MacGregorSailors.com

I am currently shopping for an older Mac 26, and I was wondering if anyone has sailed both the 26D and 26S models? Is there a major difference in performance due to the extra drag from the centerboard trunk on the 26S? I like the more open galley configuration on the 26S compared to the daggerboard trunk on the D that seems to block off access to the galley from the side. Other than the undersized stock rudder, are there any other design problems with this model?

SPC Jared Paul
1-37 Armor
Baghdad, Iraq

Jarad, think you will find your answer here

John

http://bbs.trailersailor.com/forums/macgregor/index.cgi

Too bad no answers to your questions. I was just asked the same thing and haven't hunted down the answers. Here's one for the board if anyone knows:

Just what are the differences between the Mac 26C, D, and S? Just the fact that they have different keel configurations, meaning (I guess) a daggerboard, a centerboard, and a swing keel? Which has which? And why would anyone want any of these when they could have an X or an M? (that's loaded but meant in jest!).

BBraun wrote:Just what are the differences between the
Mac 26C, D, and S?

Just the fact that they have different keel configurations, meaning (I guess) a daggerboard, a centerboard, and a swing keel? Which has which? And why would anyone want any of these when they could have an X or an M? (that's loaded but meant in jest!).

26D = water-ballasted with daggerboard
26S = water-ballasted with swing centerboard
26C = Mac Classic hulls (D or S) in contrast to subsequent powersailers
The classic Macs have more conventional hull profiles with much less freeboard than the powersailers. The daggerboard model is faster under sail, usually attributed to the absence of a drag-inducing board trunk.

Mac 19 = the prototype water-ballasted swing powersailer

. . . and, since life is simply a series of cycles . . .
26X = water-ballasted swing centerboard powersailer
26M = water-ballasted daggerboard powersailer

The Mac 25 was the last Macgregor with a swinging iron keel. It was the best sailing of all Macs and has been designated a Sailboat Hall of Fame design. But the heavy iron keels were not ideal for trailering, and they could be a maintenance headache. All of Macgregor's 26-foot hulls have been water-ballasted with fiberglass boards - for lighter weights and ease in trailering.

BTW ... SPC Paul didn't lack for feedback on his boat quest. While you didn't see it on this particular thread, Jarad did buy a classic Mac. (He'll probably fill in the details for you).

Thanks for the most excellent reply. But are you saying the whole group is termed "26C" while the D has the daggerboard and the S has the swing centerboard? In other words the D and S are subsets of the C group as a whole?

Sorry for the confusion.

From what I understand, all MacGregor ever produced was the S and D, but some of these owners started calling them 26Cs (for Classic) after the 26X came out. You can look at the S and D brochures here.

I could be wrong, but I don't think Roger ever named the 26 D, S or C.

He built the Macgregor 26. He first offered it with a daggerboard, then later changed it to a swing centerboard, and his owners applied the 26D and 26S monikers. I "meant" to allude to both of those earlier designs as the Classics, but I see that wasn't too clear. True enough, 26C does not refer to a unique design, but rather to both of the pre-26X water-ballasted designs.

Once Roger announced the 26X, the owners further assigned the Classic moniker to the earlier designs, distinguishing them from the newer powersailer design.

Thanks gentlemen for your replies. I got it now!

BTW, went sailing in one of my club's boats, a nice Hunter 310, and as we were tooling down the fairway I see a 26X sitting there in its berth looking mighty fine. After our sail I checked it out close up and fell in love all over again just looking at her. I'm still shopping for everything but I really like the 26X.

Every once in awhile I check the classic forum just to see what you guys are talking about. Glad I did and perhaps I can contribute to the conversation.

We have Macs of all sorts in the Conch Cruisers. The past two years, both on the way to the Tortugas and in day sailing off Bimini, there has been a fairly large number of 26Xs, a 25, a number of 26S, 26M, V22 a single 26D, even a couple Hunter 260 and a few other smaller boats.

I can't say this is a scientific, head to head test and there were no actual races except for the known fact that any two or more boats going in the same direction constitutes a race. I can't comment on how each boat was loaded down. Since we were cruising relatively long distances this could be a factor. The single D has a nice, relatively new set of fully battened sails as well, and I have no idea how much this contributes. I can't comment on the relative skill of the skippers, except to say that most of them appear fairly competent.

I can say the following: This particular 26D is consistently the fastest boat in the fleet by quite a wide margin. The Hunter 260 and 26S appear fairly evenly matched and are consitentently faster than the 26X and 26M. There appears to be no clear advantage of the M over the X.

Fire away.

As the owner of a 26S, I'm a bit prejudiced. I think it's the better choice for me because of where I sail. One of my favorite local lakes is actually a flowage on the Wisconsin River. It's full of hazards like shifting sandbars, old barn foundations from before the area was flooded, tree stumps, rock piles and other assorted debris, not to mention many areas are just plain shallow. I can't count how many times we hit something with our centerboard, but since it can swing up over obstacles, no harm done. The same manuver with a 26D can cause severe damage (and has)to the daggerboard or the hull or both.
As far as the difference in speed, it's not much. If all you plan to do is race the boat, I guess you might want a D, but for general daysailing or the occasional coastal cruise or Bimini trip, it's not worth worrying about. I've never sailed on a D, but I can't imagine it sails any different than an S, since the hull, sails and rigging are the same. With all else being equal, I would much rather have the peace of mind knowing I'm not going to rip the bottom of the hull out than the miniscule speed advantage.

Rick

Rick Eggers wrote:As the owner of a 26S, I'm a bit prejudiced. I think it's the better choice for me because of where I sail.

With all else being equal, I would much rather have the peace of mind knowing I'm not going to rip the bottom of the hull out than the miniscule speed advantage. Rick

Same logic applies, and has been expressed, by powersailer owners of the X design versus M.

You might want to consider the Mac 25 as an option. I've owned two and really liked them. They aren't as fast as the old 26s but are faster than my 26M and don't heel as much. They also have a more roomy cockpit. The iron keel rests nicely on a trailer support while trailering. Some keels are encased in resin but mine were just painted. I'd recommend avoiding the resin coated ones because of maintenance issues if water gets under the resin.

BB

I am learning all the time. I just now came across the Portsmouth Number index, and the Macs are all in the 90s:

http://www.ussailing.org/portsmouth/tab ... 5off-2.htm

The Mac 26D is the fastest, as I recall. My Bahama Islander 24 was faster than the Mac 26X which is not good, especially considering the Islander was heavy, nearly full keeled, and could handle the big chop and waves in the Bay Area with no problems at all. OTOH, the 26X number is that of sailboat and not the bastardy monstrosity that many detractors like to portray. In fact, given the flat bottom and all, 99 is a pretty good rating. My Laser like Banshee which is FAST only has a 93.5.

Anyway I'm looking at everything, and am now daydreaming about the Ultimate 20 which wieghs only 1600 lbs (with trailor) and is an 80!! ZOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!!

Oh and the Mac25, which is eye catching and really, really cheap on the used market. As well as the Mac 26c's and 26X.

Well, for now I've decided the 26D is the boat for my list of sailing adventures.

I will start my shopping soon.

Does anyone happen to know if you can get up river from the Ohio/Mississippi and hook up with the canal system with just a 10HP on a 26S or D? I just don't have good information on the current on the lower Ohio.

the 1989 D model had the floatation in the celing of the v berth. the higher comings in th e cockpit, and the outboard mounted rudder.

this imho is the best year.


as far as motoring, with a 10 hp, you can go about 5 knts or more. almost no reverse (on my boat).