MacGregorSailors.com

I posted this in Facebook, but I’ll post it here as well for posterity. When folks put down Macs or say they’re not any good, try this argument in reply…

OK, let’s let the buying public decide…

A new 1998 Catalina 26 sailboat would have originally cost between $30,000 and $40,000, according to Seattle Yachts. A used 1998 Catalina 26 typically ranges in price from $10,000 to $25,000 depending on condition, location, and features. Essentially, a used Catalina is now worth, to your average boat buyer, about 25-30% of what you paid for it new.

A new 1998 MacGregor 26X would likely have cost around $20,000 to $25,000 USD when it was originally sold. Today, used 1998 MacGregor 26X models are typically priced between $10,000 and $18,000, depending on condition and included features. So, your used Macgregor is still worth about 50-72% of what you paid for it new, and you got to enjoy it for 27 years.

Which boat was the better deal, in the eyes of the boat buying consumers? The reality is more consumers who buy boats, prefer the Mac over nearly every other brand of boat, as proven by the fact that Macs consistently have had the highest resale percentage of any other comparable vessel.

Thanks Kmclemore!
Nice way to put it!

Nicely put

kmclemore wrote: ↑Sat Jul 26, 2025 7:03 pm The reality is more consumers who buy boats, prefer the Mac over nearly every other brand of boat, as proven by the fact that Macs consistently have had the highest resale percentage of any other comparable vessel.

I never thought of it that way. Our boats are obviously in high demand to command higher resale prices.

Nice comparison. Doubly like that you used a 1998 model since that is what I have. For what its worth, one of my daughter-in-law's brothers, a doctor, recently, after many months of researching boats, purchased a slightly used M. I'm sure he could have gone in any direction for a boat, but he chose a Mac. I'm lobbying heavily for him to join our forum. Thanks again.

1. You can legally tow it for adventures anywhere.
2. Sleeps 6? Starscream does it.
3. Put it in a slip or keep it at the house to save costs.
4. Drafts in Knee deep water (unless you have very short legs).
5. No large keel. Set it on a sand bar as the tide is going out.
6. King bed? in the back berth.

These are a few points which helped me make my decision on the Mac. Fell free to add more to this list.

I also find it interesting that the things that people usually complain about in the Mac's were conscious engineering decisions made by MacGregor allowing him to make a boat for half the price of his nearest competitors.

Tom B wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 11:03 am I also find it interesting that the things that people usually complain about in the Mac's were conscious engineering decisions made by MacGregor allowing him to make a boat for half the price of his nearest competitors.

That's true.

The price point of these boats made them affordable to people who would never have been able to own a boat.

They were bare bones, but allowed so many families to get into sailing.

Dougiestyle wrote: ↑Mon Jul 28, 2025 5:46 am 2. Sleeps 6? Starscream does it.

He's a hero. How he managed all those teens on a Mac deserves some kind of metal.

Russ wrote: ↑Thu Jul 31, 2025 4:50 pm

Dougiestyle wrote: ↑Mon Jul 28, 2025 5:46 am 2. Sleeps 6? Starscream does it.

He's a hero. How he managed all those teens on a Mac deserves some kind of metal.

I just look at them with my best bored expression and explain, “where I’m going, I don’t need good. And I also won’t see you there!”
Let someone else worry about 40 foot waves. I’ll worry about scratching the bottom on a conch.

Ix