I have a 1996 Precision P165 that I love to sail, but it's just too small for overnighting comfortably. My wife and I would like to do more weekend lake cruising and seriously looking at a Mac 26. I've heard that the 26M is considerably better than the 26X... i that true? I plan tosingle-hand a Mac with the help of my wife. I assume that roller furling is the way to go. Is the 110 jib enough or should I go with a 130 or 150 jenny? Is a partially furled jib efficient enough? One sailmaker told me that the Mac's jib has a furler and not really a reefer, and thatthe jib should always be flown full out. Will a Dodge Dakota easily tow the Mac 26? Anyone experience any problems with the water ballast filling and draining? The ads say you can rig a Mac in 10 minutes. Is that really true? It takes me 45 minutes to rig my Precision. Any advice in looking for a used boat? Is it worth the extra money to order a new one just the way I'd like it, or buy used and make a few changes? How's the depreciation? One last question... what size outboard should I buy if I don't plan on water skiing. I'm looking to go to and from the docks before/after sailing and want control of the boat in a windy marina.
Considering a Mac Gregor 26
- Thread starter mykcoon
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That is a lot of questions!
Let's see how easy I can answer some. Engine - nothing less than 50hp, You will regret it if you go smaller and be happier if you go bigger. Manufacturer now recommends E-tec 50-60. X vs M - a very personal decision, check the layout of each and decide what suits your cruising style. We bought new, an 03M, my wife wanted a new one, not someone elses. Downside is you have to pay for all the add-ons, a used one comes with many. Water ballast filling/emptying - nothing to it when filling just need horsepower to empty it on the water. Dodge Dakota - as long as it has a class 3 tow rating. Rig in 10 minutes - in your dreams perhaps. One hour to rig and one hour to de-rig is the average. Roller furling headsail - I am still regretting not buying it at the outset five years later. Upside is I get to choose a more expensive one now that I have some experience with my needs. I started with the regular jib and soon found a genny is required for those light air days, I now have two hank-ons to convert to luff tape. The furler itself is a poor reefer for the headsail but people still use it that way. You need to have the boat rigged for single handing if that is your plan, not to difficult or expensive. My wife and I enjoy overnighting, she only insisted on pressurized water for the galley. The boat works well for this with the huge aft berth. Most of our living is done topside we only sleep below and store gear there. Depreciation??? I suppose one could argue that a comparably priced car would depreciate faster and further but a boat is not a fiancial investment, it is an investment in a lifestyle, you get your money back through enjoyment. The Macs do seem to hold their value though especially if you add lots of options and they are not comming down in price from the factory. With marinas becomming more scarce and further being filled with larger more profitable yachts trailerability is becomming more popular thereby adding to the ease of re-sale. One last thing Mine will never be fo sale!
Let's see how easy I can answer some. Engine - nothing less than 50hp, You will regret it if you go smaller and be happier if you go bigger. Manufacturer now recommends E-tec 50-60. X vs M - a very personal decision, check the layout of each and decide what suits your cruising style. We bought new, an 03M, my wife wanted a new one, not someone elses. Downside is you have to pay for all the add-ons, a used one comes with many. Water ballast filling/emptying - nothing to it when filling just need horsepower to empty it on the water. Dodge Dakota - as long as it has a class 3 tow rating. Rig in 10 minutes - in your dreams perhaps. One hour to rig and one hour to de-rig is the average. Roller furling headsail - I am still regretting not buying it at the outset five years later. Upside is I get to choose a more expensive one now that I have some experience with my needs. I started with the regular jib and soon found a genny is required for those light air days, I now have two hank-ons to convert to luff tape. The furler itself is a poor reefer for the headsail but people still use it that way. You need to have the boat rigged for single handing if that is your plan, not to difficult or expensive. My wife and I enjoy overnighting, she only insisted on pressurized water for the galley. The boat works well for this with the huge aft berth. Most of our living is done topside we only sleep below and store gear there. Depreciation??? I suppose one could argue that a comparably priced car would depreciate faster and further but a boat is not a fiancial investment, it is an investment in a lifestyle, you get your money back through enjoyment. The Macs do seem to hold their value though especially if you add lots of options and they are not comming down in price from the factory. With marinas becomming more scarce and further being filled with larger more profitable yachts trailerability is becomming more popular thereby adding to the ease of re-sale. One last thing Mine will never be fo sale!
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