Getting ready to come aboard!

[swampcreek]

I'm a current 1993 26S owner and love it but I'm really starting to look at getting an X or M or even a NEW M! I always said I'd never buy a brand new boat living in MD (So many used boats around) but I'm really starting to think I just might since there doesen't seem to be a lot of 26M's for sale (Then it is a little early). When we bought our 26S 3 years ago I thought that we'd eventually move up to something in the mid 30's but after finding all the benefits of a smaller boat and being able to bring her home from the marina in the Winter all we really need is the larger interior of the X or M. So now I'm reading my eyes out trying to decide what to do. 26X, used 26M, NEW 26M? I figure we'll enjoy our 26S one more year and possibly go for a new M for next year unless we run into a smokin deal on a slightly used one this Summer.

For those of you who have switched from a boat such as mine to a X or M I have a few questions, if the differances are minimal than no big deal but is there anything outstanding?...

How much smaller is the cockpit on a 26M from a 26X?

How much different is the sailing (speed, tacking, light, heavy wind/waves) on the 26X and or 26M compared to a 26S?





Thanks all!

[Ixneigh]

The m is going to seem clunky- er then the s due to higher freeboard and underbody made for powering as well as sailing. I had a v 22 before my M and it took me a while to get used to the differences. I spend a lot of time on board at the mooring so the big interior is really what I was after. The boat sailed well enough though and it's a very dry sailor with little spray. It you are happy with the layout of you current boat but just want permanent headroom I would suggest replacing the pop up with a hard dodger like I did with my 22. Had I done that mod on a 26 instead I probably would not have bought my M, or ever tried a rotating mast. Now it's doubtful I will ever consider a conventional stayed small boat rig without it.
A foam and fiberglass cabin addition would cost you about 3000 dollars and you could actually then operated the boat from inside like a small pilot house.
The only drawback is the reduction in visibility from the cockpit.
Ixneigh
Vids of my old boat are on YouTube. User Lastlionmonday.

[chuck]

I bought a 2007 26M last November. I still have my 1993 26S, but will be listing her for sale around May. I know that the "M" will not sail as well as the "S", but here are the reasons I have moved up to the "M". Before I go on, I want to say that both my wife and I are in our mid 70's, one of us is 76+. First, the cabin with it's standing head room, (I don't have to put up the pop top and cover to get standing head room in the rain), and larger cabin will give my wife and me much more confort. It is easier to get into the rear berths also, and you can make a nice berth with the dinette. Second, It is easier to use the head. I don't feel like the astronuts going down the hall bent over like they were in the "Right Stuff" every time I use it. Third, it will be nice to motor at around 6 or 7 knots instead of 4 knots. I know I can go faster if need be. Fourth, it is nice to have a anchor line locker and more chain. Fifth, It has much more storage down below. Sixth, I like the dinette table, and our table folds in half and makes a couch for sitting. Seventh, it is much more comfortable for our 4 to 5 week cruises in the Puget Sound, and San Juan Is. Last, I like the sliding galley.

I know there are other things, and I know there are things I will miss from the "S", but everything is a compromise, and I am happy with my choice to go with the 2007 "M".

Good luck,

Chuck

[mastreb]

A foam and fiberglass cabin addition would cost you about 3000 dollars and you could actually then operated the boat from inside like a small pilot house.
The only drawback is the reduction in visibility from the cockpit.

I really like this idea as a replacement for the sliding hatch! I'm 6'5" so I don't have standing headroom per se. With Lexan windows, you'd be able to see through it from the cockpit well enough, and I'd just have it fabbed to lock up with a new drop in companionway hatch.

Where would one go to have something like this made? I could do it myself out of sheet delrin I suppose, but that would be heavy. What sort of foam are you speaking of?

For pilothouse operation I could either add a wheel pilot with remote, or put in hydraulic steering with a valved second steering wheel mounted on the daggerboard trunk. I'd leave the wheel off when not in use.

Very tempting idea...

[NiceAft]

Swampcreek,

The most important bit of advise is to get aboard an and an . You will get all sorts of good advice on this site, but having a hands on experience on each of these boats is the best information source. You will then be able to ruminate with the best of them.

Ray

[c130king]

Swampcreek,

Where are you located? My boat will be ready to go from Casa Rio Marina in Mayo, MD the weekend of 24/25 March (I hope.... )

You can go out with me on my 2005 (of the faster white hulled variety... ).

I normally go solo...but I need an experienced crew to help me learn how to launch my new spinnaker.

Send me a PM or EM if you are interested.

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König
Sailing on König YouTube Channel

[swampcreek]

Hey Jim that sounds like a good idea. I never flew a spinnaker though. I sent you a PM. I am in Pasadena MD, we keep our boat at White Rocks Marina in Rock Creek. I'd post a picture but I am having difficulties doing things like that on this site.

Thanks for all the replies everyone. Any information is appreciated.

I've bought 3 large factory new items in my entire life. My 1993 Harley Superglide that I still have (took it to work today), my 1997 F 250 diesel truck that we still have and my wifes 2009 Toyota Tacoma that we still have. Maybe it's time to ad another item to that list in the form of a boat. It's a pretty big step and I WILL have to sail on one before I'd buy one. I'm 6'1" @ 245ibs and could really use the extra room.

If we did buy a new Macgregor, how is the pricing handled? Is it firm with no haggle or is it negotiable like a car dealership?

[NiceAft]

The real money is made on the extras you have them install. A stripped down Mac is fairly inexpensive (for a sailboat).

Ray

[Divecoz]

Very true! Maybe? No truer words ever spoken Though that can be said about many things you have done for you by others..The more you can do yourself the less it will cost..From time to time , someone will post what they were charged to have this or that installed and many of us choke on the cost..

The real money is made on the extras you have them install. A stripped down Mac is fairly inexpensive (for a sailboat).

Ray

[swampcreek]

I'd prefer to do most of my own mods anyway since I'm seldom happy the way others do things. Our current boat's entire electrical system consisted of a toggle switch for the running lights and a small light over the sink. It now has volt meters, solar panel and controller, a small power ditribution panel leading to about 6 circuits, 2 batteries on a Perko switch and I installed an alternator on the 8hp Nissan. I never need to plug in (But carry a cord and charger just in case) It also has the best stereo I own on it with 2 speakers in the cabin and 2 large tiaxles mounted in a felt box for setting up on deck when the time is right.

I also replaced a lot of those plywood deck plates under the cushions with actual poly hatches, the hatches are slotted so when the boat is unatended I prop up the cushions and everything airs out. If I were to buy a new boat it would be mostly bare bones except for the RF & genoa and highest hp (but most durable first) outboard...Maybe the transom ladder.

Speaking of transoms, how are they made on the motor cruisers, are they solid glass? sandwiched? If sandwiched...with what? (Please please please be solid glass).

[NiceAft]

What, no wet bar

I believe the transom is solid glass, but someone else is sure to chime in.


Ray

[Sumner]

Probably not too relevant since we also have a S, but I think the one primary determining factor for us if we were considering a X or M would be where we sail and where we wanted to sail. If it was going to be in area with shallow water like the west coast of Florida or new to us lakes that we had never sailed then it would for sure be an X with the centerboard vs. the dagger board.

We considered X and M's a couple years ago. At the time we felt the M was too expensive but gave the X serious consideration. Then when looking at the S and D's and doing more research and thinking about how we wanted to travel with the boat settled on the S for the swing centerboard and have not regretted that decision. The S has worked very well for us and if we were looking again right now is what we would look for, but I can see the appeal of both the X and M for others.

Since we have only had someone else on the boat once for 3 days and will never do that again unless they were a sailor the S has plenty of room for us. I'm 6-1 but still have no issue with the height deal and Ruth is 5-2, so even has less of an issue, but who knows that might be a problem down the road. To us at this point the Endeavour is so big that we don't really feel like we are on a sailboard. Also at this point we feel a lot more 'connected' to the Mac and probably always will,

Sum

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Our MacGregor S Pages

Mac-Venture Links

[cruiser]

It now has .................and I installed an alternator on the 8hp Nissan...................

Just wondering if your motor has a regulator on the alternator. My Nissan 8HP has electric start with alternator/recifier but does not have a regulator - very few outboards apart from the more recent ones do I gather. I am keen to fit a regulator to mine in the easiest way I can.

[swampcreek]

It now has .................and I installed an alternator on the 8hp Nissan...................

Just wondering if your motor has a regulator on the alternator. My Nissan 8HP has electric start with alternator/recifier but does not have a regulator - very few outboards apart from the more recent ones do I gather. I am keen to fit a regulator to mine in the easiest way I can.

It's the same as yours, unregulated. It's just that my engine didn't originally come with any charging equipment so I bought the part from Nissan, bought a flywheel puller from eBay and slapped it on. From what I remember reading and also testing with a multimeter the RPM range did not affect the voltage enough to cause concern, if it did I would have had a solution. That being said if I ever were in need of a nice inexpensive regulator I'd buy one for an old VW Bug, they're simple, cheap and reliable. I'm sure they're better solutions but I am familiar with the VW regulator since I have a dune buggy.

That 8 Nissan is a SWEET engine, I believe it to be the best engine I've ever owned. Last year when getting ready to launch the boat I went to start her up after sitting all Winter...1 pull and running...WOW! The fuel economy is truley amazing too. I guess her days are numbered though with this new gasoline the government is forcing on everyone, I heard the new gas is tearing up the 2 strokes. Thats a shame.

[cruiser]

That's interesting, I must have a look with a voltmeter next time I have the motor running. I very rarely run it much more than half revs so perhaps I do not need to worry that much. I have only had the boat about 18 months and very, very pleased with the motor - although I am going to put a low pitch prop on it to assist with manouvering in marinas Very easy to start and runs like a charm.