Desireable Options for new 26M

[lancelot9898]

I'm thinking of buying a 2012 26M and would like comments and suggestions. Here are some of my observations.

1. A dual axle trailer might be better for towing. Are surge brakes a problem when backing up a grade? Is a transom savor desireable when towing with the motor in the tilt up position? Can these things be done when the boat is ordered rather than retrofitting?

2. In 5 knots of wind how much of a performance hit do you take by sailing with the jib vs the 150% genoa? With the number of boats out there seems like there should be polar diagrams available?? What is the dacron weight and quality of the original sails?

3. Is the roller furling option on the headsail a good quality? Is the standing rigging a sufficient size?

4. Is there an option for leading all main sail controls including main halyard, reefing lines (dual line...one of tack and the other for clew outhaul or maybe a single reef line would do for both the tack and clew), boom vang line and topping lift all to the cockpit rather than self installing? Not sure if the deck is balsa cored and all these additions could present problems if not installed properly.

5. Want just one reef in the main, however want that reef to be deeper than normal.

6. Is there another built in stove option rather than alcohol?

7. Are the two 12 gallon gas tanks located on the same side?

8. The bimini seems to be pretty low. Has anyone raised that bimini to get 6ft. standing headroom? Moved the gooseneck up on mast to get the boom to clear? Recut the mailsail? Rather than retrofitting it would be good to have these things done properly from the get go.

[jschrade]

My first thought in reading this is that you sound like you already are looking for a bigger boat.

Jim

[lancelot9898]

Actually, I'm selling a bigger boat that i've had for over 20 years so maybe my concerns are slanted somewhat.

[RobertB]

1. Dual axle good, surge brakes have a lockout solenoid activated by reverse light signal - or can mechanically lock with small key.
2. I have a genoa and recommend a wisker pole. Will not worry about about upgrading sails untill I need to. Stock ones seem to work fine and if they are not good, I do not want to know about it untill they wear out.
3. Roller furler available (I passed on this). Rigging as built has worked on a lot of boats so far. Do recommend the roller furler for the foresail.
4. Most dealers will install the main halyard aft. I am not aware of any balsa core on boat. Most deck hardware requires a hole in the inner liner to install backing washer and nut. Look at the plastic plugs in the ceiling.
5. Stock sail is stock. If you want something different, you can buy aftermarket whatever you want. Why not add a reffing point if you need a deeper reef (try it first)?
6. Many of us use camp stoves for more BTUs and less cost. Alcohol stoves are offered because alcohol is not a very volatile (and pressurized) fuel and therefor safer. I use a single burner stove available from most any asian market (or in marine catalogs for twice as much under the Kenyon brand).
7. One tank each side. On a new you can fit the 6 gallon one in front of the pedestal if needed (I have a wood cover to cover the footwell in front of the pedestal)
8. The higher the bimini, the less it will protect from sun and rain. Tubing is easy to extend - just buy additional tubing the size you need and 4 to 6 inches each splice of the next size down and rivet together.

Suggest you try:

[Hardcrab]

Welcome aboard
1. Dual axle easy to install if you care to. Surge brake lockout occurs whenever tow vehicle back-up lights come on, or a mechanical bit gets installed to limit surge brake compression. Transom saver will not work ( as I see it) because the mac trailer does not have trailer length all the way to the stern. It just won't reach the crossmember.
2. The genny is the sail of choice up to about 13 knots before reefing it. Expect falling off to around 55*. Not a great pointer with it. Jib is much better for pointing, just not as fast in small winds.
3. Sure it is. Just don't sail to Hawaii.
4. Many folks have done it. No balsa core anywhere in the decking.
5. One deep reef is how the stock main is set up from the factory. A marginal, beginner sail at a low price point, but it's great for those who just start out. Learn your Mac with it, then once you have wrung out all you will get from it, move up.
6. Get your Mac with no stove option then install whatever you want.
7. No, both sides. Many go with 4 six gallon tanks for a truly portable solution.
8. Many have raised the bimini to get clearance without messing with the boom.

9.Consider the white hull choice. The blue boats are beautiful and stunning, when they are waxed. When they are waxed. When they are waxed. Two or three years down the road, when they are waxed. Notice a trend here?
Perhaps let your head over-ride your heart on this one.
Your arms will thank you.

I'm sure your dealer will be more than happy to do all of this work for you.
Just bring money.

Accept and enjoy the Mac for what it is, a jack of all trades and master of none.
You just might find, like many others here, it is the perfect boat for weekending with the family anywhere you care to go.

[Russ]

1. A dual axle trailer might be better for towing. Are surge brakes a problem when backing up a grade? Is a transom savor desireable when towing with the motor in the tilt up position? Can these things be done when the boat is ordered rather than retrofitting?

If you plan on towing great distances often, the dual axle is nice. It can be done later by any trailer shop. Surge brakes are highly recommended (and mandatory in some states) and lock out with the 5th wire when in reverse. I don't know what a "transom savor" is but you probably don't need it.

2. In 5 knots of wind how much of a performance hit do you take by sailing with the jib vs the 150% genoa? With the number of boats out there seems like there should be polar diagrams available?? What is the dacron weight and quality of the original sails?

I found this boat won't really sail in 5 knots of wind unless downwind of course. It's not a J boat and sails best in heavier wind. If you plan on sailing on light winds, get the genny.

3. Is the roller furling option on the headsail a good quality? Is the standing rigging a sufficient size?

My stock roller furler seems adequate. Standing rigging is adequate. If I were looking to change something, I'd make the headstay larger gauge.

4. Is there an option for leading all main sail controls including main halyard, reefing lines (dual line...one of tack and the other for clew outhaul or maybe a single reef line would do for both the tack and clew), boom vang line and topping lift all to the cockpit rather than self installing? Not sure if the deck is balsa cored and all these additions could present problems if not installed properly.

I bought my boat from BWY and they offer a "cruising package" that was excellent. It included all lines led aft except the reefing lings. Quite frankly, reefing underway is not a good idea. I'm a believer in reefing before you head out and shake it out if not needed.

5. Want just one reef in the main, however want that reef to be deeper than normal.

My dealer added an extra set of reef points. I only use those.

6. Is there another built in stove option rather than alcohol?

As mentioned above, my boat package came with a butane stove option. It works very well. However, all gas stoves require additional caution.

7. Are the two 12 gallon gas tanks located on the same side?

I have a 12 gal tank on each side. In retrospect, that's a lot of fuel. It depends on how much range you want between refueling. These boats have big thirsty motors so don't gauge fuel requirements based on a 10hp kicker motor. My Hunter diesel sipped fuel compared to my Suzi 70.

8. The bimini seems to be pretty low. Has anyone raised that bimini to get 6ft. standing headroom? Moved the gooseneck up on mast to get the boom to clear? Recut the mailsail? Rather than retrofitting it would be good to have these things done properly from the get go.

As mentioned above, lifting the bimini isn't difficult. However, the M has a nice helm seat that is much nicer to pilot from rather than stand. I never stand under the bimini. When coming back into the dock, I take it down for better access and visibility.

[lancelot9898]

Thanks for all the input. Just wish there was a dealer closer to my location in the mountains of NC. The closest dealer is on the coast some 5 hour drive away.

[mastreb]

You've gotten a lot of good advice, I'll just add mine because it's a bit different than some others. My general advice is that for any factory option you don't love, don't get it--do your own mod the way you want. I "over-optioned" with a few things we just don't use and wasted about $2000 that could have gone into other mods I'm now doing. Even if you think you're not the kind of guy who is going to work on your own boat, I promise you'll catch the fever and start working on this easily modified boat.

1. I tow about twenty miles typically and see no need for a second axle. Other people have different opinions but the trailer works perfectly well stock for me. Perhaps as it ages my opinion will change, but for now it works well. If you aren't towing over 30 miles I wouldn't worry about the trailer. Do put a rust barrier coat on the inside of the drawbar however as it's uncoated steel.

2. If your typical wind is 5 knots, get the 150 roller furling Genoa. I have no problem sailing in 5 knots with it (at 3.5 knots).

3. I just bought the factory roller furler used but have not yet installed it. It's clearly big enough, however. I'm planning to do a mod of my own before installing it which I'll report on when it's done. The standing rigging seems light but works well.

4. Leading lines aft is a dealer option not factory, and differs for every dealer. You can lead just about everything aft using existing hard-points and cabin-top tracks if you don't mind using them for that. Since I don't use a jib, I use the cabin-top tracks to mount hardware for aft-lines.

5. You can add a second reef or you can buy a different main made to your spec. You might be able to get the factory or a dealer to refund the main price if you don't need it. Combined with your desire to move the boom up, it sounds like you're going to hate the cheap factory main and should just consider having one made to your specifications. Since you've likely come from a better fit-out boat, you're not going to like a lot of the "best-value" choices MacGregor made on the boat and will be replacing a lot of hardware.

6. I concur, buy without the stove and add your own. I find that the alcohol stove works a lot better than I expected, and it's cheap and safe to run. We use it quite a bit.

7. The 12 gallon tanks are on both sides. I like the setup, but I climb in to fuel rather than taking the tanks out. If you're going to take the tanks out, get four six gallon tanks instead.

8. Buy a different Bimini--better options that stock are available and it's not cheap. Raising the gooseneck is not difficult, and the mast has 12" at the top UNLESS you have the main furler, which uses about six of those inches.

Good luck, and do post what you get!

[pokerrick1]

I'm going to add a LITTLE thing, but it made a BIG difference in life in the cabin. I had a flourescent light installed above the dinette (both AC/DC) to create a bright reading and eating area (it installs at an angle on the ceiling) - - - it was about 18" or so long and I think I got it either at Home Depot or Lowes for around $22 or so. I can't tell you how many times I turned it on and was extremely happy it was available!

Rick

[bdailjr]

Try Boating Atlanta GA. Got my MAC from there in 2005. The best buy in a boat for me. Been to Outer Banks, Bimini, the Gulf Coast Orange Beach and best of all Charleston SC. Good LUCK on your desire. Form Knoxville TN

[Crikey]

All areas pretty well covered here. For me - surface piercing foils and a two hundred horsepower engine, plus the above.
Forgot: a bottle of polish!

[davidbourne]

Hey Lancelot,

I just bought a new M, and it's in Asheville if you ever want to take a look. I got it in Cincinnati at Strictly Sail. They were great to work with. I never made it to Atlanta, but it was my first choice since it's 3 hours from here.

Where are you planning to sail in WNC? I'm a big fan of Jocassee, but I hope to sail all of the nearby lakes and trailer to the ICW, where I grew up in Georgetown, SC.

Happy hunting!

David

[Québec 1]

Out here in Northern Canada in March I have Kanouk the wild dog of the North , as a desirable option , protecting my boat.

Q1

[NiceAft]

lancelot9898,

In your post, you never mentioned if you have ever been on an or an If yes, how was it equipped? Did it have any of what is being mentioned here?

If no, take a ride on one before you use any more neurons thinking about what you need.


When I bought my , I knew that I was just not ever going to have the time to do any important mod's myself. I had my long list installed by the dealer. No matter how long your list, it will grow

How deep is the bucket that holds the disposable income

Ray

[Québec 1]

I'm going to add a LITTLE thing, but it made a BIG difference in life in the cabin. I had a flourescent light installed above the dinette (both AC/DC) to create a bright reading and eating area (it installs at an angle on the ceiling) - - - it was about 18" or so long and I think I got it either at Home Depot or Lowes for around $22 or so. I can't tell you how many times I turned it on and was extremely happy it was available!

Rick

picture please