Boat show in Annapolis, new DVD

[mikelinmon]

Come one and all, get your new DVD, all new music, new scenes, this should cover us for the next 10 years. Available only to the first 100 visitors to the 26M on display in the waters of Annapolis. If any of you know me and are comming to the show, let me know, like to see some visitors from dark and distant past. New photos in the brochure, just a slight update such as aluminum trailer and latest window trim. I'll be there with Otho Campbell and Roger Macgregor
Mike Inmon

[Russ]

A few points.

I don't see MacGregor listed at the Annapolis sailboat show? I assume you mean the show this week. I wonder why they don't have it listed or I'm just not looking in the right place.

Since you have Roger's ear, how about hinting he update the factory website. I understand the Mac business model is that low prices sells more boats. It works and I bought a new one last year. I love the boat and it has a fantastic niche.
However, I did so despite the lousy factory web site. When you visit most boat manufacturers' web sites you are awed by both great photos, but also a professional web design. The web site reflects strongly on the overall quality of the Mac. If people perceive a poor quality web site, they will question the boat's quality as well. I've got the brochure from last year and it's fairly well done, however the web site does not match it in style.
I've got people I know that I could put him in touch with that could revamp the site. I bet the folks here could submit a ton of great M photos that could be incorporated.

The DVD at the show is a great idea. People love to get "stuff" at boat shows and a serious buyer will enjoy the DVD. But please update the web site with the NEW DVD contents. It's a great way for people to get to know the boat who don't go to the show or request the DVD.

How about some interior color choices? I paid extra for the blue hull because of vanity. The common criticism of the interior is valid. It's beige and boring. Again, I know it costs more to produce choices, but I'd be willing to bet you could charge more for color options. I assume they are outsourced anyway, so how much more would it cost to have some colors?

It seems almost universal that people hate the sliding galley appearance. It's molded glass and again, beige. One of the most common mods from factory original seems to be the galley. What would it cost to put a hunk of formica wood and a metal sink in this thing? I bet less than $100 bucks which is what I'm probably going to do. Yet for that $100 dollars you get a more professional looking interior that makes the boat look $1,000 more expensive. I truly miss all the teak in my old Hunter, but I also know that comes at a strong price. A little faux wood and a bar sink would be hugely better looking than a beige fiberglass sink with a ridiculous tiny drain hole.

Mike, I appreciate your presence on this forum. Does Roger know the marketing value of this place? How many people besides me bought their Macs sight unseen based on the valuable information on this site? How many people here have countered the trash spouted at SA? Does Roger ever check out this forum to see what people like/dislike about their boats so he can improve his product? I sure would.

The Mac is still the best value, an extremely safe boat and nothing comes close to it in it's overall trailer/sailor class.

Anyway, I wish I could go to Annapolis. I hope it's a successful show.

--Russ

[c130king]

Does Roger know the marketing value of this place? How many people besides me bought their Macs sight unseen based on the valuable information on this site?

I am one that decided a Mac was right for me based on this website...and bought a Mac pretty much sight unseen...at least I bought the first one I looked at.

And of course I did read every word and look at every picture on the Macgregor website...but I agree that it could be jazzed up and made much nicer.

Wishes for continued success to Roger and the Macgregor team.

Cheers,
Jim

[Paulieb]

I concur on the website – there is some good information there, but it looks like and elementary school kid put it together in their spare time. Not saying to spend thousands on a web designer, even a decent template with some occasionally updated content would be a very welcome change.

I’ve gone as far as entering feedback on the Macgregor site, but never got any response.

If you look at the Way Back Machine on the Internet you will see Macgregor websites all the way back to 1998 and the format and design have not changed much at all in those 11 years.

Here is the link, you will see what I mean: http://web.archive.org/web/*/http://www.macgregor26.com

Would love to see some of that new DVD content posted online as well.

Love the boat , hate the factory site .

Paulieb

[AxelH]

I too decide to buy a Mac Gregor based on what I read on this home page. The only good thing about the factory is, that they send you all catalogues and CD right away. If you have a question and use the e-mail on their page you never get an answer. To me that is a:

Mercedes attitude.

I do not have a Mac Gregor jet but I will have one, hopefuilly, soon. But before I call the manufacturer I will post my questions in this forum cause I know I will get the right answers in no time.

Hope Mac Gregor will do some improvements on their hp soon.

[dutchwinter]

I agree about the site, and the boat as well. for me though, when I consider what the Mac is , i come to think its a great "barebones" boat, and a good platform for modding. other boats will undoubtedly sell after 30 years without a single mod, (provided decent factory options) to include the original upholstery. I challenge anyone to sail their new for a season without getting the urge to tinker. the humdrum site seems part of Macgregors charm. of by he way, I also bought in no small part due to the info on this forum.

[NiceAft]

This site convinced me that a Mac was what I wanted, or at least is what I want to investigate more about. In 2003 we went to a dealer in north Jersey to go out on one for a ride. We decided that we liked the boat, but N. Jersey was too far. The admiral and I decided that a Mac was for us, but then she was diagnosed with breast cancer, so the boat was put off for a bit. In 2004 we picked up the chase, went to the Annapolis boat show, and purchased a2005 M from Otho. This December marks the 5th birthday for the boat, and the Admirals 6th anniversary of being a breast cancer survivor.

Ray

[Québec 1]

Took my 2003 26M out today with my 1994 Buick Lesabre . It took me 15 minutes. Took me 30 minutes to lower the mast and tie everything down( I just tie all the mast stuff together with the jib furler lines and a few bungees...gets easier every time. Took me 20 minutes to bring it to the garage and 4 hours to polish the nice blue hull to near show room condition. What a gas parking my Yacht in the drive way. I want another one for the southern seas.

Q1

[Phil M]

Took my 2003 26M out today with my 1994 Buick Lesabre . It took me 15 minutes.
Q1

15 minutes to what? To get your Buick started?

Just kidding, of course.

Phil M

[Québec 1]

Took my 2003 26M out today with my 1994 Buick Lesabre . It took me 15 minutes.
Q1

15 minutes to what? To get your Buick started?

Just kidding, of course.

Phil M

Ha Ha, 15 minutes to back the trailer into the water, go get the boat at the other slip, motor up and on to the trailer and haul the boat to the parking lot to demast. Love my Buick..planning on hauling my M to Florida with the Buick sometime this winter.
Q1

[Rick Westlake]

Took my 2003 26M out today with my 1994 Buick Lesabre ... What a gas parking my Yacht in the drive way. I want another one for the southern seas.

Q1

I went the other way; my boat is older than my tow vehicle ...

(1999 Mac X, 2004 Toyota 4Runner. Since this shot, new 2009 SeaLion trailer.)
so this guy parks his yacht at the Golden Corral....

[Hamin' X]

Link to the Annapolis Boat Show. It is this coming weekend, Oct. 8-12.

~Rich

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

I just wish I could be there...maybe someday. Meeting a major dealer, and getting that new DVD would "make my day"
We're dealerless in my area now...

[Phil M]

Love my Buick..planning on hauling my M to Florida with the Buick sometime this winter.
Q1

A trip of that distance is in the range of 2900 km (1800m). Any special trip preparations like tandem axles, or a couple of spare tires, etc.?


Phil M

[kmclemore]

I hauled my X from New Mexico to Pennsylvania on the original, unmodified, old Mac trailer. No problem. Take reasonable precautions, as have been intimately detailed here in past threads.