26x Offshore capabilities - Newbie

[Gbyrd]

I'm an inexperienced sailer and I don't want to live life on the edge...what's the boat comfortable in swell wise?

There are several rigs within 10-15 miles that'd be great to go to when it's not super rough offshore but all the crap you read online it's like these boats will fall apart if they hit a wake the wrong way.

I'll be looking at a 98 26x Monday and Im getting excited this is finally happening!

[sunshinecoasting]

LOL, don't listen to the naysayers, no these are not blue or green water boats but they are very capable in a three or four foot swell, the worst I have been in is 2 meter swell (about 6-7 foot) and was not in fear at all, they are very sturdy and slam down the face of a big wave well, I wouldn't suggest this for more than an hour or two (I spent four hours at it once and was exhausted) but your boat will not break, everything inside will LOL. Ballast must be full and all boards down, I find in a large following sea I also need the motor down while sailing to reduce round up from surfing down the waves. Believe in the boat and it will serve you well. I often go 10Nm off shore here and don't feel intimidated at all, having said that I always check the weather and swell forecast first and keep an inflatable jacket on at all times while alone. The more you use your boat the more you will realise they are very capable. Cheers, Dennis.

[NiceAft]

Dennis,

Great post.

Succinct; informative personal experiences. I picked up some points, and I’ve owned my for fifteen years.

[opie]

Yes. Dennis' comments are spot on. You will enjoy your 26X.
Two comments:
1.Center board -UP- when motoring and all boards up when motoring over 6 knots.
2.NEVER, in your X, or any boat, let a large boat, throwing a wake, closely pass you. Veer away and try to cut wake at 45 degees.

Those are mistakes that I don't wish to ever repeat. And one more mistake I have made is an accidental gybe. Could have been deadly but all three of my warnings are for any sailboat.

I don't mean to hijack the OP's thread to produce lists and lists of advice. I am just pointing out that the MacGregor motor-sailers are forgiving and lots of fun. I have had 16 years of ownership and never regretted buying my 26X. I was a non-boater and this was my first time owning any boat. Good luck.

[opie]

Oops.. following my own advice, the question was about large swells.

I also go out about 5 miles and sometimes find large swells when returning in the pm when sea breeze changes. Cut them diagonally. Just that simple. Heavy pounding usually occurs when you are forced to motor home against swells due to urgency or channel restrictions.

I never felt that the MacGregor's hull was not capable of taking the smashing, but I also tried to minimize the pounding.
Only negative I recall from previous posts was the pounding broke a rusty, damaged centerboard bracket on someone's boat, I think near Raleigh, NC.
So check the bracket at least every other year.

[Tomfoolery]

1.Center board -UP- when motoring and all boards up when motoring over 6 knots.

Sort of disagree - I leave some CB down, like a long, shallow skiff keel, while motoring, with usually just one rudder down. Above 6 kt though, all boards up. But steering is much easier with one rudder and a little bit of CB down, and docking is waaay easier that way.

I do a lot of noodling around in the Erie Canal, and that’s the only way to get it to track straight on long, slow runs. Might track even straighter if I locked the OB dead-ahead with the quick disconnect with one or even both rudders down, but I like having the engine turn when docking, so I leave it connected.

For docking, the rudders do the steering when coasting into the quay at an angle, which is what most of the transient dock space is, and once slowed by the OB, I just reverse it with opposite rudder to pull the stern into the dock with the OB. Slick and neat into a tight spot between boats, with no overshoot.

[Jimmyt]

I'm an inexperienced sailer and I don't want to live life on the edge...what's the boat comfortable in swell wise?

There are several rigs within 10-15 miles that'd be great to go to when it's not super rough offshore but all the crap you read online it's like these boats will fall apart if they hit a wake the wrong way.

I'll be looking at a 98 26x Monday and Im getting excited this is finally happening!

Well, you asked:
In my opinion, 15 miles out is two motor territory - if you have folks with you that get nervous or have to be back the same day. If your outboard is new and in good condition, and your sails are good (and you know how to sail), then you have two ways to get home. You state that you are an inexperienced sailor. I would advise you to get a 10-15 hp kicker if you intend to go 15 miles offshore BEFORE you become an experienced sailor.

15 miles is a 3-1/2 to 4 hour sail in average conditions. You can do it in an hour or less if your outboard is good. However, if you have motor trouble and it starts blowing offshore, you will have to sail upwind. Going upwind, that 15 miles can take forever.

The guys above mentioned getting a good weather forecast, including wind forecast before setting out. Sailing to a destination is about going when the winds are favorable to take you. You can always motor in unfavorable winds, but if you only have one motor, you have to deal with whatever wind you have - should the motor crap out. Thus, my suggestion of the kicker.

As far as the boat is concerned, get it in good shape, with strong standing rigging. Keep your motor serviced. PFD's have been mentioned above, and that is great advice for anytime you get in the boat.

If you keep the boat, motor(s), and sails in good shape, and stay informed regarding the weather, you should be fine.

I have no doubt that either the X or M could safely make that trip with an experienced skipper; and probably in a lot worse weather than you would want to go in.

I wouldn't advise making that your first trip, though.

Happy boat shopping! It is exciting. Hope you find a good one!

[Drifter]

Can the 26X transom take a 15hp engine plus the mount without any modification?

You could just drill holes and bold the mount on, or would it be a major job?

[JamieJune]

Hello,
For what it may be worth...
The following is from a 'Small Craft Advisory' booklet I still have dated, Mar/Apr 2002, Issue No. 14.
An interview with accomplished sailor Shane St. Clair.
He was asked about trailerable sailboats:
"... I owned a MacGregor 26 for a couple of years. We used those in the South Pacific to deliver medical and dental supplies and personnel in the Republic of Kiribati for a couple of years. I am a real fan of them. We sailed them 500 miles from the Marshall Islands to the Republic of Kiribati."

[Gbyrd]

Haven't posted back because I've been really disappointed. Boat sold! I had to work the weekend it was posted and it was a good 2.5 hours a way. I work in a medical office and with Covid I've been staying late so going after hours wasn't possible. Had the weekend off, decided to take Friday since we had good coverage. Called and it had sold the day before

Back to searching. There's one close by but it's been sitting for 2 years. Motor only has a few hours on it but sitting that long can't be good for it. Trailer is gone. With boat and a new trailer it'd be 11k. Rather buy a boat that's ready to go but they are just so infrequent!

Had to vent, it's been bothering me....

[Drifter]

Pft, that's nothing!

I've been after a Mac26 for years, literally years... And then...

I found an absolute MINT 26M, located in Japan, close to the office of the boat dealer I was using to find one. It was literally like a new boat, everything pristine.

After some questions and checking stuff I went to the bank to make the money transfer...

Got a Whatsapp message, sold already.

Didn't give up and have just bought a very scruffy old 26X. On the bright side it's half the price, but it's gonna be a "project" As I've recently pointed out, I've been trying to find a Mac for over 10 years. To me, finding one in Japan, ie $7,000 shipping away, is "local".

Way I figure it, best to get this one and make it my own, actually sail the thing, than wait another 10 years for the ideal and perfect boat, by which time i might be too old or feeble or something. Who knows?

You however, you actually live in America, the Macgregor motherlode!

It's a trailer sailer, most in America (unlike Japan) have trailers. It may take a few hours of driving but seriously, just go buy one and tow it home. There's always a bunch of them on Craigslist, and you don't need a 3rd party to check it out, you don't need to convince them to help you ship it abroad; you can literally just drive over, take a good look, and if you like it hook it up and tow it home. Super simples!

Rejoice! Be happy!



I don't mean to sound condescending, I just want you to see how easy it really is for you. All you need is a tow-bar.

Go get a tow bar, make a Youtube vid of your adventure but please, go get one.

Omigod.... To really rub it in I went to Craigslist, my usual LA search (easier shipping to Malaysia) to show how bountiful and plentiful the wide array of Macgregors are for you...

A search revealed one advert:

"Wanted Macgregor 26X Sailboat Any Condition"

Aww dude. I'm feeling ya!

Welcome to my world. No actually, my ex-world.


Dude

Bro hug?

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I ran into some huge waves on Lake Michigan, once, trying to get back into port. I don't really recall how big. I was the wheel-man. My buddy was the throttle-man. We made it into port (obviously).
One time when I did the Strictly Sail boat show in Chicago, I talked to a man that lived on his Mac 65 in the Bahamas and used his 26X to go forth and back to Florida to get supplies.

[Drifter]

So I quickly researched Florida to the Bahamas...

I loved the quote I found on one page, about how a well-maintained boat with a couple of Yamaha 250s could get there in just 2 hours and on a single tankful of gas...

400 gallons.

So 500 horsepower and 400 gallons, or just take your time with 50 hp and sailing. That's another nice thing to like about the ; it's eco-friendly

[JotaErre]

I've been 10 miles (nautical miles) from the coast, and there was nothing special about it. I know a guy who used to sail from mainland Spain to Ibiza, in the Balearic Islands in his 26M... that's 60 nautical miles.