Looking for my first 26M!

[kevinkirby]

Good morning all! I am currently teetering on the edge of retirement here on the beautiful Gulf Coast. (Mobile Alabama) I have been searching for a vessel that I feel will fulfill my needs moving forward. I grew up in a sailing family. Most of the weekends of my youth were spent on a Lightning, Venture or Catalina sailboat much to my chagrin....at the time. Well, I was a teenager. Now at the crisp age of 62 my father is baffled at my desire to acquire a sailboat....of any kind. But as he told me after he lost his Catalina in Katrina, my mom's passing in 2016, and his lost of desire for sailing...."Things change." So now I am in search of a 26M. If anyone knows of a 26M that is available for purchase in the South East region I would love to hear about it. I have read many of the pros and cons about the 26M. I am not planning on doing any blue water sailing, not am I planning on pulling skiers on the weekends. I am looking for an easy going sailing vessel that my wife and I can leisurely mull about in but one that also has the capability to move quickly when our southern skies turn nasty. Thanks in advance everyone! I look forward to conversing with many of you on the experiences and mods you have had on your MacGregors! K

[Jimmyt]

Welcome to the forum Kevin! Glad to have you here.

Are you and your wife comfortable at 15 degrees heel? Water ballast tends to heel initially, then stiffen up. So, there's generally a fair amount of heel, unless you're on a run, or motoring.

I believe you may be coming to look at my boat next week. That will give you a chance to study the construction, rigging, etc without the pressure of possible purchase decision hanging over you. I didn't get that opportunity, basically putting a deposit down on the first available, good, boat I found in our area. Mine was at a brokerage in Pensacola. They had two at the time. Mine was in good shape, lightly used; while the other one was more of a fixer-upper. I had searched for almost a year before finding one within 100 miles.

I love the boat. It is exactly what I want - with very few exceptions. The rudder brackets are poorly designed and must be coddled. I have never had a problem with the rudders, but it has the potential of failing if you aren't careful. There is an awkward motoring speed, above idle, but below planing, where the boat doesn't track well. I don't spend time motoring at that speed. I usually run idle to around hull speed. If I want to go faster, I go above "waddle speed". Otherwise, it is a nice boat that you should be able to enjoy for many years.

I think it's a nice solution to boating in our area. Looking forward to meeting you.

[Russ]

Welcome to the forum and welcome to the Mac community.

These boats are very versatile and are very easy to sail.
We have several Mac owners in the Mobile area and it seems like a great place to be boating.

Check out the classifieds section here. New posts show up regularly.

https://macgregorsailors.com/classifieds/

[leefrankpierce]

Deny your evil M tendencies and set your eyes on an X.

[dlandersson]

Suggest you also consider an X, possibly a C, S, D as well.

[dlandersson]

Get thee behind me Satan

Deny your evil M tendencies and set your eyes on an X.

[Be Free]

I'm not saying that the "X" is better, but I was looking for an "M" and looked at three of them when I saw an "X" for sale about 100 miles away. I'm not saying it's better, but it is the one I came home with.

[Jimmyt]

I would have taken either one when I bought mine. Either will make a good boat. The head in the X is more to my liking.

I would suggest picking the best example of either that is within easy driving distance. But, that's just me...

For me, the best example of either within 100 miles; happened to be a 2013 26M with a lot of accessories. I purchased her in 2015 after finding that there were very few things that needed correcting - none of which would keep it from going sailing. The owner and broker took me on a test sail. I paid $24k and towed it home. Never looked back.

[Russ]

The most important decision is the white hull or the faster BLACK hull.

[Stickinthemud57]

I'll pipe up with my love for my 26s. Nice, roomy cockpit, and moves really nicely. The guy a few slips over has an M and says he wishes he had held out for an S. Just sayin'...

[Be Free]

Jimmy,
When he comes to see your "M" you can take him on a test sail over to see my "X". It's only about 300 miles each way.
Bill

[Jimmyt]

Jimmy,
When he comes to see your "M" you can take him on a test sail over to see my "X". It's only about 300 miles each way.
Bill

I like the way you think! Recovering from surgery or I'd be telling you to light the grill and put the beer on ice!

[Be Free]

I did about 150 miles on my last trip. Never set foot on land the whole time.

[Jimmyt]

I did about 150 miles on my last trip. Never set foot on land the whole time.

You Rock! I hope to get some numbers like that myself one day.

[Be Free]

My personal best so far is 164 miles but that was all on the St. Johns River. I had one other person with me on that trip and we did get off the boat for about an hour to get some ice and let him cool off his very bad sunburn at a diner in Palatka. That one was also five days and four nights on the boat.

Kevin: see how much fun you can have on an "X".