I have a rigging question

[Rainbowcrystalkitchen04@yahoo]

I saw something on craigslist that sounds alot like that but I can't find it now

 

[Rainbowcrystalkitchen04@yahoo]

There's a 19' macgregor powersailer for sale on the seattle craigslist

 

[Jim26m]

There's a 19' macgregor powersailer for sale on the seattle craigslist

Earlier, smaller version. Same basic concept. Equally despised...

 

[dlochner]

As to why it's despised, you'd have to ask someone who despises them. Mine suits me just fine.

Despised is a strong word, not sure that many despise the Mac 26M I think it is more that the entire Macgregor/Venture line is not held in high regard. These boats were entry level boats suited for protected waters and as they say "built to a price."

As with most things produced by humans there is a wide range of quality and aesthetics in the sailing world. At the high end we see custom and semi-custom boats like Hinckleys and Morrises, at the other end boat lines like MacGreggors and Ventures. In between are a host of other brands of varying quality production boats, Beneteau, Catalina, Pearson, Tartan, Sabre, O'Day etc.. It is all similar to cars, there are high end cars like Mercedes and BMW and low end cars like the Yugo (remember them?) and Edsels. In between are the Chevys, Fords, Chryslers etc.

For some like @Jim26m the Mac 26 is a perfect boat, for others it is not. Different folks, different strokes.

 

[dLj]

Take a look and get a feel for it. Figure out if it's got a clean title and if there are other expenses involved. If it passes those tests, get a surveyor that knows ferrocement and get it surveyed. You will have to spend some money to make sure the boat is safe, and at least minimally ready for the trip. I know squat about ferrocement boats. A good surveyor will be able to advise you about what you need to do to the boat. Then, you can make an informed decision about buying it.

First- I'm going to openly admit I am strongly biased - against ferrocement, so take what I say with a grain of salt, I'll try to give my opinion with as much open-mindedness as my bias permits.

Ferrocement cannot be inspected. There are no technologies that exist that can evaluate the structural integrity, or not, of the hull. While there are also limitations of other materials hulls are made from, there is also a lot more supporting information surrounding them that allows for much more informed decisions. The difficulty, and I'm not saying this is going to be the problem with that specific boat, is that when ferrocement fails, it typically fails catastrophically. As in - your boat likely sinks. Now, there are well made ferrocement boats, and they are great. But I would never feel confident in a ferrocement boat.

The second part of my concern, is one day you, or your descendents, are going to sell this boat. The resale value is going to be low with fewer resale opportunities, as the boating world knows about the difficulties mentioned above.

dj

 

[Jim26m]

Despised is a strong word, not sure that many despise the Mac 26M I think it is more that the entire Macgregor/Venture line is not held in high regard. These boats were entry level boats suited for protected waters and as they say "built to a price."

As with most things produced by humans there is a wide range of quality and aesthetics in the sailing world. At the high end we see custom and semi-custom boats like Hinckleys and Morrises, at the other end boat lines like MacGreggors and Ventures. In between are a host of other brands of varying quality production boats, Beneteau, Catalina, Pearson, Tartan, Sabre, O'Day etc.. It is all similar to cars, there are high end cars like Mercedes and BMW and low end cars like the Yugo (remember them?) and Edsels. In between are the Chevys, Fords, Chryslers etc.

For some like @Jim26m the Mac 26 is a perfect boat, for others it is not. Different folks, different strokes.

And, a new insult to add to the list. "Macgregor 26m, the Yugo of sailboats". (Just pulling your leg @dlochner )

 

[Rainbowcrystalkitchen04@yahoo]

Oh yes I'm familiar with the short comings of ferro or what I just call "rocks"...the only saving grace with that boat would be that it was professionally engineered and constructed and not some guys back yard project...as I said I worked on a Rock one summer....and lots of people wanted me about how Rick's are prone to micro cracking which can eventually cause catastrophic failure....I wouldn't own or sail one without a life raft or dinghy...lolol

 

[dlochner]

And, a new insult to add to the list. "Macgregor 26m, the Yugo of sailboats". (Just pulling your leg @dlochner )

And like a Yugo, they don't make them any more.