but for the newbee where is else where ?? I am looking at making a healthy investment (cash out of hand ) and would like to be in the best position I can be for dealing with the dealer. I do not begrudge anyone making a living , as that is what we all do in some form or another. I just don't want to be raped pillaged and plundered.
Sooooooo with that list in hand where might this new guy and I start looking for comparable prices ??? Thanks to all you guys BTW . This is BTW a great site/board .

[Moe]

Just for comparison:

http://www.boats4sail.info/options.html

Bill also has his own vang kit for $130 USD (IIRC) that includes better blocks for the mainsheet, using the MacGregor blocks for the vang (same as the MacGregor vang). It also includes snap shackles for the mainsheet and vang IIRC.

My recommendation would be to spend some time at defender.com, shipstore.com, sailnet.com, bwyachts.com, powersailing.com and even the boatersworld and west marine websites to get an idea of what you should be paying for things.

Spend some time here with the search feature, and you'll find recommendations for fenders, anchors, and other gear.

--
Moe