Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

A forum for discussing topics relating to MacGregor Powersailor Sailboats
User avatar
dlandersson
Admiral
Posts: 4972
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Michigan City

Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by dlandersson »

Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26 - fairly decent blurb on out boats. I commented, and I encourage you to do also. 8)

User avatar
Russ
Admiral
Posts: 8334
Joined: Thu Oct 11, 2007 12:01 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Bozeman, Montana "Luna Azul" 2008 M 70hp Suzi

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by Russ »

It's Practical Sailor, a reputable source vs. that other MAC hating video.

It's a bit harsher than I would say. It won't sail like a J-boat but the Mac will sail well enough to get by. He makes it seem like it won't sail upwind at all.

His conclusion is spot on. MAC owners USE their boats. They are not slaves to Marina travel lifts and fees.

Overall, I agree, it's a decent evaluation.
--Russ
User avatar
dlandersson
Admiral
Posts: 4972
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Michigan City

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by dlandersson »

Yeah, his words were "it will saill upwiud - eventually" - I mentioned this in my comments 8)

Really nice point about us using our boats far more than many other boat owners. :D
Russ wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 6:02 am It's Practical Sailor, a reputable source vs. that other MAC hating video.

It's a bit harsher than I would say. It won't sail like a J-boat but the Mac will sail well enough to get by. He makes it seem like it won't sail upwind at all.

His conclusion is spot on. MAC owners USE their boats. They are not slaves to Marina travel lifts and fees.

Overall, I agree, it's a decent evaluation.
45Plus+
Chief Steward
Posts: 72
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 4:42 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Rockland, Ontario

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by 45Plus+ »

I haven't looked at the review yet but this weekend in "Canada's National Newspaper", an ad was run by our lottery and gaming corporation that showed all the wonderful things that could happen to you if you bought a lottery ticket (or two, or three, etc etc). Get a load of the boat they chose to exemplify a wonderful carefree life:

Image

I wonder if AI was used to pick the image? Perhaps the ad agency producer is a fan or owner.

And I won't get into whether or not they should have used a white one over the blue :D
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
User avatar
dlandersson
Admiral
Posts: 4972
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Michigan City

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by dlandersson »

:D :D :D
45Plus+ wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 10:54 am I haven't looked at the review yet but this weekend in "Canada's National Newspaper", an ad was run by our lottery and gaming corporation that showed all the wonderful things that could happen to you if you bought a lottery ticket (or two, or three, etc etc). Get a load of the boat they chose to exemplify a wonderful carefree life:

Image

I wonder if AI was used to pick the image? Perhaps the ad agency producer is a fan or owner.

And I won't get into whether or not they should have used a white one over the blue :D
tuxonpup
Engineer
Posts: 148
Joined: Fri Oct 25, 2024 10:37 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Tucson AZ

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by tuxonpup »

45Plus+ wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 10:54 am I haven't looked at the review yet but this weekend in "Canada's National Newspaper", an ad was run by our lottery and gaming corporation that showed all the wonderful things that could happen to you if you bought a lottery ticket (or two, or three, etc etc). Get a load of the boat they chose to exemplify a wonderful carefree life:

Image

I wonder if AI was used to pick the image? Perhaps the ad agency producer is a fan or owner.

And I won't get into whether or not they should have used a white one over the blue :D
Most likely just asked AI what kind of yacht can I afford with one million canadian dollars and voila!
1996 Macgregor 26X w/150% RF Genoa & Nissan 50hp 2-stroke
45Plus+
Chief Steward
Posts: 72
Joined: Thu Dec 02, 2021 4:42 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Rockland, Ontario

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by 45Plus+ »

Funny, I could not get over the thought that I had seen that guy before. So I searched through video reviews of Mac 26s and lo and behold, 5 years ago he (or someone who looks and sounds a lot like him) offered a pretty similar guarded review that I had looked at before I bought my M:



i wonder if he just really likes the Ms and Xs or maybe he knows that there are so many Macs out there that there are more "clicks" to be had on his video.
User avatar
Highlander
Admiral
Posts: 5998
Joined: Wed Sep 21, 2005 8:25 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Maccutter26M 2008 75HP Merc. 4/S Victoria BC. Can. ' An Hileanto'ir III '
Contact:

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by Highlander »

FYI this is an add that was originally produced few yrs ago & I believe the owner at the time of the adds production was a member of this site at that time & did post a review about how it came into the production of the add , now I,m not 100% sure about if this owner was a site member or I seen it on another site ! , or was also posted on here by another of our members who actually knew the boat owner at that time & did a review of how it came about ?
It might come up in a history search !
All the best to everyone for 2026

J 8)
User avatar
Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2476
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by Ixneigh »

My boat goes to weather in four feet of water better than any other that I'm aware of except maybe a beach cat. And those dont have a place to sleep.

Ix
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
User avatar
dlandersson
Admiral
Posts: 4972
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Michigan City

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by dlandersson »

I suspect there's some/a lot of that 8)
45Plus+ wrote: Mon Jan 12, 2026 3:28 pm Funny, I could not get over the thought that I had seen that guy before. So I searched through video reviews of Mac 26s and lo and behold, 5 years ago he (or someone who looks and sounds a lot like him) offered a pretty similar guarded review that I had looked at before I bought my M:

i wonder if he just really likes the Ms and Xs or maybe he knows that there are so many Macs out there that there are more "clicks" to be had on his video.
JotaErre
Engineer
Posts: 124
Joined: Fri Jan 25, 2013 5:23 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Spain

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by JotaErre »

"Bisexuality immediately doubles your chances for a date on Saturday night."
Woody Allen

That's why diehard sailors don't like the MacGregor.
Slartibartfast
Just Enlisted
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2023 2:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Hudson Valley, New York

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by Slartibartfast »

Though admittedly I can't think of specific examples, the Lady K guy always struck me as a bit wishy washy, and more like a guy who knew how to use Google well rather than actually having anything insightful to say. I guess I'm happy for him that he managed to partner with a respected brand, but it hasn't exactly made me eager to watch their videos.
User avatar
dlandersson
Admiral
Posts: 4972
Joined: Fri Aug 27, 2010 10:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Michigan City

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by dlandersson »

Any new owners that were influenced by his review is a good thing 8)
Slartibartfast wrote: Fri Jan 16, 2026 11:27 am Though admittedly I can't think of specific examples, the Lady K guy always struck me as a bit wishy washy, and more like a guy who knew how to use Google well rather than actually having anything insightful to say. I guess I'm happy for him that he managed to partner with a respected brand, but it hasn't exactly made me eager to watch their videos.
Slartibartfast
Just Enlisted
Posts: 18
Joined: Mon Sep 18, 2023 2:02 pm
Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
Location: Hudson Valley, New York

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by Slartibartfast »

Agreed, but isn't this the guy who included Macs in one of his "Worst Sailboats Ever" lists, then turns around with a video about how underrated they are? But, yeah, anyone who can read between the lines and buy a mac will be happier for it.

And I guess he's still better than the AI trash coming out these days.
User avatar
Ixneigh
Admiral
Posts: 2476
Joined: Thu Sep 09, 2010 11:00 am
Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
Location: Key largo Florida

Re: Why Sailors Love to Hate the MacGregor 26

Post by Ixneigh »

I cant post a comment on the youtube video since Im
No longer signed up, but if I could this is what I would post.

Mac owners say to me: Not afraid to go your own way, dont care what others think, and probably extensively research nearly everything they buy to make sure it works for their use. Did anyone ever buy this boat actually thinking it was an ocean cruiser? I mean really. Its got to be an urban legend. "Ohhh its built light, cant take it offshore!!!" Well NO **** Sherlock. If I wanted to go offshore I would have gotten a frickin Contessa 32. Huh? Huh? Is that offshore enough for you? I know what a bloody offshore boat is. I could have drawn and built my own offshore boat. But, I dont want to go out there, and neither do my dogs! Especially on a small boat and I dont WANT a bigger boat because i like to move the boat around frequently in the shallow places the dogs and I like to hang out in, and don't want to deal heavier ground tackle. Not to mention equally large yard and storage bills.
Horses for courses!
"Shoal Idea"
2011 M, white
Tohatsu 20
South Fl.
Post Reply