26M review by Cruising Helman

[gescriva]

I dont know if you have read the 26M review by australian mag Cruising Helman in Feb2004. Its the first review I have found in a magazine other that the one I have read in Spain last Fall.

Cheers from Madrid, Spain.

[gescriva]

You can find it in http://www.macgregorexport.com homepage...

[Tom Root]

Nice article....so, I did a search, and found out, that the asking price is $58,980.00 AUD, which equates to $44,108.96 USD. I can see it now, the heck with Hawaii, someone's gonna get the hairbrain idea to sail an "M" to Australia, sell it, and make 14 grand or so.....NOPE, still not worth it!

Oh, I forgot, it won't have the C.E. certification...Oh well, scratch that idea!

[Tom Root]

Phil,

Well good for you! Hey, I'll do a time share trade with ya! Seriously, me and my bride to be have the Great Barrier reef in mind, for our honeymoon. I've been to OZ twice , you have a great country, for sure!
Go ahead and register here, and we can discuss it if you are interested. I was intending on renting a Caravan for a month possibly, could you be without your boat for a week or two? You can stay here at my house, and sail the San Diego coastline if ya like? Just a thought! Especially, if you are near Cairns!!!!!

Now, as far as you saving money, I was truly joking.....that's why I winked. There are prep items, transportation, duty, import fees, etc. that raise the price considerably, and all those associated fees would be the reason for the added expense. And of course, the warranty! I really only meant it as a joke!...The... remember?

If only Roger could be convinced to open a manufacturing plant in OZ! Your country/continent, has the record of more coastline than any one on this earth....for sure!

[Phil Marriott]

Hey Tom,
all registered - but the boat delay might upset your bride to be. We'll be moving to Brisbane next year, and will have the 26M by then - it's a day's drive to tow it up to the Great Barrier Reef (or at least the coastline) and then a short motor across. It's going to be one of my first trips! So if you and your better half can wait a while, we'll be set up for the swap. You'll have to get used to driving on the right (correct) side of the road, though!

Re the time share trade - that's a great idea. I spoke with the local distributor today - apparently there's a MacGregor trip to the Whitsundays on September 15 this year - they make an annual pilgramage - about 20 boats go. I'll be going next year - my wife's due with our second child on the 12th of Sept, so I won't be going anywhere this year!!!

cheers
Phil.

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

Phil - I'm guessing that part of the high cost of a 26M in OZ is because it would be a new boat. But, if you got a slightly "used" boat, the import fees would not be as high.
If that is the case, contact me. I might have some ideas.
[email protected]
Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL

[Phil Marriott]

Dear Phil in Australia. Buy a one way ticket to USA and sail the Mac home. If you need crew, advertise in Sail mag. You can be the tesst. Is a macgregor capable of crossing the ocean?? good luck

Dear Sinbad,
Try reading "Voyage for Madmen" - the true story of a single-handed race around the world. Have a look at the yacht that won - and the lightweight cruising yachts that thought they could make it. I'm adventurous, but not foolish. And I don't know that I'd want to spend that long at sea - but for anyone wanting a good read, it's certainly a challenging race.

Here's another:

http://www.dixdesign.com/steward.htm

This chap was pretty brave - shipwrecked, and still continued with the voyage!
cheers
Phil.