MacGregorSailors.com

I have been "studying" MacGregor boats for a year now as I plan to take up sailing. It looks like I will be the proud owner of a 1997 Mac26X (Soggy Paws) from Co (could not find any used ones locally).

I've signed up for refresher classes from 3rd Coast Cruising in Chicago. learned to sail years ago in the military.

I'm researching the Marina re: slip rental rates and boar storage (and fiberglass repair, bottom painting, etc.).

Are there any Mac 26 owners in the NW Indiana area? I am a firm believer in learning from others experience if at all possible. So, I am searching for a Mac owner in the Chicago area or Northwest Indiana who would be gracious enough to let me pick their brain, perhaps take me for a sail, etc. Email or PM is fine.

TIA,

Dave

nope...

stuck in western kentucky for a few more weeks then southern ohio......

Dave - PM Divecoz on the board...

Hi Dave I am around every so often.. I am actualy out in the Western Burbs.. I keep mine a long ways from you however...
Winthrop Harbor IL . North Point Harbor/Marina 5 *****.. Lots of Marina's in the NW Indiana Area from IMHO 1 * to 3 *** and a few , not too far away in and around Chicago..Among other spots are Bass Lake Indiana.. All depends on your wants needs and desires. A 1 * for me could be a 5* to you if you desire less / fewer, amenities and there by hopefully lower cost..
I / We Hope to be long gone from here, by June.. Hope is the key / hing word.. We are heading south but not near as far as we thought we would go..
If I can help while I'm here, Id be glad to. PM me if ya need and we can even talk on the phone..

Dave,
Ditto to everything Divecoz commented on. Who by the way was the "local" Mac owner gracious enough to allow my family and I to poke around his boat when we were looking. I'm in the NW burbs and my boat is slipped even further away in Racine, WI. I do have it stored inside at a property I manage though so I get to stare at it daily and count down days. If you'd like to take a look feel free to PM me. I'm a relative newbie (owner since 09/09) but if you have any questions, I too would be happy to try to answer them. Regarding Bass Lake, my brother has a pontoon boat there during the season and last season told me low water levels were becoming a problem for him. I don't know but Divecoz may, whether this is a chronic situation or just last year.
Bob

My wants are simple - I have no problems winning the lottery won't fix...

Divecoz wrote:Hi Dave I am around every so often.. I am actualy out in the Western Burbs.. I keep mine a long ways from you however...
Winthrop Harbor IL . North Point Harbor/Marina 5 *****.. Lots of Marina's in the NW Indiana Area from IMHO 1 * to 3 *** and a few , not too far away in and around Chicago..Among other spots are Bass Lake Indiana.. All depends on your wants needs and desires. A 1 * for me could be a 5* to you if you desire less / fewer, amenities and there by hopefully lower cost..
I / We Hope to be long gone from here, by June.. Hope is the key / hing word.. We are heading south but not near as far as we thought we would go..
If I can help while I'm here, Id be glad to. PM me if ya need and we can even talk on the phone..

Thank you - hadn't really thought about Bass Lake -I felt that if I were to hoist the Jolly Roger I'd be less conspicuous in Lake Michigan - and besides, I live smack up next to it.

rfrye94760 wrote:Dave,
Ditto to everything Divecoz commented on. Who by the way was the "local" Mac owner gracious enough to allow my family and I to poke around his boat when we were looking. I'm in the NW burbs and my boat is slipped even further away in Racine, WI. I do have it stored inside at a property I manage though so I get to stare at it daily and count down days. If you'd like to take a look feel free to PM me. I'm a relative newbie (owner since 09/09) but if you have any questions, I too would be happy to try to answer them. Regarding Bass Lake, my brother has a pontoon boat there during the season and last season told me low water levels were becoming a problem for him. I don't know but Divecoz may, whether this is a chronic situation or just last year.
Bob

I'm right next door in Illinois, but I keep my in NW Indiana at the Hammond Marina. I just met a fellow MAC owner the keeps his a few miles north at Calumet Yacht club.
The ice is far to thick to sail these days.

You just missed a for sail at the New Buffalo marina. Did you check the dealer in Mich city (he discouraged me from buying a used he had for sale and advised me to keep my 25 (glad I didn't listen)

There is also a dealer in Milwaukee and Wawasee Indiana.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about the boat or the area. where do you live?
Tom Milton

I live in Hammond - the jewel of Lake county.

I've been to Wawasee - did not know about the New Buffalo marina.

I did compare the Hammond marina and the East Chicago marina - East Chicago seemed better. Can you share your reasons for selecting the Hammond marina?

gyroplanes wrote:I'm right next door in Illinois, but I keep my in NW Indiana at the Hammond Marina. I just met a fellow MAC owner the keeps his a few miles north at Calumet Yacht club.
The ice is far to thick to sail these days.

You just missed a for sail at the New Buffalo marina. Did you check the dealer in Mich city (he discouraged me from buying a used he had for sale and advised me to keep my 25 (glad I didn't listen)

There is also a dealer in Milwaukee and Wawasee Indiana.

I'd be happy to answer any questions about the boat or the area. where do you live?
Tom Milton

i see we have total of 3 hammond area mac owners, looks like we need to plan a get together at the hammond marina!