I think this is a photo of one of our members' boat.
https://greatlakesbikeskiboat.com/the-1 ... -ever-sold
No respect for the Mac
-
Russ
- Admiral
- Posts: 8329
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
No respect for the Mac
This author is throwing shade on the Mac. Cites one fatality from an overloaded, unballasted drunk captain as proof these boats are not safe. Tens of thousands of happy Mac owners disagree.
I think this is a photo of one of our members' boat.
https://greatlakesbikeskiboat.com/the-1 ... -ever-sold
I think this is a photo of one of our members' boat.
https://greatlakesbikeskiboat.com/the-1 ... -ever-sold
--Russ
-
kmclemore
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6263
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Suzuki DF60AV -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc
Re: No respect for the Mac
Something I posted a while back, in response to another such clown, regarding Mac safety and value.
=============================
- sails at up to 9 knots (I’ve personally done it with mine)
- motors up to 20 mph (ditto)
- powersails (motor + sails) easily at 15 mph with amazing mpg (motor quietly running barely off idle)
- can tow your kids on tubes or skis
- able to navigate waters as shallow as 10” (yes, INCHES)
- boat’s speed gets you out of dangerous weather conditions 5x faster than comparable sailboats
- boat’s speed allows you to stay out sailing later than every other sailboat and still get back in time for drinks at the marina
- can drop the mast in under 15 minutes to pass under bridges if needed
- can be pulled out and easily trailered anywhere with any vehicle that can tow 3500 lbs.
- sleeps 6 easily
- 6’ headroom
- private head w/ sink
- galley with full headroom
- cannot founder because of the amount of flotation built into the boat (like a Boston Whaler)
- extremely low maintenance (no wood brightwork, unless you want to add it)
- among the safest boats ever made, with over 20,000 made, and only 2 (TWO) known to have had fatalities in over 40 years, both of which involved gross errors on the part of the captain and intoxication.
- 50x safer than driving a Volvo. In Sweden, on average, 2.5 people die in Volvos annually. Averaging the data from over 40 years of MacGregor boat sales, only 0.05 have died in a Mac per year.
- most friendly and helpful owners group of all the boating communities on the ‘net. (Macgregorsailors.com)
- MORE MAC 26’s HAVE BEEN SOLD AND ENJOYED THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE BOAT ON THE PLANET. *EVER*
Tell me again how terrible it is. But first prove that you sailed one.
=============================
- sails at up to 9 knots (I’ve personally done it with mine)
- motors up to 20 mph (ditto)
- powersails (motor + sails) easily at 15 mph with amazing mpg (motor quietly running barely off idle)
- can tow your kids on tubes or skis
- able to navigate waters as shallow as 10” (yes, INCHES)
- boat’s speed gets you out of dangerous weather conditions 5x faster than comparable sailboats
- boat’s speed allows you to stay out sailing later than every other sailboat and still get back in time for drinks at the marina
- can drop the mast in under 15 minutes to pass under bridges if needed
- can be pulled out and easily trailered anywhere with any vehicle that can tow 3500 lbs.
- sleeps 6 easily
- 6’ headroom
- private head w/ sink
- galley with full headroom
- cannot founder because of the amount of flotation built into the boat (like a Boston Whaler)
- extremely low maintenance (no wood brightwork, unless you want to add it)
- among the safest boats ever made, with over 20,000 made, and only 2 (TWO) known to have had fatalities in over 40 years, both of which involved gross errors on the part of the captain and intoxication.
- 50x safer than driving a Volvo. In Sweden, on average, 2.5 people die in Volvos annually. Averaging the data from over 40 years of MacGregor boat sales, only 0.05 have died in a Mac per year.
- most friendly and helpful owners group of all the boating communities on the ‘net. (Macgregorsailors.com)
- MORE MAC 26’s HAVE BEEN SOLD AND ENJOYED THAN ANY OTHER SINGLE BOAT ON THE PLANET. *EVER*
Tell me again how terrible it is. But first prove that you sailed one.
- Kevin McLemore, Mac Site Admin
-
Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1910
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: No respect for the Mac
That's Erik and Knot Shore unless I'm very much mistaken.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
-
kmclemore
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6263
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Suzuki DF60AV -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc
Re: No respect for the Mac
There's also this, which I posted a while back...
OK, let’s let the buying public decide…
A new 1998 Catalina 26 sailboat would have originally cost between $30,000 and $40,000, according to Seattle Yachts. A used 1998 Catalina 26 typically ranges in price from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on condition, location, and features. Essentially, a used Catalina is now worth, to your average boat buyer, about 25-30% of what you paid for it new.
A new 1998 MacGregor 26X would likely have cost around $20,000 to $25,000 USD when it was originally sold. Today, used 1998 MacGregor 26X models are typically priced between $10,000 and $18,000, depending on condition and included features. So, your used Macgregor is still worth about 50-72% of what you paid for it new, and you got to enjoy it for 27 years.
Which boat was the better deal, in the eyes of the boat buying consumers? The reality is more consumers who buy boats, prefer the Mac over nearly every other brand of boat, as proven by the fact that Macs consistently have had the highest resale percentage of any other comparable vessel.
Facts and data, folks, facts and data.
OK, let’s let the buying public decide…
A new 1998 Catalina 26 sailboat would have originally cost between $30,000 and $40,000, according to Seattle Yachts. A used 1998 Catalina 26 typically ranges in price from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on condition, location, and features. Essentially, a used Catalina is now worth, to your average boat buyer, about 25-30% of what you paid for it new.
A new 1998 MacGregor 26X would likely have cost around $20,000 to $25,000 USD when it was originally sold. Today, used 1998 MacGregor 26X models are typically priced between $10,000 and $18,000, depending on condition and included features. So, your used Macgregor is still worth about 50-72% of what you paid for it new, and you got to enjoy it for 27 years.
Which boat was the better deal, in the eyes of the boat buying consumers? The reality is more consumers who buy boats, prefer the Mac over nearly every other brand of boat, as proven by the fact that Macs consistently have had the highest resale percentage of any other comparable vessel.
Facts and data, folks, facts and data.
- Kevin McLemore, Mac Site Admin
-
kmclemore
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6263
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Suzuki DF60AV -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc
Re: No respect for the Mac
I couldn't resist. I left a comment against the article. I welcome others to do the same.
- Kevin McLemore, Mac Site Admin
-
kurz
- Admiral
- Posts: 1307
- Joined: Mon Dec 06, 2010 9:07 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Zürich, Switzerland, Europe
Re: No respect for the Mac
Well, all are right in a way... .
A
and 
are in a way more complicate to handle than a Motorboat or a keel sailor.
You have to Check that Ballast Tank is full. All Boards up or down... Etc.
There are many Motor boats being better Motor boats.
Many keel boats sail better. A keel bulb deep down helps of course.
But for me I never regret to have a
Thats IT.
A
and are in a way more complicate to handle than a Motorboat or a keel sailor.You have to Check that Ballast Tank is full. All Boards up or down... Etc.
There are many Motor boats being better Motor boats.
Many keel boats sail better. A keel bulb deep down helps of course.
But for me I never regret to have a
Thats IT.
Last edited by kurz on Sat Oct 04, 2025 12:10 pm, edited 1 time in total.
-
dlandersson
- Admiral
- Posts: 4960
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
Re: No respect for the Mac
At first glance I thought it might be me - but I'm in SW Michigan (Michigan City).
90% of my boating this summer has been taking my son and his friends out tubing - they seem to have a good time
Left a comment on the (mom and dad) web site.
90% of my boating this summer has been taking my son and his friends out tubing - they seem to have a good time
Left a comment on the (mom and dad) web site.
-
Russ
- Admiral
- Posts: 8329
- Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi
Re: No respect for the Mac
BTW, I learned to sail on a Snark. Yes, it's just a piece of molded styrofoam, but it was so much fun.
It was my Dad's first boat. He loaded the entire family and dog onto that thing and took us out on the lake.
Later, I would load it on top of my car and take it camping and sailing. I wish I still had one.
That's Erik and his Knot Shore 26X in the photo he lifted from SA. He has upgraded to a larger boat and still has the same spirit. His legacy on this forum will last forever.
Check out his Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@SailingKnotShore
It was my Dad's first boat. He loaded the entire family and dog onto that thing and took us out on the lake.
Later, I would load it on top of my car and take it camping and sailing. I wish I still had one.
That's Erik and his Knot Shore 26X in the photo he lifted from SA. He has upgraded to a larger boat and still has the same spirit. His legacy on this forum will last forever.
Check out his Youtube channel.
https://www.youtube.com/@SailingKnotShore
--Russ
-
OverEasy
- Admiral
- Posts: 2915
- Joined: Mon Sep 28, 2020 11:16 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: NH & SC
Re: No respect for the Mac
Hmmm…..
Just from personal experience I’ve found three fixed keel boats on their sides after they ran aground on shoals and remained there as the tide ran out and they later flooded when the tide came back in so there’s that very expensive black mark against fixed keel boats…
Then there we’re the two ‘trailerable’ fixed keel boats that fell off their trailers on the highway as the center of gravity was too high because they didn’t empty all their stuff out of the boat before trailering down the highways….
Then there are the several acquaintances with fixed keel boats who’s seldom ever launch their boats for the expense involved in getting a marina sling crane to lift off its stands and into the water and back…
There are several additional acquaintances with fixed keel boats on trailers who are terrified of trailering/launching/retrieving who consistently pay professionals to do it for them… otherwise it just stays in their backyard or storage yard…..
Now about those three powerboats that we ‘rescued’ out on the open water over the years for various reasons… like running out of fuel…hitting rocks…leaving the drain plug out…
Or the multiple instances of powerboats being involved in on water in-boat occupant deaths, crashes, accidents, injuries in our local waters and that doesn’t include tubing or water skiing.
Now if one adds intoxication to the mix everything only gets worse…
The MacGregors sail as well as any boat and motor as well as any boat.. it come back to the operator.
A MacGregor was designed to be and is an enjoyable capable boat for leisure use in moderate conditions for moderately familiar operators, not drunken morons.
Any fool can have an uninformed opinion without merit as is the case for the article mentioned.
There are a lot of stupid people without relevant personal capability or credibility who have some pretty moronic opinions.
There are also a lot of stupid folks who couldn’t be bothered to care about actual facts or objective evidence.
Unfortunately they can spout their nonsenses as they are apt to do without being held accountable as is the case with this referenced article. It is what it is.
There’s a lot to like about a MacGregor. It’s pretty damn good at what it does.
It’s okay if it’s not for everyone or all desires.
Every boat is a compromise in its design to meet the desired objective.
A MacGregor tends to be just perfect for a whole lot of people though!
Best Regards,
Over Easy
Just from personal experience I’ve found three fixed keel boats on their sides after they ran aground on shoals and remained there as the tide ran out and they later flooded when the tide came back in so there’s that very expensive black mark against fixed keel boats…
Then there we’re the two ‘trailerable’ fixed keel boats that fell off their trailers on the highway as the center of gravity was too high because they didn’t empty all their stuff out of the boat before trailering down the highways….
Then there are the several acquaintances with fixed keel boats who’s seldom ever launch their boats for the expense involved in getting a marina sling crane to lift off its stands and into the water and back…
There are several additional acquaintances with fixed keel boats on trailers who are terrified of trailering/launching/retrieving who consistently pay professionals to do it for them… otherwise it just stays in their backyard or storage yard…..
Now about those three powerboats that we ‘rescued’ out on the open water over the years for various reasons… like running out of fuel…hitting rocks…leaving the drain plug out…
Or the multiple instances of powerboats being involved in on water in-boat occupant deaths, crashes, accidents, injuries in our local waters and that doesn’t include tubing or water skiing.
Now if one adds intoxication to the mix everything only gets worse…
The MacGregors sail as well as any boat and motor as well as any boat.. it come back to the operator.
A MacGregor was designed to be and is an enjoyable capable boat for leisure use in moderate conditions for moderately familiar operators, not drunken morons.
Any fool can have an uninformed opinion without merit as is the case for the article mentioned.
There are a lot of stupid people without relevant personal capability or credibility who have some pretty moronic opinions.
There are also a lot of stupid folks who couldn’t be bothered to care about actual facts or objective evidence.
Unfortunately they can spout their nonsenses as they are apt to do without being held accountable as is the case with this referenced article. It is what it is.
There’s a lot to like about a MacGregor. It’s pretty damn good at what it does.
It’s okay if it’s not for everyone or all desires.
Every boat is a compromise in its design to meet the desired objective.
A MacGregor tends to be just perfect for a whole lot of people though!
Best Regards,
Over Easy
-
Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1910
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: No respect for the Mac
I'm with you 100% except for one paragraph...
That said, it is not even close to the worst-sailing boat I've owned but it is also far from the best. While I would not dispute that the skill of the skipper counts for a lot, my least experienced child skippering my previous boat literally sailed circles around me while I was sailing the Mac.
As a motor boat I'd rate it a bit above average compared to others I've had.
What I will say, without reservation, is that the Macgregor is by far the best-sailing motorboat and the best-motoring sailboat that I've ever seen. I don't think I've been in in the position of owning only one boat since before I could drive a car, but if I had to cut back to just one boat it would be the Macgregor. It is the best all-around boat I've ever owned bar none.
The thing that makes the Mac great is that it is good at so many things and bad at so few.
While it may well have been designed for leisure use in moderate conditions for moderately familiar operators, in my experience it has performed admirably regardless of the conditions I've exposed it to. I would strongly advise against trying to sail a Mac under a small craft advisory (I've done it and it is not pleasant) but that is mostly due to the fragility of the rudders under those conditions. Under power or hove-to I have been no more concerned in my Mac in those conditions than I would be in any other similarly-sized boat. I have no doubt that in even worse conditions I would have given up long before the boat did.
As much as I love my MacGregor, and I've had it longer than I've owned any other boat, it does not "sail as well as any boat" nor does it "motor as well as any boat."OverEasy wrote: ↑Sun Oct 05, 2025 10:29 am ...
The MacGregors sail as well as any boat and motor as well as any boat.. it come back to the operator.
A MacGregor was designed to be and is an enjoyable capable boat for leisure use in moderate conditions for moderately familiar operators, not drunken morons.
...
Best Regards,
Over Easy
That said, it is not even close to the worst-sailing boat I've owned but it is also far from the best. While I would not dispute that the skill of the skipper counts for a lot, my least experienced child skippering my previous boat literally sailed circles around me while I was sailing the Mac.
As a motor boat I'd rate it a bit above average compared to others I've had.
What I will say, without reservation, is that the Macgregor is by far the best-sailing motorboat and the best-motoring sailboat that I've ever seen. I don't think I've been in in the position of owning only one boat since before I could drive a car, but if I had to cut back to just one boat it would be the Macgregor. It is the best all-around boat I've ever owned bar none.
The thing that makes the Mac great is that it is good at so many things and bad at so few.
While it may well have been designed for leisure use in moderate conditions for moderately familiar operators, in my experience it has performed admirably regardless of the conditions I've exposed it to. I would strongly advise against trying to sail a Mac under a small craft advisory (I've done it and it is not pleasant) but that is mostly due to the fragility of the rudders under those conditions. Under power or hove-to I have been no more concerned in my Mac in those conditions than I would be in any other similarly-sized boat. I have no doubt that in even worse conditions I would have given up long before the boat did.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
-
Ixneigh
- Admiral
- Posts: 2469
- Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Key largo Florida
Re: No respect for the Mac
all those better sailing boats have less room. more draft, and smaller engines. they should compare features to features. dont compare my M to a keelboat. I had a 33 ft keelboat who'd pull a 12 foot dinghy full of water at 6.5 knots with dumpster sails. compare my M to other stuff which draws less than a foot.
ix
ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
-
Gazmn
- Admiral
- Posts: 1129
- Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 10:22 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Bayside, NY '97X, E-tec 115 Pontoon, The "Ollie Gray" & '01 Chevy Tahoe W/ Tow Pkg; AL 2X Trlr.
Re: No respect for the Mac
Love This! KM shall be my lawyer, should I ever need defense. “Nobody! - Puts Baby in a corner 
”
Hi All! What a WAY Too Fast Summer!!
Anyway, Screw the haters! We’re all too busy having Phun
Props & Nods to Erik & S/V “Knot Shore”
WOO HOO!!
”Hi All! What a WAY Too Fast Summer!!
Anyway, Screw the haters! We’re all too busy having Phun
Props & Nods to Erik & S/V “Knot Shore”
WOO HOO!!-
Gazmn
- Admiral
- Posts: 1129
- Joined: Wed May 31, 2006 10:22 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Bayside, NY '97X, E-tec 115 Pontoon, The "Ollie Gray" & '01 Chevy Tahoe W/ Tow Pkg; AL 2X Trlr.
Re: No respect for the Mac
I read Capt Moron’s article 
I’m glad that I’ve moved past that stage in life, where I’d make myself feel better and superior at the expense of other people. Apparently a few of us articulately replied to him. - I’m from Brooklyn so screw that
I don’t read his drivel nor belong to his cocktail club. Am Sure my reply won’t be uploaded there…
So I’ll upload it here:
“Ryan,
I’m sure you’re a knowledgeable Skipper, writer but perhaps not the best picker. You’ve picked on 10 boat Captain owners - for what?? Do you feel better about… ? Your choice? Yourself? Why don’t you simply write about your choice boat, rather than telling other Captains they have ugly nautical wives…?
You’ll fare better. Especially since you haven’t Captained these boats you bash. Regarding MacGregor Captains, former and current, you’ve apparently also poked the wrong bear.
Most of us are out enjoying the beauty of the water, our families, you know - enjoying life, rather than making ourselves feel better by picking on other’s choices we know Nothing about. Hearsay, rumor and innuendo is… not what I’d want base my written word on. YMMV.
Proud 20yr Captain of a ‘97 Mac 26X”
20 years of hearing this… kind of stuff…
I’m glad that I’ve moved past that stage in life, where I’d make myself feel better and superior at the expense of other people. Apparently a few of us articulately replied to him. - I’m from Brooklyn so screw that
I don’t read his drivel nor belong to his cocktail club. Am Sure my reply won’t be uploaded there…
So I’ll upload it here:
“Ryan,
I’m sure you’re a knowledgeable Skipper, writer but perhaps not the best picker. You’ve picked on 10 boat Captain owners - for what?? Do you feel better about… ? Your choice? Yourself? Why don’t you simply write about your choice boat, rather than telling other Captains they have ugly nautical wives…?
You’ll fare better. Especially since you haven’t Captained these boats you bash. Regarding MacGregor Captains, former and current, you’ve apparently also poked the wrong bear.
Most of us are out enjoying the beauty of the water, our families, you know - enjoying life, rather than making ourselves feel better by picking on other’s choices we know Nothing about. Hearsay, rumor and innuendo is… not what I’d want base my written word on. YMMV.
Proud 20yr Captain of a ‘97 Mac 26X”
20 years of hearing this… kind of stuff…
-
kmclemore
- Site Admin
- Posts: 6263
- Joined: Sun Feb 08, 2004 9:24 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Ambler, PA -- MACX2018A898 w/ Suzuki DF60AV -- 78 BW Harpoon 4.6 -- 2018 Tahoe 550TF w/ 150 Merc
Re: No respect for the Mac
Funny you should say that… despite the fact that I’m an engineer, I come from a family of lawyers, and I spent two years studying at the Syracuse University College of Law (as a part of another degree). During arguments in my family, you either learned to make a solid case, or you simply had to be quiet. Facts and data, folks… bring it.
- Kevin McLemore, Mac Site Admin
-
dlandersson
- Admiral
- Posts: 4960
- Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Michigan City
Re: No respect for the Mac
Uplpoaded or not, there's value in letting them know they "poked the bear". Enough polite disagreements tend to hurt whatever credibility they have.
Gazmn wrote: ↑Tue Oct 07, 2025 2:28 am I read Capt Moron’s article
I’m glad that I’ve moved past that stage in life, where I’d make myself feel better and superior at the expense of other people. Apparently a few of us articulately replied to him. - I’m from Brooklyn so screw that
I don’t read his drivel nor belong to his cocktail club. Am Sure my reply won’t be uploaded there…
So I’ll upload it here:
“Ryan,
I’m sure you’re a knowledgeable Skipper, writer but perhaps not the best picker. You’ve picked on 10 boat Captain owners - for what?? Do you feel better about… ? Your choice? Yourself? Why don’t you simply write about your choice boat, rather than telling other Captains they have ugly nautical wives…?
You’ll fare better. Especially since you haven’t Captained these boats you bash. Regarding MacGregor Captains, former and current, you’ve apparently also poked the wrong bear.
Most of us are out enjoying the beauty of the water, our families, you know - enjoying life, rather than making ourselves feel better by picking on other’s choices we know Nothing about. Hearsay, rumor and innuendo is… not what I’d want base my written word on. YMMV.
Proud 20yr Captain of a ‘97 Mac 26X”
20 years of hearing this… kind of stuff…