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Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:17 pm
by vas
Hello,
I'm considering a base boat for my project, which will be a solely motor crusier(no sails) and I like both 26X and 26M... but it's really difficult to make a right decision here. I like the layout of the X, but M have better V hull for rough waters. Have somebody tried both to tell is it really a big difference here? I'm planning to remove all sails hardware from the boat and install 90-100hp motor to use it as a motor cruiser/ trawler. I'm worrying about pounding when under motor in rough waters on X. Would M be any better? Any advices or comments will be appreciated! Thanks!
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:33 am
by dlandersson
Ok, the "better V hull" (15 degrees) is for better
sailing, not "rough waters".
vas wrote: ↑Thu Aug 10, 2023 8:17 pm
Hello,
I like the layout of the X, but M have better V hull for rough waters.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:37 am
by NiceAft
Do you intend on doing long cruises, or just daily run abouts
When it comes to the interior, there is a difference, but you already have a preference.
When MacGregor was marketing the
, he said it was faster; he never said by how much. If it was significant, he would have said what that difference is. Remember, he was the guy who showed a Ford Escort attached to a MacGregor trailer.
Both are wet boats (spray raining into the cockpit when speeding through choppy water).
Hull speed on both is about six MPH. I have a 50HP FOUR stroke. That 100HP motor will only be better when pulling a water skier, or attaining greater speeds, or fighting a fast tide, but it won’t make a difference whether it’s on an
or an
.
Just my opinion.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:58 am
by Russ
What is your "project" boat?
Why the Mac???
It's a specialized compromise boat. If I were starting from scratch and just a power boat, I'd probably buy a pure power boat.
I'm sure Roger bragged about every new boat design, but honestly, I doubt there is a substantial difference between the X & M.
BOTH are wet boats under power, especially in any kind of headwind.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 6:31 am
by dlandersson
That wasn't a documentary?
NiceAft wrote: ↑Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:37 am
Remember, he was the guy who showed a Ford Escort attached to a MacGregor trailer.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 6:33 am
by dlandersson
FWIW, there was a guy up in Washington State that converted X's into "Trailer Crusers". Either one should work fine. The M has more room inside, the X has the bigger coackpit (and head).
Russ wrote: ↑Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:58 am
What is your "project" boat?
Why the Mac???
It's a specialized compromise boat. If I were starting from scratch and just a power boat, I'd probably buy a pure power boat.
I'm sure Roger bragged about every new boat design, but honestly, I doubt there is a substantial difference between the X & M.
BOTH are wet boats under power, especially in any kind of headwind.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 2:05 pm
by NiceAft
dlandersson wrote: ↑Fri Aug 11, 2023 6:31 am
That wasn't a documentary?
NiceAft wrote: ↑Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:37 am
Remember, he was the guy who showed a Ford Escort attached to a MacGregor trailer.
In one of his brochures, he showed a Ford Escourt attached to a trailer holding a Mac. At the time, I was looking to purchase a new Mac. I mentioned this photo to the dealer I was speaking to at the time. He told me that he too mentioned this to MacGregor. When asked how did he get an Escort to tow a Mac, Roger responded “I didn’t tell the Escourt.” Told to me by the dealer.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 7:38 pm
by vas
dlandersson wrote: ↑Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:33 am
Ok, the "better V hull" (15 degrees) is for better
sailing, not "rough waters".
From the prospective of planing hull(both Macs have planning hulls, right?) the more degrees V the better is stability in choppy seas and less pounding. I currently have a powerboat which has a better V than my friend's boat. And I feel the difference when we go under motor in choppy waters. I can upgrade or alter some parts in both M and X, but cannot change the V-degree of the hull, that's why I wondering if there is a SIGNIFICANT difference in choppy seas if they both go under motor in planing mode (not at hull speed)? Thanks!
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 7:46 pm
by vas
Russ wrote: ↑Fri Aug 11, 2023 5:58 am
What is your "project" boat?
Why the Mac???
It's a specialized compromise boat. If I were starting from scratch and just a power boat, I'd probably buy a pure power boat.
I'm sure Roger bragged about every new boat design, but honestly, I doubt there is a substantial difference between the X & M.
BOTH are wet boats under power, especially in any kind of headwind.
Thank you for the reply! I was thinking to start with 'pure' powerboat, but anything close to Mac's interior space/ layout / size will be at least twice weight. My goal is to stay in 3500lb for easy trailering and have a powerboat with spacious interior and full-functional head for 2-3 days cruises. I have a wife and 2 kids, so both Mac's look suitable for us. The plan is cruising on Great Lakes and maybe (maybe!) once a year bring it to Florida for coastal cruising. I'm planning to remove everything related to sailing and install a custom hardtop for the cockpit to make it more functional. If you can advice some powerboats that can stay in ~3500lb and be as functional as MacGregor's please let me know!
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2023 7:50 pm
by vas
NiceAft wrote: ↑Fri Aug 11, 2023 4:37 am
Do you intend on doing long cruises, or just daily run abouts
When it comes to the interior, there is a difference, but you already have a preference.
When MacGregor was marketing the
, he said it was faster; he never said by how much. If it was significant, he would have said what that difference is. Remember, he was the guy who showed a Ford Escort attached to a MacGregor trailer.
Both are wet boats (spray raining into the cockpit when speeding through choppy water).
Hull speed on both is about six MPH. I have a 50HP FOUR stroke. That 100HP motor will only be better when pulling a water skier, or attaining greater speeds, or fighting a fast tide, but it won’t make a difference whether it’s on an
or an
.
Just my opinion.
Thanks for the reply! I'm thinking about 2-3 days cruises, camping style. 90-100hp for greater speeds, that's right. I did my homework and read everything related to interior differences
So the only thing that's still not clear for me - is there a substaintial difference between X and M when planing full speed in relatively choppy waters (due to 15 degree V difference)?
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2023 5:46 am
by Be Free
I've motored my "X" in small craft warning conditions for hours at a time. It is not pleasant and there is no way I would have been planing in those conditions. At no time was I concerned that the boat could not handle the conditions.
Your maximum speed is going to be dictated by the wave period. If you try to go too fast you will just pound the boat down off the tops of the waves and into the face of the oncoming wave. You will probably shake lots of things loose. There are items on both boats that are held together with screws directly into the fiberglass. The screws are going to shake out eventually.
The front hatch is not designed to seal against repeated occurrences of green water coming over the bow and the v berth will get wet. If the wave does not come over the bow the boat has an amazing talent for placing most of the wave directly on the stern seat where you will be sitting.
The boat is capable of taking more abuse than you will be willing to endure but you will have to fix things if you try to use it like a small "cigarette boat". It's not going to be leaping from wave to wave without breaking something.
That said, if you choose to run at a reasonable speed and try to stay out of areas with an active small craft warning either boat has been shown to make a good trawler for reasonably comfortable long distance travel.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2023 7:40 am
by beechkingd
I would look for a power boat. X&M's aren't really good sailboats or powerboats, they fit in the middle because they're compromises of both. They aren't comfortable at anchor and a proper power boat will work better in every regard if that's all you want to do. If you plan to tow it to FL buy a better tow vehicle that can pull a heavier boat.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2023 8:40 am
by leefrankpierce
Ok, enough with the neg thoughts.
While I have never been in our around an M, I believe the cost and light weight for towing coupled with the relatively heavy weight once you put the water ballast in will make a super motor cruiser. To me the option to be light weight in calm, or heavy in rough makes the boat a great choice.
I have a old Evenrude V4 120 hp 2 stroke and it fits like it was designed there though a carb 2 stroke may not be for everyone.
Fully loaded with balast in I hit 20 mph (gps on my phone), when I dump the water it is much faster, but I never measured. I can say the engine gets to redline and I have made a few bass boats shut down in disgust. I guess they could not deal with a mast overtaking them.
Some mods will be needed, the freeboard causes it to be unmanageable without the centerboard down.
The hull seems designed to turn on the centerboard, so it would need chines added to provide steerage at slow speeds.
I remember someone added simple wooden ones to the back.
To me, something simular to Bilge Keels would make it ideal and cut down on some of the rocking as they would act as stabilizers.
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2023 10:45 am
by Russ
leefrankpierce wrote: ↑Sat Aug 12, 2023 8:40 am
Some mods will be needed, the freeboard causes it to be unmanageable without the centerboard down.
The hull seems designed to turn on the centerboard, so it would need chines added to provide steerage at slow speeds.
I remember someone added simple wooden ones to the back.
To me, something simular to Bilge Keels would make it ideal and cut down on some of the rocking as they would act as stabilizers.
Agreed. The Dagger/Board seems essential for slow speed docking etc.
I believe Ixneigh installed some chines on his boat to solve this problem.
More here
viewtopic.php?t=28081&hilit=chines
Re: Macgregor 26X or 26M as a motor cruiser only - which one to choose?
Posted: Sat Aug 12, 2023 5:27 pm
by vas
Be Free wrote: ↑Sat Aug 12, 2023 5:46 am
I've motored my "X" in small craft warning conditions for hours at a time. It is not pleasant and there is no way I would have been planing in those conditions. At no time was I concerned that the boat could not handle the conditions.
Your maximum speed is going to be dictated by the wave period. If you try to go too fast you will just pound the boat down off the tops of the waves and into the face of the oncoming wave. You will probably shake lots of things loose. There are items on both boats that are held together with screws directly into the fiberglass. The screws are going to shake out eventually.
The front hatch is not designed to seal against repeated occurrences of green water coming over the bow and the v berth will get wet. If the wave does not come over the bow the boat has an amazing talent for placing most of the wave directly on the stern seat where you will be sitting.
The boat is capable of taking more abuse than you will be willing to endure but you will have to fix things if you try to use it like a small "cigarette boat". It's not going to be leaping from wave to wave without breaking something.
That said, if you choose to run at a reasonable speed and try to stay out of areas with an active small craft warning either boat has been shown to make a good trawler for reasonably comfortable long distance travel.
Hi Bill, thanks for your comments! I'm definitely not going to speed like crazy in rough water on this boat
And I will do a lot of serious upgrades, that's why I said it will be a "base" boat for my build. Hard top and fully enclosed fiberglass/plexiglass cockpit is one of those. So wet stern seat won't be a problem. Also, thanks you for mentioning front hatch problem - will think over how to make it more sealed. Could you tell me if the X comfortable enough on planing speeds in calm waters?