Introduction from Winnipeg

[PaulsPaddle]

Just saying "hello from Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada". Its -30C (-22F) so my mind naturally fades to summer. Recently 'discovered' MacGregor boats and wow, love it.

I've owned many power boats from small fishing boats to 22' Larson with a 5.7. Many miles in canoes exploring the north. Small dingy sail boats and the last few years I've been sailing with Hobie Island adventures (single and a double) We often sail on the Hobie as a family of four, but there are times when there is no wind we'd like to explore and its just too slow. (my boys are 15 and 10)

Ah, The MacGregor.

I have basic sailing on a Hobie which is incredibly forgiving sail kayak. Looking at a 26' sailboat is intimidating, but I believe doable to learn.

I know how to use the search button, so won't be asking about difference between X and M....that was my first hour of reading.

Looking forward to many more hours of lurking and reading the forum!

Paul

[NiceAft]

Welcome Paul.

Ask questions without fear; we are friendly and openly opinionated about our Mac's.

P.S. My younger son did a one or two week canoe trip in Manitoba with the Boy Scouts several years ago. On the water for an extended period with only the float plane flying over to check on the group. He is 40 now, so I mean SEVERAL years ago.

[kmclemore]

Welcome, indeed... glad to have you join us! Yes, the Mac is a unique boat, capable of so much more than your usual sailboat. I've towed kids on skis and tubes, sailed, rushed in to avoid foul weather and lived on the boat for weeks at a time. It's not the perfect boat - it doesn't do all those things perfectly - but like a good woman, the more talents and surprises she has, the more you value her.

[Be Free]

Paul,
Welcome to the group. We look forward to following your journey as you find the right boat for your family. This is a friendly place and we love talking about our boats so ask us about anything.

[PaulsPaddle]

Welcome Paul.

Ask questions without fear; we are friendly and openly opinionated about our Mac's.

P.S. My younger son did a one or two week canoe trip in Manitoba with the Boy Scouts several years ago. On the water for an extended period with only the float plane flying over to check on the group. He is 40 now, so I mean SEVERAL years ago.

Thanks.

Wow, that's a long road trip for a Boy Scouts group. There is alot of remote wilderness to explore here.

[PaulsPaddle]

Welcome, indeed... glad to have you join us! Yes, the Mac is a unique boat, capable of so much more than your usual sailboat. I've towed kids on skis and tubes, sailed, rushed in to avoid foul weather and lived on the boat for weeks at a time. It's not the perfect boat - it doesn't do all those things perfectly - but like a good woman, the more talents and surprises she has, the more you value her.

Thanks. You bring up a good point....yes the woman comment, but more so the boat....(I'm focused)

I've gone down this rabbit hole fast and hard. Now reading about the 19 I'm considering selling my Hobie and replacing it with a 19'. The Hobie is a ton of fun in wild weather and is highly portable which makes it great for camping. Its a wet boat and that has its drawbacks when its on the shoulder month when your gear gets cold.

Do you think a 50hp could pull up a wake boarder or tuber with three people in the boat? My 'guess' is top speed would be under 20mph which would be on the verge of too slow.

Don't get me wrong, I get this boat does both powering and sailing well, but there are compromises.

[NiceAft]

or with a 50hp won’t get to 20mph. More like 14with three people and a full ballast. Pulling a wakeboarder, even less.

There are some here who do motor at times without a full ballast; I am not one of them.

[Jimmyt]

I've gone down this rabbit hole fast and hard. Now reading about the 19 I'm considering selling my Hobie and replacing it with a 19'. The Hobie is a ton of fun in wild weather and is highly portable which makes it great for camping. Its a wet boat and that has its drawbacks when its on the shoulder month when your gear gets cold.

Do you think a 50hp could pull up a wake boarder or tuber with three people in the boat? My 'guess' is top speed would be under 20mph which would be on the verge of too slow.

Don't get me wrong, I get this boat does both powering and sailing well, but there are compromises.

Welcome to the forum! Happy boat hunting!

To be clear, which boat are you considering? Looks like you are considering the 19 with a 50hp above - which is different from a 26X or 26M with a 50hp.

[PaulsPaddle]

I've gone down this rabbit hole fast and hard. Now reading about the 19 I'm considering selling my Hobie and replacing it with a 19'. The Hobie is a ton of fun in wild weather and is highly portable which makes it great for camping. Its a wet boat and that has its drawbacks when its on the shoulder month when your gear gets cold.

Do you think a 50hp could pull up a wake boarder or tuber with three people in the boat? My 'guess' is top speed would be under 20mph which would be on the verge of too slow.

Don't get me wrong, I get this boat does both powering and sailing well, but there are compromises.

Welcome to the forum! Happy boat hunting!

To be clear, which boat are you considering? Looks like you are considering the 19 with a 50hp above - which is different from a 26X or 26M with a 50hp.

Yes, a 19'. I would love a bigger boat, but if this fits behind my 5th wheel its a clear and easy choice.

[Jimmyt]

Reportedly, the 19 will do 20mph with a 40hp and no ballast. I can neither confirm or refute this claim.

[dlandersson]

Ummm... Pizza?

[NiceAft]

Paul,

When you say

Yes, a 19'. I would love a bigger boat, but if this fits behind my 5th wheel its a clear and easy choice.

Are you towing with a pick up truck with a 5th wheel in the flat bed? If so, why the concern about fitting behind it? If not, can you post a photo of your tow vehicle?

[PaulsPaddle]

Paul,

When you say

Yes, a 19'. I would love a bigger boat, but if this fits behind my 5th wheel its a clear and easy choice.

Are you towing with a pick up truck with a 5th wheel in the flat bed? If so, why the concern about fitting behind it? If not, can you post a photo of your tow vehicle?

Yes, I have 2015 Ford F250 Powerstroke with a 30' 5th wheel. (I'd have to figure out how to post a pic from my phone) We are allowed to total length of 75' 5 1/2". A 26 X or M would put me over that length, but a 19' might keep me just under that length.

[Russ]

That's a long rig. I don't know how folks pull all those toys.

"Might" keep you under is the operative word.

I don't know the length of the 19 with trailer and motor. It could be too long as well.

[PaulsPaddle]

That's a long rig. I don't know how folks pull all those toys.

"Might" keep you under is the operative word.

I don't know the length of the 19 with trailer and motor. It could be too long as well.

I don't disagree with you. Ridiculous!

To my defence I'm in my 50's and in my 20-early 30's I drove semi all over North America (now I'm a contractor) and literally have over a million miles with no accidents under my belt.

I believe I have 21-ish' from tonge to tail to spare.