I know you will think I am crazy

shanker · May 6, 2012

Hi Doc.

I sold my Mac 26X to a gentleman on his 70th birthday. His kids bought it for him. He talked about it for years and finally made his move. He was in great shape for his age. I thought he was 55 - 60 when I met him. He wanted to sail but informed me that he would really be motoring with it to cruise and fish. I don't think he put the mast up at all, he was looking for a comfy boat to spend time on the water with. Do what you have to and enjoy the water!

Shanker

r.oril · May 6, 2012

Re: I know you will think I am crazy.

Hey DocParty, I'm 70 and single hand a MacGregor 26D most of the time. Get those knees fixed and drive on. My father-in-law is on his second set of knees at 82. Drugs work great on the back, LOL!

Sail123 · May 6, 2012

Re: I know you will think I am crazy.

The X can be driven by a small outboard, I almost purchased one with a 8 hp engine. I was going to take that off and go big, but I ended up getting a larger sailboat.

The X boats are very nice, and you should love it. Much of the value of an X is tied to the big engine. If you find one with no engine, or a small engine, do not go all school girl and pay too much for her. An X at my marina just sold for $4000. They usually sell for triple that, unless you look around and price shop. You wanting a small engine should mean you can get a pretty good deal.

timebandit · May 6, 2012

Re: I know you will think I am crazy.

A boat is a boat.

Sail123 · May 6, 2012

You need a pacemaker! lol

timebandit said:
A boat is a boat.

Sumner · May 6, 2012

Re: I know you will think I am crazy.

I think you have a good plan and others have basically done what you want to do. I'd stay with the X over a newer M since the X has a swing centerboard and not a dagger board. You will probably want the CB down some while motoring to help it go straight, at least that is the case with our S. With the swing CB if it hits something it will just swing up. The swing CB would be nice exploring unfamiliar waters. Ours has saved us. I think that most of the time you will want the water ballast in to make the boat more stable feeling.

If I had one and the money I'd go two outboards. A larger 40-60 HP for some speed if I ever needed it and say a 9.8 HP Tohatsu with a lower pitch prop offset on the stern that would be used most of the time. I believe that some have done this with their X's. Ask and also post here...

http://www.macgregor26x.com/forum/index.php

You might find a good deal on an X that has a damaged mast at some point. The only real drawback that I see with the X vs. the M is the X has 5-10 headroom and the M 6 feet. There have been lots of threads on the X vs. the M on the board that I linked to above.

Have you also looked at other trailerable trawlers? There are some nice ones out there, but probably a lot more than a used X?

Sum

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NC-C320 · May 6, 2012

You plan seems completely reasonable, except, I suggest that you don't take off the sailing hardware and gear. It shouldn't get in your way (maybe store the sails at home), but other gear is already in place and it's work and expense to take it off. Then, in time, if you decide to sell the boat, you won't have to replace it. I'll be 73 soon and single hand a 32 ft. sailboat...mostly just day sail in nice weather. Sailing isn't all that hard either. Lot's of time, I and others like me will just put up the jib since it is on a roller furler which is easy to deploy and sail along at a leisurely pace, or leave sails down and use engine.

shanker · May 6, 2012

Is it me or does anyone else think that Doc is looking at an M? There are no brand new X's out there...are there? The $'s he's talking about sound like an M (new $39,000).

Shanker

navguy · May 6, 2012

Do it, they build them that way for a reason. See em all the time with no mast.

r.oril · May 6, 2012

Hey Doc, My wife give me sh** for being 200 lbs at age 70 and I am 6 foot.. Just for giggles, drop some weight, fix those knees and live to enjoy your grandkids.

Don't strip the boat, sail it!! Use just the jib as mention above. Hell, you might just like it.

OK, putting the soap box away now.

Sumner · May 6, 2012

On the difference see if this helps...

http://forums.macgregor.sailboatowners.com/showthread.php?t=103649

The X preceded the current M and the X had a swing centerboard and the M has a daggerboard. The swing CB is more foregiving if you hit something. We have an S that preceded the X. It is water ballast but is a displacement hull and won't plane, so no big motor. With the CB partially down on our boat it is much easier to steer in a straiglt line while motoring and I think that might be true with the X and possibly the M. Since the CB and/or daggerboard have no real weight the righting moment for the boats is in the water ballast.

Go to the other board that I posted a link to. Lots and lots of X and M guys there. We only run 1 outboatd, but it is off-center. I've seen X's have two. The main outboard on the center mount and then a smaller one on an added offset mount.

Good luck,

Sum

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kenn · May 6, 2012

Doc,

The Macgregor motorsailors (26X, 26M) are a very 'niche' boat. It seems people either love'em or hate'em, but there's enough that love'em that their used price seems relatively high compared to other same-sized boats - power or sail.

You might do better financially if you replace your CC with a roomy motorboat that needs an outboard, or already has the size outboard you want.

On the other hand, having a Mac X might entice you to sail, which in my humble opinion makes the boating experience that much more enjoyable.