New Member, new to sailing, in the market for a Mac 26M

[rgrummer]

I was looking for an introduction post of sorts, but couldn't find one so thought I'd introduce myself with a new post

Boating Background:
Live in Iowa, so have been mostly on small motorized craft in smaller lakes and Rivers.
Currently have an older 20' pontoon (loads of fun )
Taking beginning sailing lessons this summer (2010).

Mac 26 M expectations:
What draws me to these boats is the trailer-ability aspect, mostly. Living in Iowa I have one lake within 6 blocks of my house that I will frequent the most
(and have seen a couple S or D models on her),
but am drawn to the idea that I can hitch to the trailer, drive 2 or 3 hours and be on another nice lake or the Mississippi River for a long weekend or week.

I'm also planning (in the future, at least 2 seasons after I've owed the boat) to head down to the Texas, Alabama or Florida coast lines during the cold Iowa winter for 3 or 4 weeks. Being a novice sailor and that I've never been out in any sizable waters, I don't plan on the shoreline leaving my vision....except maybe if I felt comfortable enough to venture over to Dry Tortugas west of the Keys.
Very much liking the idea that I can get out of any trouble spots that I get myself into by starting up the motor and heading to safety...

What I'm looking for:
Not sure if I will get one this summer or next, depends on some other financing loose ends, but I'm looking at purchasing a 3 or 4 year old
26M.

Open to all and any suggestions and/or advice that is sent my way...

rgrummer

[SkiDeep2001]

RGRUMMER, here is a post from member albion in " Life is Good". Looks like he is selling his 26 Maybe you could work a deal. Welcome & Good Luck Rob <> albion said - I wish I could sail my 26M like you. I cant so I'm selling it on Macgregorowners..BTW nice video you made.albion
First Officer

Posts: 273
Joined: Mon Apr 10, 2006 12:25 am
Location: Medina Ohio 2007 Mac26M Suzuki 50hp Hull#M1494g607

[March]

Hi, rgrummer. I live in iowa too. I have a very busy schedule for the next couple of weeks, but I'll be happy to give you a ride in my 26X after the 16th. Let's keep in touch

[Love MACs]

Don't know if you are sold on the M...but there are quite a few Xs for sale in our Classified section, at good prices Personally I like the layout of the X better and the swing keel was a big seller for me. Best of Luck



Allan

[Doug W]

Good luck on your search! If you can, try to get aboard both an and a before deciding. Personally, I like both models. Both have some strong selling points. The has a great interior layout and a bigger cockpit/transom entry. My wife has a bit of difficulty entering Galactica from ground through the motor well--we found that a step ladder over the engine helps her.

We live in the center of Missouri and often head to Mark Twain Lake in North Eastern Missouri. PM me sometime if you're interested in meeting us at Mark Twain some weekend for an afternoon on a . I come from a speedboat background so can offer that point of view.

I'm heading out to provision her now so that we can spend the long weekend on Truman or Mark Twain lake...haven't made up my mind yet. Admiral doesn't care which.

Hope you find your boat!

...Doug
http://starsloop.blogspot.com/

[rgrummer]

Would love to go out in one sometime, that would be awesome! ! !

What part of Iowa are you from? I'm up at Clear Lake.

Hi, rgrummer. I live in iowa too. I have a very busy schedule for the next couple of weeks, but I'll be happy to give you a ride in my 26X after the 16th. Let's keep in touch

[rgrummer]

I'm not 100% sold on the M just yet....was looking at those only because they were newer and I figured
had some improvements over the X's...but I may learn on here and from actually being able to get on
a couple that that just might not be the case...

Don't know if you are sold on the M...but there are quite a few Xs for sale in our Classified section, at good prices Personally I like the layout of the X better and the swing keel was a big seller for me. Best of Luck



Allan

[rgrummer]

That would be great if we can work out an afternoon sometime this summer, thank you for the offer.

Good luck on your search! If you can, try to get aboard both an and a before deciding. Personally, I like both models. Both have some strong selling points. The has a great interior layout and a bigger cockpit/transom entry. My wife has a bit of difficulty entering Galactica from ground through the motor well--we found that a step ladder over the engine helps her.

We live in the center of Missouri and often head to Mark Twain Lake in North Eastern Missouri. PM me sometime if you're interested in meeting us at Mark Twain some weekend for an afternoon on a . I come from a speedboat background so can offer that point of view.

I'm heading out to provision her now so that we can spend the long weekend on Truman or Mark Twain lake...haven't made up my mind yet. Admiral doesn't care which.

Hope you find your boat!

...Doug
http://starsloop.blogspot.com/

[Hardcrab]

Try to look at the three different interior layouts with the Admiral.
26X, 2003-2004 M, and 2005M and up.
One of these may pop out at you/her.
As you have already stated, any of the powersailors might be right for you.

Pivoting centerboard if you play in shallow water may make the X the "better" choice.
M brings different interior layouts to the table.
The M may be the slightly better sailor, the X may be the slightly better power boat.

But the differences in performance are not great and no argument is intended.

The bottom line is they are neither really great sail boats nor great power boats from a pure performance standpoint, but they offer a taste of both worlds for those who "get" what the Macs do offer.

[Paul S]

I'm not 100% sold on the M just yet....was looking at those only because they were newer and I figured
had some improvements over the X's...but I may learn on here and from actually being able to get on
a couple that that just might not be the case...

Don't know if you are sold on the M...but there are quite a few Xs for sale in our Classified section, at good prices Personally I like the layout of the X better and the swing keel was a big seller for me. Best of Luck



Allan

Uh oh.. could this be the start of yet another M vs X thread?

If you are not sold on a model, do a seach here. There are hundreds of pages (or so it may seem) of comparison threads. One thing is certain, X owners will push the X, M owners will push the M. Shocking, I know. we like the 04 layout..we own an 04. freaky isnt it

There is one fact though.. the Blue M is faster!

[c130king]

...There is one fact though.. the Blue M is faster!

Oh boy, here we go again.

Cheers,
Jim
Sailing on König

[bjmeunier]

come on you Mac'ers..we got us a newby..let's not fill him with misinformation like "blue hulls are faster" that just wouldn't be right. Unless of course you were towing said blue hull at the time. Let him get his bad info at sites like SA and lets just stay with the facts and honest help here. I mean, even as a newby, he'll know the white hulls just blow by the slower blues...geez

[Paul S]

Actually he SHOULD post his question on SA. It is always a riot how they get their panties in a bunch whenever anyobe brings up a Mac question!!

[Québec 1]

My blue hulled stock 26M sails fast!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSV1NpFn8Uc
It also always draws a crowd cause its so pretty
Q1

[Loefflerh]

One thing is certain, X owners will push the X, M owners will push the M.

Not really true: I had a 26 x, and I loved it. But when I saw the M I was hooked, sold the x and I am even more happy with my 2008 M now!:)