Chicago /NW Indiana Area Mac Owners

[GregR]

I have been "studying" MacGregor boats for a year now as I plan to take up sailing. I was absolutely convinced a 2005 or newer Mac 26M (with blue hull) was the boat for me. I wanted something I could get into relatively inexpensively, a boat I could maintain myself, that would carry a larger motor and a boat I could trailer to far and various places. I enjoy "primitive" camping, so the 26M seemed like a taj mahal.

My plan was to get some sailing lessons, and bareboat charter certified so I could do some sailing while figuring out how to buy a boat and put my 2 sons through college at the same time (OK...I need to concinvce the Admiral). I drove 4 hours to "see" a Mac firsthand at a dealer. I have to admit, it seemed a little smaller than I thought it would be...small cockpit, small cabin...but I still liked the concept.

Well, I took a 3-day bareboat charter certification class 2 weeks ago, on a 34 Catalina. Spent a night on the boat, and chartered it a week after my certification class....and now I am having second thoughts about whether the Mac is still the way to go.

I realize that comparing the Mac to the 34' Catalina is not a fair comparison, but I am concerned about the general sailing characteristics and stability of the 26M. I can can deal with the small cabin and cockpit, and certainly appreciate the lower cost of ownership for the Mac, as long as it sails satisfactorily.

So, I am searching for a Mac owner in the Chicago area or Northwest Indiana who would be gracious enough to take me for a sail. I have seen several Macs in the Chicago marinas and there were a couple in Michigan City, IN where I took my sailing certification. I really need to see how the 26M (or X) sails and hope someone will invite me a sail on Lake Michigan to see for myself.

So, if any of you Chicago/NW Indiana Mac owners can spare a seat in the cockpit beore the ice comes in on Lake Michigan, I would appreciate a sail. Email or PM is fine.

Thanks,

Greg

[jschrade]

I often find myself dreaming of a "bigger" sailboat but quickly realize that with that comes some compromises.

Limited sailing range - it can get a little old sailing the same place over and over. With a larger boat that must be stored in a marina, you are limited to what's local. With a trailerable boat, you can sail at 60mph down the highway.

Cost/Convenience = it's much more expensive to store the boat at your house rather than a marina. But it's much more convenient to keep your boat in a marina. Lug a cooler and some snacks and cast off! A 34 foot sailboat is going to be significantly to obscenely more than a Macgregor 26X/M with significantly likely being something from the 80's.

Speed - I honestly have no complaints about the sailing speed of my 26M. I have caught other sailboats (or made them tack away) and have been caught (maybe I tacked away!) by some. When I drop the engine, there are no other sailboats in my class and I get some really funny looks going down the ICW.

The only comments I can make on stability would be that a 16,000+ pound boat is simply not going to react your walking around on it the same way as a 3500 pound boat will. Your weight will have a bigger impact on a Macgregor 26X/M. But balance is an issue on all sailboats specifically when beating into a decent wind.

Jim

[tchariya]

I'm in the same 'boat' as OR GregR. I have take US Sailing certification course and certified in Basic Keelboat/Intermediate sailing. I got the chance to sail J22/J24 and Hunter326. I still have not been able to work a MacGregor 26 yet and am looking for someone in the Chicago vicinity that might like to help me experience a day sail on one.

I'm a bigger guy, so my weight does do a lot when moving around in smaller boats, especially the J22s. In the hunter326, my weight didnt shift the boat much, but the hunter is a bigger wider boat.

i do love the perks of having a trailer boat. Being able to take ti to different parts of the country to sail on a minutes notice, being able to motor to a sailing spot or more wind without much complaint, being able to single handedly launch and rig the boat for sail. THAT alone makes it worth it. How many times have you tried to setup a day sail with friends and they are late....don't know terminolgy...don't understand rigging...or sailing.>

The price points for a medium aged Macgregor makes it affordable...well as long as you can also afford a tow vehicle.

[GregR]

Thanks to the generousity of Wally up in South Haven, MI, I got a very good "tutorial" on rigging and launching a Mac 26X. I sure appreciate the hospitality....and the opportunity to sail with you Wally.

Now, if I could find someone with a newer Mac 26M in the Chicagoland/NW Indiana area, I would really like to see how the M varies from the X in terms of sailing characteristics.

I see a couple of blue-hulled M's (one moored in Jackson harbor with a pirate flag) and one up in Belmont harbar I think....

If anyone would be willing to take me for a sail, I sure would appreciate the help and education on the M.

If you prefer, email or PM me.

Thanks,

Greg