Have you ever had the itch to sell your 26M/X and buy a "true" sailboat?

[Outlander]

Every time I get on my boat and look at my neighbors slightly larger "real" boat.

Then I think of how Rodger kept the costs down which includes keeping the maint. costs down, and wonder why my neighbors boat is for sale.
Very possible they can not afford to change/fix the motor, they probably can not even afford the haul out including the crane to get the mast off, so it sits rotting with no one willing to pay the $ to get it going again.
Or pay someone to tow to a fuel dock to pump out the bad fuel and replace with usable fuel, we just carry our 6 gallon tanks with us.

For us in the same situations, we just trailer it, go to someone dealing in used outboards, swap them out and we are off again.
Then again, If I get tired of my lake, then only costs I have is switching the slip fees from old marina to new.

Ya, I admire the "real" boats, but mine gets actually used 10x more than the "real" ones because I can afford it.

Yes, this is the reality check I needed once I began looking into keel/SK boats for sale in my area. Most have been sitting for sale for long periods, some even sitting absurdly high on their rusted out trailers with 4' keels...I can't stomach the thought of towing one of those to a different location, mechanics, etc. My Mac has cost me very little in the last four years, which left money for new sails, accessories, etc. It's one of those "don't know what you've got till' it's gone" scenarios. Glad I posted!

[LordElsinore]

Nah. I mostly just envy those of you with bigger HP than my 60. (Looking at you guys with 70s and 90s!)

..and of course envious of some of the cool mods that folks like BOAT have done over the years (sad to see it go!)...and the insane things Highlander does on his boat...and that fact that some of you actually get your wives to want to go sailing with you...or those of you with slips...the list goes on.

Some of those are remedied pretty easily though

[kurz]

Funny you asked that - I am going to sell "BOAT". Kinda sad to say.

Sad to hear!

Want to say that I am so happy I could copy your AP mod.
I still use the ev100 AP with the Tiller motor below deck.
works perfect for me.
thanks for sharing!

[dlandersson]

Nah. I mostly just envy those of you with bigger HP than my 60. (Looking at you guys with 70s and 90s!)

[JotaErre]

We have to accept that Macs are a trade-off. I don't want to own a boat that I cannot sail single-handed. And 8 metres (26 feet) is the maximum size of a boat I feel able to sail alone, so this rules out boats larger than my .

Sometimes, I see smaller boats sailing faster than my Mac, or with a better upwind performance... but, in my home port, 50% of the days there is very little wind, so I can motor around while they have to stay in the marina. So no, in my present circumstances, I wouldn't change the Mac for a "proper" sailboat.

[45Plus+]

Outlander - I see you've got "Calgary" as your location. I'm not sure if that's where you have your boat but if it is, I can see how your mind might drift to one of those Prairie Schooners.

[Gazmn]

That's a Good, Honest, open question; To which, my answer is NO.

This boat just works for me and in my waters. It sits in my driveway in offseason, free. I work on it from top to bottom, back to front, right there. And Most Importantly: It's Paid For !

[Outlander]

Outlander - I see you've got "Calgary" as your location. I'm not sure if that's where you have your boat but if it is, I can see how your mind might drift to one of those Prairie Schooners.

Good one! Yes, very limited for lakes in southern Alberta, that diagram looks intriguing Lol.

[Outlander]

And Most Importantly: It's Paid For !

Yes! Mine too, which is a huge factor. This thread, and my own reality check, has actually made me appreciate my boat even more. I'm currently looking around for a sailboat between 12-16' that I can sail in a reservoir very close to home; in which I can hone my sailing skills and get out on the water more during the week. And, it's a very inexpensive option.

[NiceAft]

Outlander,

I don’t know if you can find one, but a Phantom has done for me, what you are looking for. I know I previously posted about the Phantom, but your last post focused on a need for your wife.
I purchased mine brand new in 1979. Paid $700 for it. Still have, and still love it. It weighs 100 lbs. I tie it to the roof of our car. In 1979 I had a 1976 VW Rabbit. Having tied to the roof, it looked liked an awning.

Me, 1979 (Young Man)


Me, approximately 2020 (Old Man)




https://sailingforums.com/threads/diffe ... 434/?amp=1

[duganderson]

Do I ever ponder the idea of a different boat despite my 20 year ownership of my '98 26X? Yes, I do ponder it. Not a "regular" keel sailboat, though. My wife and I have logged over 32,000 miles with our travel trailer. Our temptation is to have a small houseboat to cruise on Florida waters. Or, to avoid fulltime slip fees (which are not that unaffordable for us) , but to simplify upkeep and have more trailerable flexibility (I am nearing my 80th birthday), I do think about the 17-ft catboats with swing keels. I think Compacc makes them. I don't miss the performance of keel sailboats. I enjoyed my 18-ft Hobie with Magnum wings and trapezes for 8 years, and our 13-ft Hobie Wave for another 8 years. So, the thrill of maximum sailing performance and speed on the water has taken its place in our fondest memories. Now, having lived a long life filled with its own stressors (Vietnam service, 34 years in the Navy/Naval Reserve, 35 years providing mental healthcare predominately to trauma patients), just getting out on the lake in our boat is a dream fulfilled. If weather and energy allows for setting the sails and taking a few tacks around the lake, all the better. But, as a veteran of one Newport Bermuda race and regular racing in the Chesapeake in my distant youth, I can understand that such sailing might still be in one's blood. Good luck with your pondering. If my experience is representative of old sailors, there will come a time when a broad reach in a 10 knot breeze in any kind of a sailboat at whatever speed will feel like heaven itself.

This is an EXCEPTIONAL post and was very helpful.

Also, thank you for your military service to our country. I sincerely appreciate you and all those that served.

Sincerely, Doug

[Phil M]

I sold my 26M about 6 years ago. It was great and served us well. My son and his wife would join for a week vacation. Unfortunately 2 grandchildren later the boat was too small. They enjoyed the so much that they decided to purchase their own much larger sailboat. They are now onto their third sailboat and a permanent slip on the coast.
Looking back we all realize that we had as many fond memories on our as we do on a much larger sailboat. We can reminisce like old salty dogs.
Although I haven't been on this forum since I've sold my , This forum was an absolute wealth of information too. There is nothing like forum this with other sailboats.

Phil M

[Gotro]

As a long time Hobiecat sailor with the love of sailing fast it is an adjustment to a slow mono hull like my X That said most all non cats sailboats are slow. What I wanted was a sailing vessel I could camp in , pull up to the shore, motor around when there is no wind. I remember the 1 st year I saw the new Macx show up at our sailboat show in Houston I loved it now I own one and it does more than a (true sailboat). Yes it’s not as fast as some other monohull sailing vessels , they all are not created equal. Some are faster than other. It’s just in my opinion best all around sailing vessel for fun at a reasonable price.

[dustoff]

Funny you asked that - I am going to sell "BOAT". Kinda sad to say.

Did BOAT sell his 26M and leave the forum?

[kmclemore]

Funny you asked that - I am going to sell "BOAT". Kinda sad to say.

Did BOAT sell his 26M and leave the forum?

That was his last post, so I take him at his statement, and assume it happened. He has not posted on the forum since then, but he has stopped in to visit the forum, as late as Apr 21, 2025.