Is This Mac too far gone?

[BillOcala]

I found a 1984 Macgregor 25 for sale for pretty reasonable - then started going through the pictures. The hull has scary trailer dents. Is this boat worth even looking at or is it too far gone? The price is pretty good, but then I look at that hull...

This is the link to the boat trader listing, the hull photos are on the next to last and last page of photos - these photos show severe "denting" from the trailer bunks I assume because of the Keel weight. I don't know if they would come out and that cant be good for in the water performance.

http://www.boattrader.com/listing/1984- ... -101798264

[gyroplanes]

My MAC 25 had trailer bumps. I don't know if they came out when it was in the water or not. I sailed it for 10 + years. Good boat, I enjoyed it very much.

[RobertB]

Overall, the boat looks pretty good - except:
- Looks like ALL the woodwork needs to be refinished or replaced. This to me is not a big deal.
- The metal keel needs to be refinished, lots of rust. Again, no big deal.
- The way the hull is concave where the trailer support is gives me the biggest concern. any way to get this boat lifted off the tailer onto jacks and see if it comes back down?

I would suggest you also budget to replace the upholstery and both the wire and rope rigging.

[BillOcala]

In another post someone had put up a copy of the original brochure for this boat. The cut-away diagram of the boat shows that there should be some bulkheads about where those dents/bumps are. I am wondering now if there could be some some wood damage/rot inside the boat that is allowing the hull to move in that far.

http://www.sailingtexas.com/Brochures/p ... chure6.jpg

With the re-rigging which would probably be needed - I think this boat is not such a deal and I am going to keep looking.

[snotnosetommy]

Those trailer bumps do look a little more severe than usual, although my 85 m25 has em anytime she's on the trailer.
Can you view the boat in person? If so, one thing you could do with consigner's permission is jack the stern up off the trailer.
If you haven't done it before, just drop the trailer jack all the way down, then stick a really good stout sawhorse or something wide and solid under the stern, near the rudder. Then raise the jack till she comes up off the trailer. You'd get a better idea of the situation.
That two-axle trailer is a lot better than the standard mac trailer.

[Tomfoolery]

Unless there is obvious structural damage, and/or unless it's a racing boat that you're going to race where hull shape is hypercritical, I doubt that those dents, what's left of them after you take the weight off (give them time) will make much of a difference in how it performs.

[Sumner]

Just for what it is worth the price isn't a great price. You are getting into the price range that some 26D's are going for. It does look like the rudder is an Ida Sailor and if so that is nice. One big deal breaker would be the outboard. For that price I'd be hoping to find something that has a very good outboard even if it is older. If you had to buy one figure $500-600 for a good used one and on up over $1000 for a new one. Also is that outboard for sure a long shaft? I can't tell from the picture that well. If it is a short shaft that isn't good. It would also be nice if it had a furler for that price.

The trailer is very nice as has been mentioned. You might also post on the other board where there are a number of 25 owners for opinions. Good luck,

Sum

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[Ormonddude]

$5000 is to much in my Opinion -Watch - Craigslist.org I payed 2 thousand more for a 96 26X with a 40hp Yamaha that runs great (exceptional deal) but I Literally have seen people giving them away, Do Not Be afraid to Look in other areas up to about a 300 mile radius or whatever you are comfortable with for Better Prices the boats are out there. You have to realize for a great deal be willing to look far and wide and ask lots questions then travel for it. I had to cover 500 miles round trip for my deal but worth every minute of it I could sell her for 12 grand without trying or fuss.

[Handsomebob]

offer him $2900, no more.

[vizwhiz]

I made the mistake of buying the boat based on "good" things like the trailer and motor...but the boat hull had damage I overlooked, and now wish I hadn't. The boat is the important part, as that's the most valuable part and the part you'll be using most! Especially since it isn't a power-sailer with large motor, make sure the boat itself is worth the effort first, then factor in things like trailer and motor. (I picked up a rebuilt 9.9 hp 4-stroke locally for $400 - insignificant compared to the hull problems I'm dealing with!)

[Ormonddude]

Offer $7000 on this and go up if you have to
http://okaloosa.craigslist.org/boa/3296724280.html

[finding41]

Stay away from the sagging hull. I looked at a 25 last year that had the interior torn out. When I was walking on the top I could see the hull flex ware the bunk was! It looked ok from outside. I mean I didn't notice it before I noticed it from up top.
When I got my boat that was one of the biggest concerns I had. I had the PO take detailed pictures inside the areas that the hull met the bunk. This was before I decided to purchase.
That X for 7k looks good. I like the head on the X.