More Ms than Xs?

[DaveB]

Seems like most of the Forum is leading to the MacM and not to the MacX.
I have been working on my 1997 MacX for past 6mo.
Upgrades are replace all windows, rubrail, install anchor windlass, replace wires, install new steering system, new rudder stansions, new 50hp Merc.
Tandem Aluminum Trailer.
Many more upgrades I have done and some not completed.
My boat with up grades will be close to a 2-4 year old boat with hull gelcoat at a 6-8 year condition.
Cost is over $12,000. I just do it for fun and enjoy .
I have never seen a fully loaded 26 ft boat with a 50 hp outboard that does 17.6 mph. like mine.
Dave

And while you guys are making changes ,,

Any chance of getting a MacTrawler smilie ?

No. For reasons previously explained.

[dlandersson]

When you run out of things to do you can keep having fun on my boat - it's a 97 X also.

I just do it for fun and enjoy.

[Tony E]

And when you are done having fun on his please try mine....ha ha ....it needs all that and more and is a 98X...

[Herschel]

Seems like most of the Forum is leading to the MacM and not to the MacX.

I suspect that over time, there will be attrition among 26X owners, and we will see that in the numbers of active boats/boaters in use. I have a small O'Day dingy and am on the O'Day forums, too. That is an even older line of boats that I think closed up shop in the late 80's or early 90's. There are more models of O'Days than MacGregors, but perhaps, the trends on those forums (yes, I took Latin; it should be "fora" ) might be a predictor of things to come several years out. What I see going on with O'Days is that there are fewer posts, sometimes none a day. But the positive is that when you ask a question, someone does eventually come out of the woodwork and respond. I had a lot of help with a recent restoration/repair issue on a 1959 model from three great guys that knew their fiberglass. It is not as lively as we are accustomed to in the MacGregor world, but it does remind us we are not alone with our chosen craft. Plus, I think this forum is exceptional and may have created a superior level of comraderie and community to see us into an even healthier "golden years" of boat use and ownership.

[Catigale]

1996-2004, 8 year run

2004-2014, 10 year run

We are probably pretty even in boats delivered, and the trend will be to post to the boats from now on of course.

It's still amazing that Roger sold the same profitable boat for 18 years, through three major economic cycles, without breaking stride.

[dlandersson]

Don't forget the "S" and "D"

And the 25 was boat of the year when it came out in 1973. Had a 14 year run.

1996-2004, 8 year run

2004-2014, 10 year run

We are probably pretty even in boats delivered, and the trend will be to post to the boats from now on of course.

It's still amazing that Roger sold the same profitable boat for 18 years, through three major economic cycles, without breaking stride.

[mastreb]

1996-2004, 8 year run

2004-2014, 10 year run

We are probably pretty even in boats delivered, and the trend will be to post to the boats from now on of course.

It's still amazing that Roger sold the same profitable boat for 18 years, through three major economic cycles, without breaking stride.

Yep it's numbers. Actually these boats don't go away. They get new owners who show up here. Some get lost, wander away, get broken up. Others get rebuilt like our friend Venture81 does.

Bottom line is that the 26M is defacto still being built and will outnumber the X in units sold if it doesn't already because it's the bread & butter of Tattoo Yachts while they transition to their own future designs.

It's such a "pinnacle" design for the type that it will likely remain either in production or directly knocked off for the next decade at a minimum.

[SENCMac26x]

Simple, because you can have too much of a good thing, so Roger limited the an opted for a slower to preserve the marketplace for the vastly superior design.

When he determine the wasn't slow enough, he then offered it with a Blue Hull.



(Note to the humorless: the above is not meant to be taken seriously)

In all honesty it was extremely hard for me to choose between the or because they are both great boats. In the end, I chose the X but sometimes wonder if I did the right thing.

I would say I'd move up to a Tatoo in a decade or so, but I honestly plan to get a cruising catarman in about 20 years.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I was thinking pretty much the same thing about a catamaran until I did my last in-water boat show. The guy next to me was selling a nice catamaran. Telling potential customers the advantages. When we didn't have customers, he would tell me about all the dis-advantages. His personal boat was not a cat, nor even the brand of boat that he sold.
I sold and sailed MacGregors, 26C, Mac 19, 26X, and 26M, and now the Tattoo. I keep my 3rd MacGregor 26X, with a lot of mods, in Florida, for my winter use.

The last MacGregor 26M that I sold was # 3171. I sold over 150 of them. I don't recall the last # of 26X that I sold, but hundreds of Macs total.

[dlandersson]

Where in Florida exactly? I'm always looking for spare parts.

I was thinking pretty much the same thing about a catamaran until I did my last in-water boat show. The guy next to me was selling a nice catamaran. Telling potential customers the advantages. When we didn't have customers, he would tell me about all the dis-advantages. His personal boat was not a cat, nor even the brand of boat that he sold.
I sold and sailed MacGregors, 26C, Mac 19, 26X, and 26M, and now the Tattoo. I keep my 3rd MacGregor 26X, with a lot of mods, in Florida, for my winter use.

The last MacGregor 26M that I sold was # 3171. I sold over 150 of them. I don't recall the last # of 26X that I sold, but hundreds of Macs total.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Four Winds Marina on the north end of Pine Island. If you go to their webcam, you can see my mast at the far end of the dock on the left.
I was there in November. Will be back for parts of Jan/Feb/March.
Where are you?

[dlandersson]

If any parts go missing off your boat and reappear around Michigan City, In, it's purely coincidence.

All the stuff I buy from you and you don't know where you ship it to?

Four Winds Marina on the north end of Pine Island. If you go to their webcam, you can see my mast at the far end of the dock on the left.
I was there in November. Will be back for parts of Jan/Feb/March.
Where are you?

[Ixneigh]

The x was my first choice until I decided to buy new due to financing reasons. I liked the layout, and had been on them before. However I remain quite happy with the M model, now painted blue AND white. Thst makes me half fast
I'm really not sure how they could improve the boat , for what it is. They could do minor tweaks to the outside, different color trim, but like a pickup truck, if that's what you need then you get it no matter what the outside looks like. It's reached it's end for that design until they make one that flies.
It's would be hard for a new outfit to start competing with tattoo since that have so much of the market, and with what? Their boat would have to look a lot like the 26 if it's to offer similar abilities and room.
Ix

[DaveB]

Bill, I launch out of Cape Coral but many times out of Pineland and Bokeelia public dock.
Best Conch Chowder is at lazy Flamingo Rest. at four winds.
Jug creak is easy passage to Cayo Costa.(boards up)
Dave

Four Winds Marina on the north end of Pine Island. If you go to their webcam, you can see my mast at the far end of the dock on the left.
I was there in November. Will be back for parts of Jan/Feb/March.
Where are you?

[Catigale]

I love that 2003-2004 layout, the special 2 years. So roomy for cruising on a rainy day.

But with the rug rats leaving, the is nice for 2