MacGregorSailors.com

Our family is thinking of doing Prince William Sound this summer and the Inside Passage the next and are in the market for a MacGregor 26 M. We are hoping to pick it up on the Pacific Northwest or Colorado (where we live). Let me know if you know of anyone in the market right now. Tasha

Try kijiji.ca (Canadian Craigslist) and specify British Columbia. Last I checked there were a few x's and M's for sale down there and with the exchange rate it's a big discount. I've found a lot of BC macs have the coastal cruising package from bwy which should be a starting point for equipping a Mac for the inside passage. Leave lots of time for weather crossing from icy straights (cross sound) up Yakutat to Prince William as there are limited anchorages and you are exposed to the entire gulf of Alaska for well over 100nm with no shelter. The other option a lot of people go for is to drive their boat up or ferry to Juneau and explore from there.

Thank you Yukon Bob. I love the advice. We are open to any other advice from anyone on sailing a Mac 26 M up the Inside Passage and how we should outfit it. I will look at the Canadian Craiglist. Tasha

The US$ to CDN$ exchange rate has pushed up the demand and price for used cars in Canada by a considerable margin. I have not noticed that increase with Macs. Which means you could buy a Mac in Canada at a 40% discount not too long ago, though a bit less now. I think it is mostly not recognized in the US for the bargoon that it is. I know of one mint Mac 2011 that sold new for just under $60,000 go for $US25,000 equivalent. Note that a similar discount on the currency can be had on a brand new Tattoo 26 in Canada, though there is a bit more paperwork involved to return them to the US.

A quick search on Kijiji found this one up the coast a ways.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sailboat/kitimat ... nFlag=true
I would think some closer ones will come on the market as the weather warms..
Bluenote

Bluenote wrote:A quick search on Kijiji found this one up the coast a ways.
http://www.kijiji.ca/v-sailboat/kitimat ... nFlag=true
I would think some closer ones will come on the market as the weather warms..
Bluenote

For example, that one's about $US 21,750.00 at today's exchange rate.

If you’re planning on leaving form the Vancouver area and going all the way up to Glacier Bay I would personally plan on a five to six month trip; three if you put in really long days and just get there and go back no side trips or relaxing. Pick up some guide books, Charlie’s Charts is a great read with lots of info. Glacier Bay requires a permit (free) but should book in advance. If your time is limited and your main goal is to sail Alaska, I would load the boat on its trailer and take the ferry to Juneau (a little $$) and sail out of there. Icy straights and Glacier Bay are a day trip to get to, Tracy arm is around the corner and most everything else in SE AK is within 2-3 days travel. The two other put in’s that are accessible by road in SE AK/BC are Prince Rupert, Stewart/Hyder and Skagway; Haines is a third option but is another 5 hours by road from Whitehorse versus 1.5 hours to Skagway and they’re only 14nm apart by water. From there you can always hit the road again and head to Valdez to sail Prince William Sound (aprox 14 hours by road from Skagway). May, June July have been pretty nice the last four years, with the best fishing in July, August.

That listed boat is a BWY coastal cruiser package (Pretty sure) the extra striping along the rub rail is a dead give-away its a BWY boat as is the listed features. Kitimat would also be a good place to start from for sailing or catching the Ferry (pretty sure the ferry runs out of Kitimat, if not Prince Rupert is right around the corner)

Thanks Yukon Bob. What does the coastal cruise package come with? Tasha

http://www.bwyachts.com/macgregorhome.html

Click on the 'Macgregor 26m' tab at the top, select optional equipment from the drop down list, then read the lake & daysailing package (which is included in the coastal cruising package) then go back and see the additional equipment for the coastal cruising package. That boat listed above appears to have the bwy cc package. This doesn't include a heater or full enclosure and IMO a two burner stove and or BBQ greatly improves the livability while aboard. If you look at a full enclosure be aware it is a royal PITA to BBQ unless it has feet and you plan on using it on a dock or beach.

tbluhm74 wrote:Our family is thinking of doing Prince William Sound this summer and the Inside Passage the next and are in the market for a MacGregor 26 M. We are hoping to pick it up on the Pacific Northwest or Colorado (where we live). Let me know if you know of anyone in the market right now. Tasha

I met a fellow from Gig Harbor, WA right after we found our MacGregor 26M. His is listed on Craigslist Seattle right now. I want to say it is a 2010, but my brain is kind of mush at the moment... long story. Anyway, I spoke with the owner, James, and he was a wealth of information. He has done a few mods and the boat appears to have had great care. You might want to check the Seattle Craigslist.

Thank you Island Mac. Will do. Tasha

Thank you all who helped us find our boat. We did go ahead and buy the one in Canada and are VERY excited! Tasha

tbluhm74 wrote:Thank you all who helped us find our boat. We did go ahead and buy the one in Canada and are VERY excited! Tasha

Congratulations! The one in Kitimat I assume? We're usually sailing around Icy straights and Juneau area at the end of June beginning of July for two to three weeks and in the Haines Skagway area the rest of the time. PM if you need any info.

Wow - that happened quick. Happy to have helped...
Bluenote