What is the difference between MacGregor models?

[bjackson]

I have a Venture 21 but would like to upgrade to the MacGregor 26. I understand that the 26X and 26M are the power sailors with the X having the swing keel and the M having the daggerboard. Were there significant changes from the X to the M that make it more desirable? What about the D,S,C, and regular 25 models? Were there significant changes between the models that make a certain model so much 'better' than the others? An overview of each model would help me out. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Mac26Mpaul]

Hey matey, welcome aboard.
Heres a start:
http://www.macgregor26x.com/forum/viewt ... 73&start=0
I disagree with the first comment about these boats not pointing well. With the Gen, that might be the case - I'm told about 50 degrees, but with the standard jib that I have, it would be closer to 45 which is pretty normal I think.

Also
http://macgregor26x.com/phpBB/viewtopic ... 8ec99b24e5

But here you are going to get a lot of subjective views based on which model people own/love
"Possibly" a more objective view on the differences could be found here
http://www.macgregor26.com/comparison_w ... nd_26m.htm
Personally I think my White M is the best although I do wish it had the X centreboard rather than the daggerboard...

[grnwtrcruzn]

You know what they say marks the spot. What more do you need?

[dlandersson]

X has a larger cockpit and the M has a larger cabin. M's, being newer, tend to cost more.

X owners tend to be nicer people - refraining from comments re: slow M's with blue hulls, etc.

I have a Venture 21 but would like to upgrade to the MacGregor 26. I understand that the 26X and 26M are the power sailors with the X having the swing keel and the M having the daggerboard. Were there significant changes from the X to the M that make it more desirable? What about the D,S,C, and regular 25 models? Were there significant changes between the models that make a certain model so much 'better' than the others? An overview of each model would help me out. Any comments would be greatly appreciated.

[Mac26Mpaul]

X owners tend to be nicer people - refraining from comments re: slow M's with blue hulls, etc.

Yeah but M owners tend to be better looking - bit like the owners looking like their dogs (boats in this case) thing I guess...

[dlandersson]

That's what marriage is for...no matter how ugly you are...you always have a Friday night date.

X owners tend to be nicer people - refraining from comments re: slow M's with blue hulls, etc.

Yeah but M owners tend to be better looking - bit like the owners looking like their dogs (boats in this case) thing I guess...

[Catigale]

marks the spot, but you have to keep paying for an

OTOH, if ou only have one , you don't have any candy.....

[cruiser]

.................... What about the D,S,C, and regular 25 models? .............

MacGregor finished manufacturing trailer sailors with ballasted keels in 1987 when they ceased production of the M23 and M25. I gather about 7,000 V25/M25 where built and this was the model that was admitted into the American Saiboat Hall of Fame in 2003. The 25 began production in 1974 as a V25 (the designation V (for Venture) was used from 1967 until 1967. The first model with the M (for MacGrgeor) prefix was the M36 in 1976. The M25 was in production form 1985 to 1987.

Manufacture of the first of the water ballasted MacGegors commenced in 1987 with the 26D (D for daggerboard). Prior to that period all the boats had ballasted keels. In 1990 MacGregor began manufacturing the 26S (S for swing keel). Both these models had water ballast and unweighted dagger boards/swing keels (although when the board is down a small amount of water can enter the inside of the board). Both the 26D & 26S have displacement hulls and use small outboards – usually 6-10HP. These two models are jointly referred to as MacGregor 26Cs (C for Classic)

In 1993 MacGregor began marketing the MacGregor 19, the first of the water ballasted planning hulls (or 'power sailors' as they are often refered to) designed to take larger outboards. Production was ended for both the 26S and the M19 in 1995 and that year MacGrgeor began marketing the 26X. The ‘X’ was for ‘experimental, although really the M19 was the ‘experimental’ power sailor model. In actual fact I believe the first of the 26Xs where marketed as 2600s. I have never seen verified figure for the number of boats produced but from anecdotal evidence it appears about 5,000 26Xs and perhaps about 6,000 26 Classics all up – although I would certainly stand corrected on those figures. The 26M is of course still in production.

[Catigale]

Link to the Wikipedia entry , unverified source material but believed to be mostly correct

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/MacGregor_ ... orporation

[vizwhiz]

OTOH, if ou only have one , you don't have any candy.....

But you could still have the blue-colored candy coating!

[bjackson]

Thank you for your responses...I am most interested in the D and S models. I guess the main differences are the water ballast vs. weighted keel and the swing keel vs. the daggerboard. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? I think I would also be interested in a larger cockpit vs. a larger cabin area. Where there noticeable differences in those two areas in the D and S models?

[vizwhiz]

The D and S models are nearly identical in layout and size with a few minor exceptions...

The D model has a daggerboard "trunk" that runs up along the inside next to the galley, the S is open in that area.

The D model daggerboard requires rigging on the top of the deck for the hoisting line (to raise and lower the daggerboard), meaning one more line on the deck. The S model has that line (initially anyway) down inside the cabin on the face of the galley.

The D has the rudder post mounted to the outside of the transom, where the S has the rudder post "hidden" inside the lazarette at the back of the boat (not visible from the outside).

It is my understanding that the rest of the dimensions, both inside cabin and in the cockpit, are all identical, having used the same basic hull molds and liner parts...please correct me if I'm mistaken.

Here are two little spec sheets that should help you see some of the differences...

[cruiser]

Thank you for your responses...I am most interested in the D and S models. I guess the main differences are the water ballast vs. weighted keel and the swing keel vs. the daggerboard. What are the advantages/disadvantages of each? I think I would also be interested in a larger cockpit vs. a larger cabin area. Where there noticeable differences in those two areas in the D and S models?

Water ballst is a big plus when it comes to trailering as there is a lot less weight. My S had an all up weight (ATM) of 1,450kg on the trailer - I am pretty much near this ATM limits with motor (8HP electric start), fuel, water, etc on board, but it beats having to tow a 2,000kg or more weighted keel boat any distance. Some people find the water ballast takes a bit of getting use to as the boat tends to heel quickly then firms up straight away - to be perfectly honest I don't notice a lot of difference. A daggerboard would point better but this needs to be traded off against hitting a hidden obstacle and thus doing damage to the keel. I find the size of the cockpit and cabin to be plenty big enough for what we do - mostly sailing 3 up but have sailed 4 up with no discomfort and think I could handle 6 at a pinch.

Here is another site that also gets traffic from D & S owners. You will notice a 'sticky' thread at the top that relates to a discussion about D v's S. http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners. ... y.php?f=68