MacGregorSailors.com

New here and interested in getting a boat-
Can anyone tell me what model this one is & approximate year?
Thanks so much!






It has windows in the front of the dark stripe-

ARSailor wrote: ↑Wed Jun 11, 2025 5:49 am New here and interested in getting a boat-
Can anyone tell me what model this one is & approximate year?

Hi AR,

It's a 26X, manufactured between 1995 and 2004. Based solely on the bow light position and type, I'd say it's a 97 or 98. If you take a photo of the serial number which is riveted to the aft starboard hull, we could tell you exactly. There should be another serial number plate riveted to the top of the port-side single-seat just aft of the galley.

Here is the page showing the nose-mounted bow-light ending production in 1998: https://shop.bwyachts.com/SearchResults ... ht&Submit=

The shape of the rudders can also be a tell but they aren't visible in your photo. 1997 26X rudders had a much fuller shape:
https://shop.bwyachts.com/SearchResults ... er&Submit=

The boat looks neglected. Same for the one next to it.

Fortunately, most of that junk will easily clean up. The sails look dirty too and they might take more to clean.
This could make for good negotiating.

Keep in mind, this is a powersailer and the motor is a big part of the boat and a major expense to replace/repair. Again, a good negotiating point.

Starscream wrote: ↑Wed Jun 11, 2025 6:23 am

ARSailor wrote: ↑Wed Jun 11, 2025 5:49 am New here and interested in getting a boat-
Can anyone tell me what model this one is & approximate year?

Hi AR,

It's a 26X, manufactured between 1995 and 2004. Based solely on the bow light position and type, I'd say it's a 97 or 98. If you take a photo of the serial number which is riveted to the aft starboard hull, we could tell you exactly. There should be another serial number plate riveted to the top of the port-side single-seat just aft of the galley.

Here is the page showing the nose-mounted bow-light ending production in 1998: https://shop.bwyachts.com/SearchResults ... ht&Submit=

The shape of the rudders can also be a tell but they aren't visible in your photo. 1997 26X rudders had a much fuller shape:
https://shop.bwyachts.com/SearchResults ... er&Submit=

I'm going to say a '98 based on the mast crutch position and the removable panels on the pedestal. Both were introduced as running changes in the 1998 model year. The bow light move to the pulpit was a running change that did not start until 2001. My 2001 model came with the bow light on the deck.

ARSailor,

A lot of the early models have had some useful upgrades over the years. It would be a plus if the rudders and gudgeons have been upgraded to the later (and stronger) versions.

The other 26X-specific item you will want to check when you are talking to the seller is whether the original "Morse" steering (drum and cable) has been replaced with rack and pinion steering.

It the boat sat... you really want to go over the outboard motor.
Compression test at min.
Also what year is the OB? Can you still get parts for it? (Does it have an OB?)
My 2004 Merc (made back them for Yamaha ) was having lots of trouble finding parts.
Ended up repowering.

Factor that into the offer.

(actually the entire marina looks neglected...lol)


AD

adudinsk wrote: ↑Thu Jun 12, 2025 4:05 am
(actually the entire marina looks neglected...lol)


AD

It sure does! Looks apocalyptic.

Dock lines have mildew on them. Docks are sagging. The boat next to it is all in disarray. ALL the boats have some mildew streaks.

It's kind of disturbing to see so much neglect, as if nobody has been there for years.

There must be a story here. Perhaps a wildfire and that's all ash?

I wish- Yes lots of neglected boats and docks here- Didn’t help they started draining our lake down by 8-12 feet every winter to kill the Hydrilla!
Thanks for all the replies!
Now just have to locate owner to see if will sell (It’s amazing that people with these obviously neglected boats refuse to sell them or want some outrageous price!)

Hi ARSailor!

Now just have to locate owner to see if will sell (It’s amazing that people with these obviously neglected boats refuse to sell them or want some outrageous price!)

I assume your in the southern Midwest … Arkansas maybe? …. Based on the “AR” in ARSailor
When I lived in Texas for over a dozen years it was funny how some folks grossly over valued things that were obviously of little value and use to them … kinda sad in someways in that they were ‘lugging around’ through life something that only weighed them down. Better to be free of it and let someone else who has the gumption and wherewithal do something useful with it.

When we adopted Over Easy we gave her a through scrub not only to clean her up but to familiarize ourselves with all her nooks and crannies. Our PO (previous owners) were wonderful people and had done a good job of taking care of her and keeping her clean so it wasn’t as much of a task as you may be facing.

If it’s any help might we share our original clean up process …..

The grunge will clean off with a 10-to-15% bleach water soak, scrub and light power washing. (Be gentle with the power washing!)
The interior on a Mac26X is all fiberglass surfaces so it also cleans up nicely with the bleach water and rinse (though I wouldn’t use a power washer on the interior).
The cushions are all easily removable and are originally zippered slip covers over foam. For the fabric interior cushions wraps a gentle wash cycle or two with non chlorine all fabric stuff like Clorox 2 and Tide should clean up the covers… DONT TUMBLE DRY —- HANG DRY!!! For the exterior cockpit cushion wraps a good wipe down with bleach water and a good rinse should do wonders for cleaning them up. HANG DRY ONLY!

The actual interior cushion foam pieces will most likely look terrible but you can clean them up by investing in a big plastic wash bucket (or new 45 gallon plastic trash can like we did), a good bit of Dawn Dish Soap, and lots of warm water changes will help get them cleaned up. The wash water may go black the first time or two through this hand wash process but they will eventually rinse clear. Don’t wring them as that may tear up the foam. We laid them out in the driveway to drain the hung them over the deck railings to dry out throughly in the sun.

The covers and foam inserts are all unique so be patient in getting them matched when putting them back together.
We chose to throughly spray down everything with Lysol spray to help freshen things up as we put them back together.

There are multiple interior cover plates to access the below deck spaces to help cleaning out the bilges. The fiberglass in the bilges can be a bit rough so we used heavy work canvas gloves over heavy disposable Nitrile gloves to scrub down what we could reach by hand or with various brushes with soapy bleach water and rinsed with fresh water. We used a small wet/dry shop vac to empty the wash and rinse water.
We also had the companionway and foredeck hatch open with box fans running for lots of ventilation.

Yeah, it was a thing to do but it all worked out good! Just like brand new!

We maintain the interior with annual full wipe down of the interior surfaces and lightly spray the bilge areas with the 10-to-15% bleach water at the start of season to keep things fresh and mildew free.

Hope things work out for you!

Best Regards,
Over Easy

AR is correct. This is a 97-98 model. The tell,tell sign are the cleats however. It wasn’t until 99 that the SS cleats came out. I bought a 99x brand new in May of 99. I had all the improvements that can be found. Including the foam core roof. Including those after 2000. With the exception of the pulpit mounted nav light. I still had the bow mounted light. The pulpit mounted nav light didn’t come out until 2000. How I was able to get those 2000+ improvements bewilders me.

Take a good look at the bottom if it is ever out of the water. I had my brand new 99 spent its first summer in a slip at the marina. I had put a liquid (wax type) barrier coat on the bottom. When I pulled it out in the fall it had blisters all over the bottom. 1000 the shop said. It cost my $3500. to have repaired. If the bottom doesn’t have a barrier coat and anti foulant on it I’d take a real good look.

I had my son and his friends (teenagers) out on my 97X today. One of the main reasons I got it. They seem to have had a pretty good time.

I had some moments while they were eating at the local marina cafe to just chill and look my X over. It's held up pretty well, looks good, etc. Very pleased I bought it 15 years ago.

capncarp wrote: ↑Fri Jun 20, 2025 2:03 pm AR is correct. This is a 97-98 model. The tell,tell sign are the cleats however. It wasn’t until 99 that the SS cleats came out. I bought a 99x brand new in May of 99. I had all the improvements that can be found. Including the foam core roof. Including those after 2000. With the exception of the pulpit mounted nav light. I still had the bow mounted light. The pulpit mounted nav light didn’t come out until 2000. How I was able to get those 2000+ improvements bewilders me.