26M to cross Indian Ocean without assistance

[magnetic]

After several months languishing in Dubai I have decided to ship Morwenna to Hong Kong in a 40ft container. This forum has been extremely helpful as a source of info (although Philip's photos have been taken down) but Laura at MacGregor export has been typically unhelpful and dismissive:

the MacGregor website refers to container transport as a competitive advantage - http://www.macgregor26.com/compare_with ... r_edge.htm

but when I requested guidance on transportation I was brushed off with "We only ship new boats, and cannot help with the packing or shipment of second hand", which is pretty miserable.

As it is, there is a wealth of info out there and the agents in both Dubai and Hong Kong have been extremely helpful; the boat is now down at the Maersk terminal at Jebel Ali awaiting a ship and should arrive in HK in about 10 days, where the local importer (of NEW boats) has been enthusiastically supportive and welcoming me to the local Mac community - (Cathy at C Jeneh Yachts).

I will post further details when the boat arrives together with some detailed guidance on what needs to be removed and how the boat is loaded into the container.

Why is the factory always so unhelpful? I have previously asked for guidance on whether the old-style wood-effect window surrounds were still available and also been snubbed with a similarly curt response from Laura, who appears to have absolutely no interest in maintaining brand loyalty

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Hope all works out well in this endeavor.

I sold my prev. Mac 26S thru a local dealer contact which helped only with the sale for purchasers from the country of Chili. The new owners flew to the USA locally to "pack up" the boat and hardware for shipping the container. These new owners handled the matter likewise, without assistance.

It worked out okay. The Mac arrived in Chili with no problems, no damage, and entact. This was quite complicated for these new owners, since the family actually flew to my area from Chili to handle the packing up of this boat.

Good luck ...

[Hamin' X]

After several months languishing in Dubai I have decided to ship Morwenna to Hong Kong in a 40ft container. This forum has been extremely helpful as a source of info (although Philip's photos have been taken down) but Laura at MacGregor export has been typically unhelpful and dismissive:

Just to clarify for everyone: Posted photos are not stored on the Macgregor Sailor's website and if they no longer appear in a post, it is because the photos have been moved, or taken down from the website that they are really on and the link has been broken. This is why it is so important that members place their mods in the Mac Mods section and write-ups of their adventures in the Features section. Photos located in these sections are archived locally and if you need more than the three allowed pics for a mod, just ask and they will be allowed.

~Rich

[Catigale]

who appears to have absolutely no interest in maintaining brand loyalty

The cold hard reality is that Mac is an entry level boat, and there is no value to the business of brand loyalty. While I dont think rudeness or a brush off is ever appropriate, please view this from their perspective a bit.

[Phillip]

The Phillip in question here.
I too had to work it out for myself, and it took a lot of doing back then.
I think if Laura was to give out info, she could well spend most of her time answering 'these sort of questions'. They would be endless. So I an can see her situation.
You should have sent me a PM and I would have helped. You obviously have it sorted tho.
I am going to try a new system of shipping with the next one. I may have something that is more simple, easier all round, for much the same dollars.
Cheers
Phillip.

[defrich]

I bought a new 26M last September.
I found the support ( even on a new one ) so bad, that I gave up on it. It was easier for me to fix the problems than have the factory explain how to or send the proper equipment.
I won't deal with them. I also recommend to people to buy aa used MacGregor vice a new one.
Sorry for your troubles. But the brush off is apparently an acceptable MacGregor factory trait.

Blue Skies , enjoy ..Richard

[Russ]

Sorry for your troubles. But the brush off is apparently an acceptable MacGregor factory trait.

Not acceptable for most of us trying to preserve hard earned good will with our existing client base and gain new customers. But for a factory that sells every boat they can build, I guess it's okay.

Yea yea yea, the Mac is an entry level, inexpensive boat, but in my view there is no excuse for rudeness and poor support.

This is an ongoing complaint about the factory. They just don't care once they've shipped a boat out the door. The factory web site is laughable and makes selling your boat difficult when prospective buyers google it. If it weren't for THIS forum and others like it, I don't know what Mac owners would do to find answers.

Fact is, the Mac is a fine boat with some really good dealers out there. Pity the factory is so non supportive.



--Russ

[waternwaves]

I have bought about half new and half used boats in my life.

In almost 40 years of boating, I have not met a handful of boat brokers that I like.
The Seattle area is extremely lucky to have BWY.

I have dealt with the LM in the past on purchasing a used 65, her and her husbands email responses were timely and helpful, but limited in scope. I think for most people, in most situations, takes the flow of money to really get support. You dont see too many Bills, Todds, Cheryls, Arts, and Mikes continuously contributing here to help lots of owners.

In that respect, the mac is somewhat unique. The Luhrs family( and rarely ever a dealer )doesn't ever seem to go to the Hunter Owners site.

[jschrade]

Ah man, I was all excited and looking for a story about someone sailing across the Indian Ocean in a Mac!



Jim

[Catigale]

Im still curious how the boat is going to do it without assistance - most of my boats need a skipper at least...

[Boblee]

Must say I copped the same attitude from the factory when first making enquiries and only for the other Phillip at Synergy Yachts who was the sole dealer at the time I would have either walked away or imported direct and the after sales help was even better.

[Rick Westlake]

Im still curious how the boat is going to do it without assistance - most of my boats need a skipper at least...

They're cheating big-time, Cat. Putting the Mac in a box and shipping it there. Hopefully the "Evergreen Behemoth," or whatever the container vessel, will have a proper captain and crew; I'd just hope the container is locked down tight.

I can see the day when I might want Bossa Nova shipped to a new home overseas. Sailing her on her own hull to Montevideo sounds like too much adventure for a wee little Mac - maybe a Crealock would be better? - but she'd do for day-sails around the Rio Plata and maybe even over to Buenos Aires. If someone who has re-packed a Mac and shipped her as container freight would care to write up a How-To for the features, I'm sure there are others who would come to appreciate it!

[Phillip]

I make this comment with no intention of inflaming the situation.

I can not understand why some Mac owners have it in their heads the Mac Factory has to deal with them directly.

I have a Ford Truck made in Thailand, and when a question arises, I don't pick up the phone and expect to speak to someone in the Thai Factory to advise me how they ship them overseas.
I look around the house at all the items here, and never would I ever approach the manufacturer of them.
If you have an issue, then you go to the appropriate dealership or retailer. They deal with your problem.

Cheers
Phillip

[bubba]

The factory is loyal to dealers who buy lots of boats from them and the dealers are loyal to customers who spend money with them, like buying a boat or boat stuff. Dealers are there for customer support.

[ksatterlee]

Very true. You wouldn't call the Ford or Honda factory for parts or service on your car.....you go the dealer who then deals with a factory rep as required.

The factory is loyal to dealers who buy lots of boats from them and the dealers are loyal to customers who spend money with them, like buying a boat or boat stuff. Dealers are there for customer support.