Buying a used Mac

[boeingbenn]

I'm contemplating buying a Mac 26X or 26M. What kind of things should one pay attention to in checking out the boat before buying (yeah, I know waht some of you will say..."make sure it's not a MacGregor" .

[March]

Not many people will tell you "make sure this ain't a Mac"... at least not on this site.

There's a wide latitude in buying a used Mac. I guess money is a factor. You can pay more for a newer model M, or for additional options and goodies. Or if you're a handyman, you might opt for a cheaper, older X, update it, clean it up and add the goodies yourself... or replace those already in place. You might want certain options, and couldn't care less for others--in terms of paying for them. Some people want the latest electronics. Others want good sails. Others want an aluminum trailer because they're going to move a lot. Others want a spanking clean boat that looks good.

What is your budget? What are your plans for the Mac? Are you going to trailer a lot? Are you planning on camping out on water for an extended period of time? Do you think you will need speed? Or camping-confort? Or doing some water sports?

[bjmeunier]

Love my X, so versatile, anyway, before I go off on a tangent...due diligence. Also, you'll find many of the Macs belong to sailing groups and most of the people in the groups know the history of the boat. Where are you from? I'd start by contacting your local Mac or trailer sailor group and talking with them and even getting a great list of likes and dislikes from both M and X owners. I'm pretty sure you'll even be able to "twist" an arm or two and go for a sail. I was taken for one and that was the end for me...lol. I went with an X because of the "slightly higher" head, and being over 6', it made sense for me...Good Luck, there are nice boats out there...

[traderdave]

I like the x layout better with the head close to the cockpit - bigger cockpit and galley fixed in position. If you buy an x that has some good mods and equipment you will most likely get more for your money. The other thing is you can buy an x and resell it for pretty much what you paid in the future. These boats keep their resale value. I would look at a 2000 or 2001. I sold a 1998x and I havemy eye on a 2001 that is in better condition and cleaner than the 1998 I sold. In Canada the prices range between 16k and 22k for a used x.

[Russ]

Nobody here is going to say "Don't buy a Mac."

As mentioned, X vs. M. Early M vs. newer M. There are some design differences, head, galley locations, etc. and it's a matter of personal preference.

As mentioned above, you need to ask yourself how are you going to use it.

Trailer to lots of places - The trailer should be in good condition, maybe some upgrades to it.
Day sailing - upgrades like water systems, head etc, may not be as important.
Lots of sailing - upgrades to sailing equipment like roller furling, genoa, boom vang might be a plus.
Motoring - It is a POWER sailor, a beefy motor vs. a wimpy one might be an advantage if you want to go fast and pull some kids on toys.
Overnighting - Add ons such as water systems, extra fuel tanks, anchor hardware would be nice to have.

The Mac is not a complicated boat and a visual inspection will tell you much, but since it is a POWER sailor, I'd pay attention to the motor as it's a sizable part of the cost of the boat. Take it on the water for a test ride at various speeds. If possible, have a mechanic look at the motor and perform tests. See if you can get maintenance records. Check throttle controls for stiffness and the same for steering.

--Russ

[Hamin' X]

Whether you decide on a 26M, or 26X, I advise that you get the newest of each model that you can afford. MacGregor makes ongoing changes on the fly. Differences in hardware, layout, construction and materials. On the 26X, these were pretty much final by the 2000 model year. On the 26M, there was a major layout change about 2005 (Sliding galley vs fixed and the location of the galley). Somewhere along the line, the M lost it's wood window trim and got a redesigned liner around the windows.

Climb into each of the models and sit, walk around and think about which is best for your style. As Russ said, the motor is a big part of the investment. Lots of things to consider here. 2 stroke vs 4 stroke. depending upon your sailing area, older 2S engines may not be allowed. Carbureted vs fuel injection. What brand has service available in your area? All are things to consider.

Most of all, don't get in a rush. The search for my perfect MacGregor took four years and I don't consider the time wasted. Welcome to our world.

~Rich

[Love MACs]

Take your time and enjoy the search. Check out as many different models/years as you can. Visit dealers and individual sellers, or owners if possible. If not, you can get a decent idea of each model by simply searching the threads here and looking at the different boats (it would not be quite the same as seeing them up close and personal but better than nothing). Many different angles to consider as mentioned by Rich above. It took me five years to get into a position to buy a Mac and then two more years of searching for exactly the one I wanted (at the right price). Thankfully I finally found it, and when I bought it, bam another one came on the market almost just like the one I bought.

Newer is not always better as you can buy a bare bones M for a good price but then then end up putting thousands more into mods. Or you can buy a used X, or M, fixed up to your needs and wants. Either way it will be a fun journey.

Allan