Also looking to buy a 26M

[barryst1300]

Re-reading Paul's last post your probably right about the tent idea Dennis. And since that means I wouldn't be imposing on his family time if I was on his 26M for the weekend it will all work perfectly just let me know where you'll leave the keys Paul

[sunshinecoasting]

Haha, I know Paul and I doubt he would leave the keys to Little Annie just lying about.

Just re reading these posts, in all honesty you would enjoy either boat, I know the can be slower under motor than the but Pauls commented speeds surprise me, having said that it definitely looks like is a bit faster under sail, my boat really does need a rig tune though, my mast rake is like 8 degrees rearward and it should only be around 4, this causes me severe weather helm at times, especially if i am under main only, i will fix that soon.

[barryst1300]

Hi Den,
I was up there yesterday and did a run on my jetski from Mooloolaba to Noosa river and back. Had a great day out! We were surprised to find that at 7am on Saturday morning that ramp was packed out and cars with boat trailers lined the roads for about a kilometre. I ended up parking my car and trailer in Underwater worlds car park and walked back from there.

I'm wondering what the ramp will be like next Saturday if its usually this packed on a normal weekend?

We''ll keep an eye on the forecast and I'll call you around mid week just to confirm your still going out?

[Fresh Breeze]

Hi Barry,

Regarding the rotating mast on an , we have ours in the fixed position, for you do have the option on the to either have it in the fixed or rotating position.
We won't be on the water this weekend for our trailer is getting an upgrade to tandem axle's at the moment.
We should be sailing the Great Sandy's some time very soon, once this weather settles a bit, up this way some very bad sudden storms have been happening.

Cheers

[barryst1300]

Thanks for the information on the mast rotation options on the M. I'm interested in how much the upgrades to the trailer will cost? It does appear from some of the things I've read that the standard MacGregor trailer is a little light for the size of the boat. Particularly for our pot holed roads

[Mac26Mpaul]

I'm not sure that its too light. I admit it did scare me a bit how much it flexes when the boat is not on it and you jump on it,, but it is aluminium and meant to be like that I think. Many have travelled many thousands of kms on the standard trailer without any issue. In fact the only failures I'v heard of are to do with the tongue rusting out without the owner noticing. The problem is that in Australia its only rated to 1905kgs and keeping an M that light on the trailer is nearly impossible The issue is if there is an accident for whatever reason and the cops decided to have your rig weighed,,,, which does happen, then your insurance might not be worth too much....

I don't know why you would fix the mast, I have had the odd accidental gybe (or two) and I haven't had any problems with the rotating mast, has anyone else?? On the other hand, I'm probably not convinced the rotating mast makes any difference on a boat like this. Mind you, Macgregor did seem to put a good deal of testing into his boats so I assume it does have some positive effect... ..

FB, I, (and many others!) will be interested to hear how the upgrading to duel axels goes. I have heard of people having problems doing it. I got quoted about 5K for a duel axel upgrade with electric brakes and a few other bits, but didn't go ahead, because I' actually prefer to stay single axel if I could somehow do it but upgrade my weight capacity.

[barryst1300]

Well I finally found my boat yesterday. I have purchased a 2005 model that is in sound condition. It had passed a full survey that a previous potential buyer had organised, and also had a good report from an independent engine inspection and test. Inside the boat is like new, but outside needs some basic TLC. Ie: it needs a good cut and polish then a buff to bring the hull and decks back up. The hull has never been antifouled and the trailer is sound and passed a roadworthy.

I have a few weeks worth of work to do on the boat and complete a few mod's I'd like to do to it before taking it out for our first sail. Keen to get stuck into it though now and hope to catch up with some other owners on the water soon .

Cheers

Barry