2003 Mac 26M Kitchen?

[safier]

I have an opportunity to get a 2003 MacGretor 26M at a relatively low price - under $10K. But I have several concerns about layout.

The MacGregor 26M from 2003/2004 kitchen and interior table seem like a terrible design. The later design seems to be genius. How do 2003-2004 owners deal with the kitchen and how do you actually cook / prepare meals on weekend and longer outings?

Admiral says: "We don't cook, just prepare meals ahead of time." I want to do the Erie Canal in 10-14+ days. On the Chesapeake Bay,

 

[rgranger]

The Erie Canal is not on the Chesapeake Bay.

 

[dlochner]

The Erie Canal is not on the Chesapeake Bay.

I think he didn't finish the last sentence.

Anyway, the whole Erie Canal from Waterford to Tonawanda can be done in 10-14 days.

 

[shemandr]

I'm giving the benefit of doubt and think OP meant he wants to do Erie Canal and 10 -14 days in the Chesapeake. But I admit it is less than clear.
The Admiral is correct in that you would rely more on pre-prepared meals for the first five days so - you need a very good cooler. And everything should be frozen. Throw in some grilling and the "Kitchen" pales in importance. And if visiting port you'll want to do some local food.
We've done a two week cruise without a real galley. And on another trip six days non-stop with frozen meals (Boat had a freezer) and ate like kings with only a crappy butane camping stove.
That's not even getting into the freeze dried arena.
Do some backpacking and that Mac kitchen will look like luxury.

 

[rgranger]

And everything should be frozen.

and instead of wasting space with ice... I use frozen water bottles. When they thaw, they become drinking water.

 

[kappykaplan]

I use frozen water bottles. When they thaw, they become drinking water.

 

[shemandr]

We used to use box wine bladders which lie pretty flat and can be stacked. They have a valve which makes dispensing water easy.
I’d almost rather a quality cooler then the crappy ice box provided on most production boats - especially the camper cruisers. Spend the bucks on a Yeti or other quality cooler. And if necessary alter your galley/cabin to embrace the cooler.
One thing I like about some of the J boats I’ve sailed on is that they make no effort to have a built in cooler. The removable cooler is meant to be taken off the boat for cleaning and provisioning for the next sail. That makes sense to me.