Pulled the trigger

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
Post Reply
rfrye94760
Chief Steward
Posts: 95
Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:22 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Roselle, IL "s/v Mitaza" 2010 26M, MACM 2536 H910, Evinrude ETEC 60HP slipped Racine, WI

Pulled the trigger

Post by rfrye94760 »

:D After seeing Bill at Boats 4 Sail in Oconomowoc, WI this past weekend, I was sold. 2010 M, white hull, Etec 60HP. Added Bill's deck package and just a few other options. Keeping it pretty basic for now until (as advised by a couple of friendly forum members, thanks) I see how we're using it and what we want to add or modify. Looking at late Aug. or early Sept. delivery so I have a few weeks before I need to tell my wife :? . Anybody else experienced this odd feeling of extreme happiness tinged with a little nausea.
User avatar
1st Sail
Captain
Posts: 680
Joined: Wed Dec 31, 2008 11:58 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Moline, IL '06M 50hp Etec
Contact:

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by 1st Sail »

You will never regret your decision. There was a rather humerous post some time ago about a guy that bought a 26M before he told his wife. As I recall there was a lengthy contribution by all the members with suggestions as to how to break the news. (diamonds, wine, flowers, begging for eternal forgiveness etc.) I think he is still alive so have no fear, just go forward where many men have gone before!

I found a '06 B4S hardly sailed last Nov. near KC. I had the same out of mind reaction. I drove down to see the boat and new it was a done deal. Trailer stored in a barn, mint condition, 49hrs on the Etec, B4S package, exactly how I would have purchased a new one. I went back the next week to pick it up. I hooked it up to my Yukon stood next to the bow and thought what have I just got myself into. The bow is over my head standing next to the boat. And I,m going to pull this 400mi to Moline. Put in my warehouse for 6mos. and kept thinking sooner or later I have to float this thing. Last time I sailed a boat was 30yrs ago.

I rember Heath's comment about how most people that buy Macs spend seveal years researching the purchase. I thought that wouldn't take me that long. Sure enough three years later I'm a Mac owner.

Read everything you can, follow the experience and advice on this board. It's a great place, they have definitely taught me how to sail, motor, and dock the boat. I have been around power boats since I was a kid so motoring and docking was a natural for me event with current and wind. Sailing was a new day and can say I have managed to heel it to 35 d which is more than I certainly intended. Now that I have 5 months at the helm I have learned to trim the sails, keep it flat and have hit hull speeds of 7knts. Find some one that can take you sailing if have no experience it will shorten the learning curve and keep you safe. I'm no expert by any means but if you have questions PM me. The B4S set up is great.

If you get to Moline I take you out. Have a great time!

Dave
User avatar
Divecoz
Admiral
Posts: 3803
Joined: Sat Oct 16, 2004 2:54 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: PORT CHARLOTTE FLORIDA 05 M Mercury 50 H.P. Big Foot Bill at Boats 4 Sail is my Hero

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by Divecoz »

Many times my friend, many times.
But this feeling of concern mixed with jubilation shall soon pass and be replaced with hundreds of wonderful moments days and weeks, spent with your family aboard your boat.
You will have so many wonderful experiences, all to be shared with each other. How rare is that? All those dreams right now, lay upon your horizon . You now have that rare Opportunity to work hand in hand with your son Zack, and your daughter( sorry I forget her name) to build memories that will indeed last a life time and may well be carried on....... for generations to come. A chance to build a closeness , a one on one bonding, that in this day and age seems all but impossible to achieve. You and your wife as well, have made a decision to share a love for the sea that will be remembered by all of you, and shared among you, countless times forever.
Fair Winds Sunny Days
YT Richard /Divecoz
User avatar
adrenaud
Chief Steward
Posts: 54
Joined: Mon Jul 28, 2008 12:21 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Saint Anicet, Québec, Canada

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by adrenaud »

Congrats on the new purchase!
We purchased our 2009 M26 in June and received it in late august. My wife and I made the decision together. But if your wife loves the water she will be happy, it's a great way to spend time together. We used it last fall till we had to put away for winter, we live north of Montreal, Canada (it was a sad day).

I have been trailering it for the most part but this August we decided to leave it in a marina for a month (1 hr away). So far we have spent 1 week on it twice, and this summer we travelled the Saint-Lawrence river for 2 weeks. Looking forward to another week in august and in september. (I somehow find a reason to go to the marina everyday)

You will see that after a short while you will be looking at doing a few mods to suit your style and storage. The first hole is the toughest. (1 put 2 holes through the hull...what an idiot I am).

Have fun, enjoy it.
Andre
Just Relaxing
rfrye94760
Chief Steward
Posts: 95
Joined: Sun Jul 19, 2009 5:22 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Roselle, IL "s/v Mitaza" 2010 26M, MACM 2536 H910, Evinrude ETEC 60HP slipped Racine, WI

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by rfrye94760 »

Thanks all for the encouragement and inspiring words. I'm sure I'll be calling upon the greater knowledge and experience of many of you. My sailing experience is limited. I took a weekend certification course out of Montrose Harbor in Chicago 5 or 6 years ago on a J22 but haven't sailed anything larger than a Sunfish since. I should also add that my lovely wife is agreeable to the "concept" of owning a nice boat and has seen Divecoz's beautiful M, I think she thought this was a little further down the road. Like many, this isn't the first time nor I'm sure the last, that I may need to smooth a few ruffled feathers. Oh well when I get my boat I can always go sleep on it.
SkiDeep2001
Captain
Posts: 582
Joined: Wed Feb 11, 2009 1:27 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Redmond,WA USA 98X Nissan50 CATMAN DOUX

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by SkiDeep2001 »

rfrye94760 wrote: I have a few weeks before I need to tell my wife :? .
Welcome aboard rfrye94760, just make sure you don't put the Admiral below decks in the galley to fix a meal the first few times out. :wink: If you don't cook, learn. Maybe if you fix her a nice meal while she sits in the cockpit enjoying the view and the feeling of skipping a boat (temporarily) you will win her over with ease. :P :wink: 8) Rob
User avatar
pokerrick1
Admiral
Posts: 2269
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:20 pm
Sailboat: Venture 23
Location: Las Vegas, NV (Henderson, near Lake Mead)

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by pokerrick1 »

Congratulations :!: :!:

I looked at Macs for 15 years before I pulled the trigger in Dec 2005 on a 2006 M. Finally THAT boat and it's changes put me over the top (well, maybe Mike & Jeff Inmon helped).

Did you get the foresail furler we talked about?

Rick :( :macm: less in Las Vegas
User avatar
irayone
First Officer
Posts: 204
Joined: Wed Feb 04, 2009 3:17 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Morro Bay
Contact:

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by irayone »

Don't tell the wife ....Get the boat ready to sail.....make sure it's perfect weather.....Champagne...name the boat after her.....After an hour on the water tell her it's hers. Easy..............................Or perhaps an annaversary gift?
Hardcrab
Captain
Posts: 868
Joined: Tue Sep 19, 2006 8:25 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: "Cease-fire", White 05 M, 90hp, Boggy Bayou, Niceville, FL

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by Hardcrab »

I think the old adage, "You can't get a woman to lie down in a boat she can't stand up in" might apply?
User avatar
pokerrick1
Admiral
Posts: 2269
Joined: Sun Aug 27, 2006 7:20 pm
Sailboat: Venture 23
Location: Las Vegas, NV (Henderson, near Lake Mead)

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by pokerrick1 »

Is that like the old adage "I never met a prone woman I didn't like"??? :wink: :D

Rick :( :macm: less in Las Vegas
Zman
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jun 24, 2009 7:58 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Texas

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by Zman »

I bought our 2007 26 M from Bill at Boats 4 Sail and have been very pleased ever since. I drove form Texas and the wife and kids had never seen the boat untill the round trip was completed (they did know about it) due to school etc. they were not able to make the trip. They were pleased once I arrived home with it. It took approx. 10 years of reading all the great info on this sight in order to "Pull the Trigger". Enjoy your new boat and tell Bill hello form Texas.
User avatar
tangentair
Admiral
Posts: 1234
Joined: Mon Jan 22, 2007 11:59 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Highland Park, IL ...07M...Merc 50 BF...Mila K

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by tangentair »

Congratulations - you should experience quite a range of feelings - from sheer joy as she sits there quietly in the water awaiting your hand at the helm to wide-eyed "thrill" when she lays over to about 30 degrees and you wonder if she is going any further, but you will always appreciate the decision to buy from Bill and the sage advice and support, should you need it, that he provides. Knowing you can turn to a good dealer for help if you need to is a major plus and Bill is one of the good ones. And as you begin to personalize things keep us posted on your progress.
User avatar
jaguar496
Engineer
Posts: 191
Joined: Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:39 am
Location: MESIC, NC, '08 26M 40hp suzuki "THE RESTLESS TWO" MACM2023L708

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by jaguar496 »

Hi rfrye94760: Welcome to the greatest MAC lovers' organization 8) Admiral Alice and I read all the mods that have been accomplished by this erudite group, and our '08 :macm: , THE RESTLESS TWO", was outfitted using their most common desires. i.e., redundant batteries, 120v, plenty of 12v outlets, plenty of water, gps with sounder, parrotthead's suggested bimini from overton's, etc, etc. Tell your wife that she has been made an Admiral, let her take over the helm at hull speed, and above all, don't raise your voice, and don't swear :) My greatest pleasure with our :macm: , is when my Admiral lets me know that she misses going out on the Pamlico Sound for a sail, and many times, the clinometer is 20+ 8) 8) Let us know how the Admiral falls in love with your new :macm: . Alice and Stew of "THE RESTLESS TWO"
dxg68
Chief Steward
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Oct 16, 2008 4:44 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Cleveland, Ohio, 2009 M, 60HP E-Tech

Re: Pulled the trigger

Post by dxg68 »

I bought my 09 :macm: from Bill in April. Everything went well and his deck package is great! But Evinrude refused to register my 60HP E-Tec and denied warranty because neither Bill nor Macgregor is authorized Evinrude dealer. I had to take my boat to local dealer and paid for pre-delivery inspection and all the paperwork necessary to register the motor and get the warranty. And I am glad I did. The motor was installed incorrectly (not Bill’s fault – he doesn’t install the motors). When I first turn it on it would enter winterization mode and stayed in it. Later Evinrude issued safety recall for fuel vapor separators. And mine was actually leaking gas. So I was able to replace it under warranty. The best part of buying the boat from Bill is that he spent 12 hours of his time rigging the boat with me (he did 90% of work) at no extra cost. By the time we were done I was so familiar with the boat like I had it for a few years. It was absolutely great of Bill!!!
Post Reply