Is A MacGregor the right boat for me?

[MactheKnight]

Thanks for the insights and links. I need to study these topics thoroughly, that's clear.

I'll be checking the Mac next monday again.

Added some pics I took earlier:

[Seth08321]

Thanks for the long reply, I am slowly moving in that direction, you make great points, thanks again.

Hi!

One suggestion we can give is to follow your dream.
Don’t over think it.
A Mac26X Mac26M Mac26S Mac25….are all suitable boats for your area.
Go for it!!!

They all have water ballast, removable keels, shallow draft, outboard engines, usable cabins and space for a head.
(I don’t know about others but having a portapotty is REALLY nice option when you really need one… whether out on the water or at the boat ramp. Beats some of the alternatives and a lot of other sailboats don’t give you the option to begin with

Time is a one way commodity…. Don’t waste it …. Get out on the water!
Get a good GPS chart plotter and depth sonar ENSURING you get the detail charts for your area from the get go.
It will provide you with just about all the navigational information you’ll need to have a great time on the water and stay away from known hazards. The Active Track function allows you to keep track of where you started, where you are and how to get back to where you started.
(Kind of nice feature when you think about it.) It also gives you a pretty good idea of exactly where the channels, rocks, wrecks, pilings etc are so you can avoid them with minimal stress.

Yeah the Delaware Bay is wide and long. Lots of room to have a wonderful time on.
Yes there are tides and currents but nothing to fret over if you plan for it and stay aware.
Yes there can be weather but you smart phone has the ability to get a good weather app to give you real time updating weather and tracking radar anytime you want it. Just avoid going out when the weather doesn’t look good. (It’s no fun getting battered and soaked anyway). The Delaware Bay also provides the opportunities for long uninterrupted tacks. There’s generally more than enough wind to sail. Having an engine option gives you the opportunity to sail out and motor back or viceversa. Calm days ashore can often have good breezes offshore. It’s always cooler on the water so don’t let the summer shoreside heat put you off… get out and enjoy!

Go for it!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

[Russ]

The boat and trailer look clean.

The mast crutch is missing. It's an arch of stainless tubing that the mast rests on when down. You can see in the motor well where it was once attached. I wonder what the story is for removing it. Hard to tell from the pictures where the mast is resting on now. I see 2 fenders.

The rudders do not look like the original factory. Perhaps upgraded.

[OverEasy]

Hi Russ

The mast crutch is missing. It's an arch of stainless tubing that the mast rests on when down. You can see in the motor well where it was once attached. I wonder what the story is for removing it. Hard to tell from the pictures where the mast is resting on now. I see 2 fenders.

Seems that the mast is resting on a piece of some type of yellowish foam board panel.



As to why …..?

Best Regards
Over Easy

[Russ]

Seems that the mast is resting on a piece of some type of yellowish foam board panel.



As to why …..?

Best Regards
Over Easy

Ahh! Good observation.

Perhaps the original mast arch was damaged/removed and that board was made to replace its function. Or maybe it was to lower the vertical clearance so it would fit in covered storage.

Also, the stern pulpit(s) do not appear to have seats. I've never seen a pulpit like this without the seats (which are awesome).

The color appears to be black or very dark blue which is not stock, therefore I would seem it was painted. Again, why? Was it for aesthetics or was there some damage?

[MactheKnight]

Thanks: good observations indeed: about the pulpits: these are the EU versions - they need to be secured in three places. But no option for seats I think.

Also EU boats have two bilge pumps standard - an electric and a handpump and also the decoupler for the steering of the outboard.

The mast carrying system is replaced by a large foam part. It has no roller.

I checked the rudders - the ad says the rudders and dagger were replaced recently (why?) - these rudders look like the upgrades from BWY

https://shop.bwyachts.com/product-p/5101-1m4.htm



The pins to lock the rudders in the upright position are not in place.

Paint is a very dark blue. Looks nice but has some scratches when you examin closely.

Underside was also repainted. Could be it ran aground hard and was patched up for sale?(worst case scenario)

Also the rubber band around the boat is damaged in some places and can be easily lifted.

There's also a perforation on the outside of the cabin.

I wonder why they replaced some expensive parts recently, painted the underside etc but didn't clean the boat to make it look really nice.

Here's a link to the 'glossy' ad:

https://www.wehmeyer.nl/en/sailyachts-o ... regor-26m/

Price was recently lowered by €6000. Still €23.000 is not very cheap but reasonable compared to some Mac's for sale in the UK.

On my side of the channel it's the only one for sale so I can't compare

Some close ups op the nasty stuff - maybe its normal wear & tear - I don't know..

[Russ]

Interesting.

It seems like you have few choices where you are located.

The interior looks very clean and close to factory original.

From the one picture, it seems like the hull was blue and was painted. Again, why? To be honest, the blue hull is difficult to keep looking nice. The gelcoat always oxidizes and turns dull. Maybe the owner wanted a better surface to keep looking nice. I like the color.

Most of your photos are general wear. The rubrail has some wear, that hole in the cabin can be easily patched.

What has me concerned is the bottom. Is that bottom antifouling paint?

Overall, it looks like a boat of its age.

[OverEasy]

Hi Russ!

You seem to have hit the mark.
I’m not an expert but it does seem to be somewhat normal wear and tear.
Rub rails do what their name implies…they take the rub
Note : We also replaced the rub rail and cleaned, epoxy primed and bottom painted our boat the year after we purchased Over Easy.

Looks like if that’s bottom paint it’s been well aged…..

Your right the divot in the cabin top is easily fixed and touched up.

=>> Only thing I’d suggest it a close look at the bottom below the water line in as much as is possible while it’s in the trailer.
=>> How’s the dagger board?

Best Regards
Over Easy

[MactheKnight]

They claim the dagger was also replaced when the rudders were replaced. They'll probably have an invoice to prove it. Will see monday.

Is there a way to check the dagger when its on a trailer? I presume not...

Main thing I can check monday are the bilges - try to see if there's mould, or even water there. And check around the sleeve of the dagger for damage. I presume that's where damage would be if it ran aground hard with the dagger out?

Do the welds of the pivots of the rudders look normal to you?

[Russ]

The ONLY way to properly inspect the dagger is with the mast off. It is directly below the mast and can be pulled out from the mast step.

Water in bilges is very common with these boats. There are many bolts and screws in the deck where water can enter. It's not a deal breaker.

The dagger sleeve/trunk is probably the strongest place on these boats. It is surrounded by resin and is unlikely to be a problem. With that said, inspect it anyway. The dagger is thin and sacrificial. It is meant to break off before damage to the dagger sleeve/trunk can occur.

I assume the bottom is light blue antifouling paint. The white below the waterline is something I've never seen. Is it salt? It appears to be covering everything that has been submerged. I'm not familiar with this kind of bottom fouling.

[MactheKnight]

The mast is down so I should be able to check the board.

Something else: found an Austrailian Imexus owner (already his second boat) and he also knows Macs quite well. He says its a huge step up from a Mac. Told him there are no second hand boats nearby except in GB and Greece. He said he had to travel further to collect his boat in Australia and its worthwhile the effort. Moneywise the boat in Greece seems to be a bargain. Reseller is charter company. They claim the condition is like new.

This is the ad: https://www.yachtall.com/en/boat/imexus-28-s202214

https://www.seafarer.gr/yachtcharter/im ... 007-built/

I love the specs. Not the distance...

[Seth08321]

question for the group from looking at these pictures it seems the 26 m has a lot more windows vs a 26 S, is that correct? And I was complaining that were not that many 26 s around me , but after reading how far you have to travel for a boat I think I will rethink that

[NiceAft]

question for the group from looking at these pictures it seems the 26 m has a lot more windows vs a 26 S, is that correct? And I was complaining that were not that many 26 s around me , but after reading how far you have to travel for a boat I think I will rethink that

My 2005m has four windows. In addition, I installed two opening ports, one port, one starboard. They are located about even with the companion way steps.

You can see one clearly in this photo.







Because of the second raccoon strip, it may appear an has more windows.


I feel compelled to add this.

Functionally, the X & M are the same boat. The performance differences are not worth going into. The difference I see is cosmetic.

X owners seem to prefer their boat because of the open interior and both the location and size of the head. I found that interior to be too stark. I wanted something more resembling a salon. My 2005 M is finished nicer. I have read complaints about the cheap looking wood around the port and starboard windows. I like them. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I have seen an X where the captain has removed the raccoon stripe from their X because he did not like the raccoon stripe; I think that was a terrible mistake, but, to each his own.

[MactheKnight]

Hi all,

Been inside the Mac today.
Interior looks completely stock - the only additions are a badly installed and horribly wired charger, a second battery (sitting in water and not disconnected and thus completely flat) and three extra lights - also horribly wired.

Rest looks almost new except for water coming in on starboard side - I think it enters via the MacGregor badge on the outside. It collects under the stair (front of the sleeping area) and runs down into the bilge that holds the batteries.

The other bilges are mostly dry. Just a few drops of water in the deepest points.

Also starboard - in the bilge under the porta-potti there's some polyester matting that looks weird - very little resin. Could this be a repair?

There's also mould on the carpet against the side (wall /starboard).

Under the seat next to the galley there's a big crack - pure cosmetics I think.

Carpets, cushions etc look like new. Sails also look new.

Other weird stuff is white foam that's stuffed in the openings left and right from the engine.

Could not check the dagger - the mast sits on the roof and I couldn't move it.

I found a package with new parts from BWY (dating from 2022) and now I have the name and address of the owner - I will reach out to him later.

My impression is that this boat was used very little - lots of new parts but 'poorly used' would be the best description It needs a lot of TLC.

It's the first time I was aboard a Mac and though its considered roomy for its size, I still feel a bit claustrofobic inside - I'm a tall person 1,89m (6,2 feet) so maybe its not the right boat for me? Would love to check the inside of the Imexus to see if it feels roomier.

Some pics below:

[Russ]

All that you found seems typical. I assume you have few options in your area.

It will need some cleaning, but nothing unexpected.

The Imexus is probably a better built boat. But you can also expect much more in price.

It's a small boat. It's a trailerable boat. Ther are few boats with this much room in this class.