MacG cease product'n in CA. 2 new boats to be made in FL

[kmclemore]

And kudos for getting actual hard facts out there before wild speculation and rumor gets too much of a toe hold. Unheard of in the internet age.

Thanks - very much appreciated.

Our goal has always been to ensure that this forum remains the premier source for accurate, friendly and helpful advice and information about MacGregor boats, so it was imperative that I quickly get the true facts from all the parties involved. I greatly appreciate the willing cooperation and candidness of both BWY and Roger MacGregor (and his wife, who chimed in on the call ).

Is there any information about what part of Florida the new facilities will be in?

That has not yet been announced. Stay tuned.

The new company will have at least two advantages… Legacy and brand awareness.

And two more, very important advantages... first, they've grown up building boats for a living - and in particular, MacGregor boats - so they have a wealth of experience and skills that no other new 'Mac-like' boat builder could match... and second, they've got the capability for many years (we hope!) of future sage advice from their dad and mum.

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

This is interesting "news", and somewhat exciting since the new boats manufactured in Florida will have "less" regulation as in California and perhaps more of these "MacGregor" type boats can be marketed at sensible prices. Since this has been a family business with many years with lots of experience, I think continuing in these fine water ballast boats will definately be a success. It'll be exciting to see the "new" lines of production in Florida.

This forum definately keeps MacGregor owners up to date. Thanks.

I sorta wish the new line of boats in Florida would (in some way) simply "KEEP" the MacGregor name. It's gonna' be a big chore moving all that factory machinery, & equipment to Florida.

[1st Sail]

Any time line between the end of production and start of the new boat? Would seriously think about trading up. I have the deepest respect for Roger and the MacGregor boat line. He stayed the course and brought affordable sailing to thousands of families and individuals. Best of health and good fortune to you and your family. Thank You.

[kmclemore]

Any time line between the end of production and start of the new boat?

No timeline had been announced.

As to any further questions, I have given you all the facts that are currently able to be released. If I hear more that I'm able to pass on, I will do so here first.

As regards boat supplies, of course there are several existing 26M's still in the pipeline and I'd imagine these will sell out very quickly as these will be the last 'new' 26M's available ever again.

Starting any new business takes time, and I should know because I've started two of them... there's a host of issues to be sorted - location, site work, legal, financial, workforce acquisition & training, local regulations & permits... loads to do... so (and I have no inside information on this, so I'm speaking on my own opinion here) I'd think it may take as much as a year before you'd see the first boats off the line.

[dlandersson]

But making up rumors out of whole cloth is such fun.

As to any further questions, I have given you all the facts that are currently able to be released. If I hear more that I'm able to pass on, I will do so here first.
.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Trying to confuse us with facts.

Stuart, Florida.

[Divecoz]

Not necessarily so LH.. but I for one would love to read your " source!!"

This is interesting "news", and somewhat exciting since the new boats manufactured in Florida will have "less" regulation as in California and perhaps more of these "MacGregor" type boats can be marketed at sensible prices. Since this has been a family business with many years with lots of experience, I think continuing in these fine water ballast boats will definately be a success. It'll be exciting to see the "new" lines of production in Florida.

This forum definately keeps MacGregor owners up to date. Thanks.

I sorta wish the new line of boats in Florida would (in some way) simply "KEEP" the MacGregor name. It's gonna' be a big chore moving all that factory machinery, & equipment to Florida.

[reastmure]

It will be a sad day when the last one roles off the line. I will be in morning over the end of the line for my 26M brethren. Guess the same happened to the X and the D and the...but somehow this seems more sad. Me, I'll keep sail'n off into the sunset proudly knowing I have participated in a small way in the legacy of these craft and their creator.

[1st Sail]

Above it's Bill at Boats for Sail, Oconomowoc, WI then signs off Stuart, FL. Hope your sailing and not out of boats already.

[mastreb]

[mod="kmclemore'][*]The new 26-foot boat will be very similar in design and manufacture to the existing 26M, but with a nice series of improvements, including some new hull colors.[/mod]

So I'm presuming the new 26M will actually be produced from the same mold, which would be an asset sale from the old corporation to the new? This would allow for no real gap in production.

A primary reason to start a new business is to shed all liability that may have accumulated to the old business. Law suits from improper boat use, environmental cleanup of the former factory site that "appears" after new regulation years in the future, and any potential debt would all be shed by a new company, which could simply purchase the tooling to continue to stamp out 26Ms if that's what the want to do.

There's a difference between roger and his children however: He didn't grow up rich, and they did. I'd fully expect the new boats to come off the line quite a bit higher end, and no longer the low-price industry leaders. My hope would be a "value pinnacle", but I'd expect hull prices to about double for a new boat, which is more in line with what other 26 footers cost.

Should this come to pass, we'll all be able to sell our hulls for what we paid for them

[Catigale]

I'm thinking the market will bear a 50% increase in this class boat, not 100 %

Of course I supremely doubt the boat will come in the bare bones version, the profit is really in the accessories.

I'm glad they are on my coast even if its a long trip down to FL.

[Ixneigh]

Maybe they could do semi custom production in Florida. Choice of fabrics, teak ply instead of brown formicah, two options for down below layouts. How about an option to use vinyl ester resin that would not need epoxy barrier coating?
Ix

[Ixneigh]

I wish Roger well in his retirement. The best adventures I've had under sail have been on my 22 and 26 ft boats and the sailing world is better for his involvement.
I had a few little nits to pick with my new M but have fixed many of then, and look forward to changing it to suit my tastes for many years.
Ix

[Tomfoolery]

What's also frequently done, since we're speculating and thinking out loud, is that certain key personnel, like engineering/design, Q/A, Q/C, production, etc., are invited to make the move also. I have no idea what's in the cards here, but it would make some sense to maintain continuity, as a pure start-up is pretty tough to do in this sort of industry. I've been through it (heavy equipment manufacturing) where buying the assets without people who know it (and the pimples and warts) makes for a painful learning curve.

I haven't a clue as to what they'll do here, and even if they whole plant is offered a job in FL, not all would go of course, but hopefully there will be some relo's, both for the sake of the (soon to be) former employees, and for the smooth startup of the new company.

Juuuuust talking out loud, since the facts as they're known are out and there's nothing left to do BUT speculate. This IS the internet, after all.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Above it's Bill at Boats for Sail, Oconomowoc, WI then signs off Stuart, FL. Hope your sailing and not out of boats already.

The new boats will be made in Stuart, Florida.

I still have two new 2013 MacGregor 26M's, the last two I will get, at my Temporary World Headquarters, near Oconomowoc, WI. They are both available at my Christmas, Hanukkah, Festivus, Boxing Day, Kwanzaa, Winter-Solstice, Holiday, Anniversary, Year-End, Boat-Show Special Price. Contact me for details.

I will be selling the new boat(s) when they become available.