MacGregorSailors.com

I've owned mine for 5 years now. Researched for 2-3 years before that, trolling popyachts.com often during that time and reading others' adventures here.

Bought mine right when COVID became a thing. Bought it (from a definite 6 foot distance) from a retired, masked-up doctor couple that had a summer house on an island in Washington State. They were the second owners of the boat and had owned it for just over a year but had never put it in the water. They must have liked the idea of owning a sailboat but were too intimidated by the terribly tight and winding roads in their area. It was a beast getting it out of their neighborhood - especially since I had driven up there to get it in a 32 foot motorhome as it was the only thing I owned with a hitch on it at the time!

My wife at the time had been encouraging me to wait until I was much older, retired and lots of time on my hands before buying one. Very glad I did not take that advice so I could learn what needed to be learned while still relatively young. I've loved all the customization projects and the good times and looking forward to a lot more years with As You Wish.

2003 so 22 years. Time flies when you're having fun.

I've had my 2001 MacGregor 26X for seven years, but had been looking at them for much longer (almost since they were first released). I'd been sailing much smaller dinghies for years, and had almost forgotten about getting a bigger boat. When I got a big raise and bonus in 2018, my wife suggested pulling the trigger on getting one.

Hi All!

We bought our Mac26X in September 2020 and have throughly enthusiastically enjoyed it!

We wanted something for potentially extended cruises of the Intra Coastal Waterways and protected waters along the East Coast.
We also wanted to tow & launch/retrieve it ourselves with our Dodge Caravan so the max tow weight needed to be under 3500 lbs.
We also wanted to transit it between New Hampshire and South Carolina regularly.
We wanted to be able to park/store it in our driveways.
We wanted something we could also use for cross country travel camping while enroute to different locations
We looked at A LOT of different boats over the course of several months…. Bayliner cruisers, Carver cruisers, swing keel powered sailboats,…. LOTS of boats…. But failed to find one that really fit our needs….
Out of frustration and a genetic DIY trait I started using my professional design and engineering background to design a unique vessel that would meet our criteria combining the unique features we liked about the various boats we’d been looking at and researching. Concept sketches and functional layouts and preliminary logistics led to more in-depth research and textbooks on marine design and fabrication processing with various materials. Even to listing out the space, facility and handling tools needed for such an undertaking.
At least 25 but not more than 30 ft long
Less than 8 ft wide
Dual axle trailer
Tow weight including trailer under 3500 lbs
Fresh & salt water capable
Motorized preferably with a single four-stroke outboard
Capable of sleeping two adults comfortably with the option of two more if needed
Capable of safely carrying 6 adults, two dogs and a cat
Electric Galley (no interior flames)
Portolet head
Water and fuel and supplies for extended trips
Shore power with onboard generator option
High on water stability with open deck space

That evolved into a folding trimaran design with the same sort of function as Dragonfly’s Trimaran but primarily as a motor cruiser with optional sails. This was all within my skills wheelhouse but it was gonna take a big chunk of real time to accomplish as a solo project. I really was into it but also didn’t need a ‘lifetime achievement project’ to consume my early retirement years.

As I was starting making detail functional sketches and looking at a two to three year build plan for a welded aluminum vessel that would also need to be fitted out the Admiral stumbled upon a MacGregor 26X … It was serendipity at its best!

Here was what we were looking for in a package that ticked the majority of our boxes in a proven reliable functional package that looked great and had a great reputation. All in an existing package that we could afford and basically start using and enjoying right away!
Simultaneously the Admiral found one for sale by K9Campers who lived quite near our home in New Hampshire. So we arranged to see it and it was a ‘Love at First Sight’ moment! This was JUST what we’d been looking for!

The Admiral and I wanted the ‘travel & discovery’ experience much more than the ‘I built this’ experience.
Remember EVERYTHING in life can change in a heartbeat.

It provided the well thought out frame that we have been able to readily modify to our needs and desires which also got us started right away on our journeys and adventures! Haven’t looked back since! Best thing / decision ever!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

I purchased my 2000 26X in 2010 so have enjoyed for 15 years. It was basically stock when purchased with only 47 hrs on the original 50HP Evinrude. Owners modify their boats to fit their needs - I have made modifications to support a cruising lifestyle (not a racer or daysailer). I enjoy living off grid in beautiful surroundings for extended periods of time. Over the years there are three (3) major changes that took my Zen to new levels (relaxation without stress).

1) Upgraded to a 26M single axle alum trailer with increased load carrying capacity and changed configuration of mast for trailering (see in Mod listings). No more stress worrying about yielding a leaf spring or damaging gelcoat from errant shrouds/stays or watching the mast hit its natural frequency and go into a standing wave.

2) Installation of a Garmin EchoMap Plus 73SV so I know where I am relative to rocks and shoals. No more stress worrying about hitting bottom and spending my life plotting bearing lines on paper charts to know where I am.

3) Installation of 170W solar panel and Engel 35 refrigerator so I can live peacefully on the hook for days or weeks. No more stress worrying about when I will need ice for my Yeti 50 cooler.

There have been other numerous mods. This discussion made me feel guilty for consuming knowledge from this site and not giving back - so the last seven (7) 'Latest Listings' on the mod site are my recent postings. The galley mod was a combination of ideas gleaned from this site, and I thank you all. Take a look at it and my other mods. Just finished field testing it on a 2-week cruise in the North Channel, Ontario, Canada - it was Zenful. Closehaul

That is some fine work! Thanks for the reminder to check the mods section.

Hello,

I purchased my brand new in 1996 and have owned it ever since. I sold a Macgregor 25 which I owned for a couple of years before selling to purchase the "new model" at the time. I got to test drive my from the dock at at Roger MacGregor's house in Newport Beach. Lots of fond memories with the kids and friends on this boat. My retirement dream is take the boat to Florida and from their Bahamas. I has been a great boat so far!

A month I've owned my 91 26s project. Hoping to sail it next month for the first time, weather permitting.

Moving up from a nicely maintained Precision 18 (molded in keel with a centerboard). Some people call it a ballasted dingy.

Family keeps growing, so I needed a bigger trailerable boat. Its the biggest thing we can tow w the Ody.

Got into sailing when I gave up all my dumb and dangerous stuff. I'm not smart enough to stay off the throttle and my body can't take the beating anymore. I have the best family and really enjoy sharing my hobbies with them.

Sooo, my broke behind bought a 26s. I like sailing, not motoring, and they're cheaper!

Bought my '98 26X November 11, 2003 and picked it up near Detroit on December 7, 2003 with a U-Haul truck and drove it down to my home in Florida. Have sailed and motored mostly on the St. Johns River and associated lakes, keeping her in the water at a marina in Sanford, Fl for about 20 of the 22 years of ownership. Longest trip was one to Jacksonville and back in 2010. Just arranged for complete paint job for the topside and cockpit, new bottom paint, and new Bimini. At 81 y/o, I am in for the long haul. Love my boat---American Spirit.

Bought my 2002 X a year ago, Live in the desert SW of New Mexico , had always been intrigued with sailing so a few years back found an Airbnb in San Diego that was a 45' boat and came with the Captain that introduced us to the boat, took My wife, my 2 teens and myself sailing for an afternoon then anchored us in a nice quiet cove for the night and paddle boarded away and let us just explore and experience boat life then came back the next day to repeat and I was hooked!
In research realized one big variable for me would be the travel to get to sailing lakes and eventually maybe the ocean and naturally the rose to the top with its lightweight (weighed mine at 3,700 lbs with aluminum dual axle trailer). 6 months later found 1 in Denver Co and the super nice owner "Wil" showed me all the ins and outs and gave me lots of extras with the boat. Been pretty much obsessed with researching my next expedition ever since!
PS, My wife keeps telling me to name it "The Other Woman" !!

FittsFly wrote: ↑Thu Oct 16, 2025 5:25 am PS, My wife keeps telling me to name it "The Other Woman" !!

My dad's first boat was named "Mistress". Which was appropriate. He bought it with that name and couldn't change it.

2015 bought a 2003 26X. We bought it to do the great loop, using it as a trawler not a sailboat. We did the loop twice in the Jill Kristy, did the St. John’s river in Florida did two other trips on the canals in Canada. We have actually spent over two years on our boat since 2015.Hope to use it again in 26 to visit Lake Champlain, Montreal, Ottawa, Rideau Canal,Trent Severn Canal, Georgian Bay and the North channel in Canada. Mike on Chinook, Sumner and many others inspired me to buy our Mac.

Richard

ris wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 4:09 pm ... Hope to use it again in 26 to visit Lake Champlain, Montreal, Ottawa, Rideau Canal,Trent Severn Canal, Georgian Bay and the North channel in Canada.

Richard, when you get some dates in mind, please PM me and let me know when you'll be on the upper part of Lake Champlain. We have a home there on the NY side, and a couple of slips in the Rouses Point marina. We can loan you a slip if you like, and we'd enjoy meeting and sharing a meal or two with you.

Cheers,
Kevin

Don't forget Chicago and Michigan City

ris wrote: ↑Tue Oct 21, 2025 4:09 pm 2015 bought a 2003 26X. We bought it to do the great loop, using it as a trawler not a sailboat. We did the loop twice in the Jill Kristy, did the St. John’s river in Florida did two other trips on the canals in Canada. We have actually spent over two years on our boat since 2015.Hope to use it again in 26 to visit Lake Champlain, Montreal, Ottawa, Rideau Canal,Trent Severn Canal, Georgian Bay and the North channel in Canada. Mike on Chinook, Sumner and many others inspired me to buy our Mac.

Richard

owned since January 2012 - like any boat owner, there have been issues but not specific to MacGregor - I own a "real" sailboat would sell that before the MacGregor given the affordability, portability, storability, reliability and simplicity