MacGregorSailors.com

I am the former owner of a 26M, blue hull, with a 70HP Suzuki 4 stroke that I dearly loved. I could solo sail with no problems and Pensacola Bay provided a terrific year round sailing environment. Problem was my four grand kids did not like the "slow" boat. So to placate everyone I sold my M and bought a 25' Edgewater with a 225 Yamaha. Nice boat, but it is transportation...not an experience. Plus at 2 MPG a short trip to the beach cost about $30.00 Well you might have guessed...all the kids are older, involved in sports with little time for boating. So here I am at 65 with a boat I don't enjoy sitting in the driveway. Had I thought this through I would have kept the Mac and just told them to enjoy the day. The 70 Suzi moved us out pretty good. Just would not plane with a full load.

Don't get me wrong. I love my grand kids and they bring much joy to me. I just really miss sailing.

Moral...things change...life is short.

It's not too late.

It's time for the grandkids to buy the Edgewater from you so you can re-invest in a Mac!

I know there's a good life's lesson here, however what I really noticed in the lead in post was a 70hp Suzuki that wouldn't plane a 26M. What? You got to be kidding! Fully loaded or not that's got to be enough engine if properly installed, proped and operated to plane that boat filly loaded or not. I'm just glad I got a 90 Tohatsu 9 years ago when I bought my M. Never had any problems like not planning. Now as far as the grandkids go, mine want to go on the boat, but it's their parents that don't cooperate and who don't want to go on the boat. Do you know why grandparents and grandkids get along so well? It's because they share a common enemy. The parents!

Kind Regards,
JonBill

Yeah well at 65 I can relate to Trumpet but I still have the boat and am still enjoying it but it is for sale and I know when it is gone it will not be a good day but we need to see other country away from the coast still and travelling with the Mac means while it is a good caravan on good roads the places I want to see are not.
Mind you the wife mentioned again today that perhaps we should keep it and just leave the mast home it could happen.

JonBill wrote:It's because they share a common enemy. The parents!

Kind Regards,
JonBill

My grandkids are over booked but still enjoy motor/sailing. We get "penciled in" months in advance and have learned that leaving Mom and Dad home makes for a much more enjoyable experience

Trumpetguy: I had thoughts about selling my for the same reason as you but my wife insisted I keep it and spend more time at the lake now I meet up with other SV owners at the marina mid week and trade sailing on each other's boats.
My is a very popular boat to be on when there's little or no wind-now I need to start collecting gas money from
them

Bob

Sorry to say, similar stories abound.. Lots of Grandparents change plans for one reason or another and "The Deal" falls through..
Myself and 2 others I know.. stayed up North to be with and around GK's at ....... Grandma's request , and now? We, none of the 3 of us can sell our homes... so none of us can move.... and the clock.... is ticking away..and another longgggg winter is looking us in the face..

I'm 67, bought my X when I was 63, first boat and never sailed before.
The good weather windows in the UK are limited so I don't get to use it half as much as you lake sailors in the USA, it costs me a chunk of my income to keep it moored and stored every year now I'm retired but this is one of the last things I would sell if I was forced to.
These are the best boats anyone will find to give a good measure of sailing and powering in safety ( my wife loves it ) and we"ve had more pleasure from this boat than any other venture we've tried in 40 years.


If you have one keep it if you can-Don't sell it - you'll be sorry

phil kelly wrote: If you have one keep it if you can-Don't sell it - you'll be sorry

Been there, done that (been sorry)

Rick

Than get it back, 2008 M with 70 hp Suzuki for sale in Naples, Florida for $26,000 at the Texas site.
Act now or you snooze and loose.
Dave

trumpetguy wrote:I am the former owner of a 26M, blue hull, with a 70HP Suzuki 4 stroke that I dearly loved. I could solo sail with no problems and Pensacola Bay provided a terrific year round sailing environment. Problem was my four grand kids did not like the "slow" boat. So to placate everyone I sold my M and bought a 25' Edgewater with a 225 Yamaha. Nice boat, but it is transportation...not an experience. Plus at 2 MPG a short trip to the beach cost about $30.00 Well you might have guessed...all the kids are older, involved in sports with little time for boating. So here I am at 65 with a boat I don't enjoy sitting in the driveway. Had I thought this through I would have kept the Mac and just told them to enjoy the day. The 70 Suzi moved us out pretty good. Just would not plane with a full load.

Don't get me wrong. I love my grand kids and they bring much joy to me. I just really miss sailing.

Moral...things change...life is short.

Not long ago we went through the "thinking about selling" thing. For us, it was about whether we get enough use out of the boat relative to how much its worth (50 grand or so here). I am a shift worker, the wife works normal peoples hours, plus is back at Uni, and then there is the two kids = not much free time. Mostly I am pretty happy just pottering around by myself in my dinghy when I have an hour or two to spare (as per the photo).

Still, we wernt going to be without a cruising boat, we were just thinking about downsizing to an older Trailer sailer worth only a fraction of the Macs dollar value (couldnt imagine being without a boat/mobile floating holiday home). We looked at a few others, and it was clear that we just wernt going to be happy with that tiny cabin space LOL. Then we went away for a few days in the Mac and when we got back looked at each other and went Naaaaa, Little Annie aint going anywhere!
The Mac is probably the best trailerable cruising boat on the market. After another great week away in her a few weeks back, and two more trips planned over Christmas, I am VERY glad we have not downsized to some smelly old uncomfortable little boat


My Potterer


My Holiday home

Life is good, and I have no plans on ruining it by getting rid of the Mac!

Good for you. Glad you can use the live aboard space. I think for now I will scratch the sailing itch with the Buccaneer Sail Club here in Pensacola. They have two 24' keel boats in a wet slip. All insurance and maintenance is covered, plus the gas...all for $95.00 a month. The thought of driving 10 minutes to a slip and sailing away is very appealing right now. Maybe one day I will own another Mac...perhaps a 28' will become available to make the wife happy with a little more room.

Thanks to all for listening.

trumpetguy

Think before you sell.. I wish you had posted this story earlier in the summer..

I sold my X boat and now I am kicking myself..

What was I thinking..??

I hope to purchase anotaher Saillboat in the next few years.

better yet, I hope my 2 boys take up Sailing seriously, buy and take care of the Yacht.

Mac26Mpaul,
that little "potterer" looks like a lot of fun, too.

Yes, love my little Potterer I will deffinately never be parting with her

ahhhh this is the life...


Sorry, having finally got around to starting a photobucket account, I just cant help but post photos everywhere.

Maybe I should start me one of them facebook thingies next ..... naaaaaaaaaaaaaaa