Haven't done a lot of sailing yet, but my wife and I have discovered that we really enjoy it. Typically, my trips are in coastal waters, BC's gulf islands, WA's San Juans are right on our doorstep. And then there was the 10 day bareboat in the British Virgin Islands, but that's another topic. I'm really enjoying the sailing of small cruisers and would like to get something that would be good for up to a few days in the gulf islands/san juans. Would a trailerable boat like the Macgregor 26M meet my needs? Avoiding year-round moorage and the ability to take it farther afield (both over land and under power) seem like great advantages. And the accomodation looks to be very nice. But what would I be giving up? I'm sure there are lots of strong opinions out there. But I would especially appreciate comments from those who have owned and/or sailed both kinds. I'm not a racer, and pretty much a fair weather sailor, but conditions can change fast and one always has to be prepared, of course. Are the Mac's safe robust sailers in tidal waters and the always present possibility of slightly rough conditions? Hopefully this topic isn't too Macgregor oriented, but I really want to hear both sides of the story.
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Why a MacGregor?
I know you can put a much larger engine on the MacGregor but, if it was me, I'd look around for a used Hunter 260 water ballasted boat. She comes with a mast raising system that one man can handle and, after dumping the ballast, she is easier to haul. Her sailing characteristics and accomodations are much better too.
I know you can put a much larger engine on the MacGregor but, if it was me, I'd look around for a used Hunter 260 water ballasted boat. She comes with a mast raising system that one man can handle and, after dumping the ballast, she is easier to haul. Her sailing characteristics and accomodations are much better too.
Are there others?
Thanks, Steve, this is one of the kinds of responses I was hoping for. Didn't know where I might find other kinds of trailerables. I'll look the Hunter 260 up. Are there others?
Thanks, Steve, this is one of the kinds of responses I was hoping for. Didn't know where I might find other kinds of trailerables. I'll look the Hunter 260 up. Are there others?
This site has alot of info
Try Trailersailors. com It had lots of info there that helped me narrow down the boat we wanted. Good luck! (link thing isn't working right, delete the space between . and com)
Try Trailersailors. com It had lots of info there that helped me narrow down the boat we wanted. Good luck! (link thing isn't working right, delete the space between . and com)
Love fixed keel hunter
I love the way my fixed keel hunter handles on the water,but I almost bought a 260 so I know how great it is to trailer to different places. I some times wish I could trailer my boat,but a fixed keel will handle much better when the winds pickup it can be a tuff decision to make. I love my hunter but check out the catalina's 22 also I have friends that love them but always want to go bigger after they go sailing on my hunter 290 so good luck what ever you decide. nick
I love the way my fixed keel hunter handles on the water,but I almost bought a 260 so I know how great it is to trailer to different places. I some times wish I could trailer my boat,but a fixed keel will handle much better when the winds pickup it can be a tuff decision to make. I love my hunter but check out the catalina's 22 also I have friends that love them but always want to go bigger after they go sailing on my hunter 290 so good luck what ever you decide. nick
Another Consideration
When you get to this sized boat, you must also consider the vehicle required to tow it. When you get to the 25' fixed keel range, you are looking at about 7,000 lbs (boat, gear, trailer, etc) and that just about means a 3/4 ton truck.
When you get to this sized boat, you must also consider the vehicle required to tow it. When you get to the 25' fixed keel range, you are looking at about 7,000 lbs (boat, gear, trailer, etc) and that just about means a 3/4 ton truck.
If you haven't done a lot of sailing.....
and unless money is no object, try an older Lancer 25. I tow mine from the mountains of New Mexico to the Sea of Cortez. She displaces 3600LBs with a 1300 LB lead shoal keel. She trailers behind a 1/2ton truck and can be launched at most deeper ramps. For just two people, she has a lot of room and 6'2" head room in the galley. Of course everybody likes their own boat but the first time I got her into a little blow in Baja, I was very happy at how forgiving of my lack of experience she was. Check out www.lancerowners.com for more info.
and unless money is no object, try an older Lancer 25. I tow mine from the mountains of New Mexico to the Sea of Cortez. She displaces 3600LBs with a 1300 LB lead shoal keel. She trailers behind a 1/2ton truck and can be launched at most deeper ramps. For just two people, she has a lot of room and 6'2" head room in the galley. Of course everybody likes their own boat but the first time I got her into a little blow in Baja, I was very happy at how forgiving of my lack of experience she was. Check out www.lancerowners.com for more info.
Try the Smaller Boats Forum
Lots of Hunter trailerables there. Other large trailerables include Precision 23, Beneteau First 23.5, S2 2.7, Venture 25, Hunter 29, ComPac 23, Seaward Fox 24 and the list goes on. To get an idea of what's REALLY out there, try www.boattraderonline.com or any large website selling boats. Set the filters for every boat in the country between 20 ft and 30 ft with a trailer and no uper or lower limit on price and see what happens. You will be pleasantly surprised. Most of these ads have pictures too. Once you see a boat that interests you, try and find websites (like this one) where you can see the good, the bad and the ugly about the boat. You want to hear from owners, not salespeople or manufacturers. One caveat...no two people will feel exactly the same about the same boat. Good luck! Peter H23 "Raven"
Lots of Hunter trailerables there. Other large trailerables include Precision 23, Beneteau First 23.5, S2 2.7, Venture 25, Hunter 29, ComPac 23, Seaward Fox 24 and the list goes on. To get an idea of what's REALLY out there, try www.boattraderonline.com or any large website selling boats. Set the filters for every boat in the country between 20 ft and 30 ft with a trailer and no uper or lower limit on price and see what happens. You will be pleasantly surprised. Most of these ads have pictures too. Once you see a boat that interests you, try and find websites (like this one) where you can see the good, the bad and the ugly about the boat. You want to hear from owners, not salespeople or manufacturers. One caveat...no two people will feel exactly the same about the same boat. Good luck! Peter H23 "Raven"
Trailering is a huge advantage
For right now, Trailering, for me, is a huge advantage. You avoid expensive slip fees, you have the ability to keep the original gel coat on the boat (no bottom maintenance), you can pull the boat to do repairs really easily, and you can pull the boat at a remote location should any problems arise. For example, I was 40 miles up the Potomac River this year when I found out that the remains of a hurricane were going to head towards me. It would amount to three days of miserable rain. Rather than being held up in a cove, I went to a close by Marina and met my brother there. I got my truck and trailer and pulled my boat home instead of sailing it home. I am not a huge fan of the new Macs. They are not nearly as beamy as the Hunter 260. I have a Hunter 22. I have been out for 10 days on it this summer and it did well. It has weathered 25 knots steady on the bow and three feet steep waves this summer and it did fine (a little nerve racking though). What it all boils down to is what do you want to do. If you are going to be cruising and trailering, stay with a boat around 5,000 lbs. Water ballest is a great thing for this. Fixed keels might require greater water depths to launch (another consideration). Trailering is a great thing, especially when you first get started. Good luck, have fun, and e-mail me if you have any questions.
For right now, Trailering, for me, is a huge advantage. You avoid expensive slip fees, you have the ability to keep the original gel coat on the boat (no bottom maintenance), you can pull the boat to do repairs really easily, and you can pull the boat at a remote location should any problems arise. For example, I was 40 miles up the Potomac River this year when I found out that the remains of a hurricane were going to head towards me. It would amount to three days of miserable rain. Rather than being held up in a cove, I went to a close by Marina and met my brother there. I got my truck and trailer and pulled my boat home instead of sailing it home. I am not a huge fan of the new Macs. They are not nearly as beamy as the Hunter 260. I have a Hunter 22. I have been out for 10 days on it this summer and it did well. It has weathered 25 knots steady on the bow and three feet steep waves this summer and it did fine (a little nerve racking though). What it all boils down to is what do you want to do. If you are going to be cruising and trailering, stay with a boat around 5,000 lbs. Water ballest is a great thing for this. Fixed keels might require greater water depths to launch (another consideration). Trailering is a great thing, especially when you first get started. Good luck, have fun, and e-mail me if you have any questions.
I have owned both -
I owned a Mac26X for three years and enjoyed it greatly. Once you learn to handle this boat, it can take a lot. I sailed it in Lake Michigan in 6 - 8 footers on numerous occaisions. Like all light boats, you will take a beating when it is rough but our boat held up well and I never felt unsafe. Trailering is a breeze and the boat is easy to launch. If you put a big 50 hp motor on it you can do about 14 mph w/o ballast under normal conditions. You can't do that in a Hunter, and I don't believe they sail any better either. You will not do that speed in rough water, nor will you want to. If you are considering one, find one to rent or take one for a sale. Currently, I own a fixed keel boat that I can't trailer and while I enjoy the sailing characteristics of my boat, I miss the moveability of the smaller boat. John
I owned a Mac26X for three years and enjoyed it greatly. Once you learn to handle this boat, it can take a lot. I sailed it in Lake Michigan in 6 - 8 footers on numerous occaisions. Like all light boats, you will take a beating when it is rough but our boat held up well and I never felt unsafe. Trailering is a breeze and the boat is easy to launch. If you put a big 50 hp motor on it you can do about 14 mph w/o ballast under normal conditions. You can't do that in a Hunter, and I don't believe they sail any better either. You will not do that speed in rough water, nor will you want to. If you are considering one, find one to rent or take one for a sale. Currently, I own a fixed keel boat that I can't trailer and while I enjoy the sailing characteristics of my boat, I miss the moveability of the smaller boat. John
Hunter vs. MacGregor
I've owned a MacGregor 26 S (swing keel) and a Hunter 23 (wing keel). From my perspective, the Hunter is vastly superior. It sails better, is a smoother ride, has better hardware, and is generally better made. The idea behind MacGregors, as I understand it, is to give owners the biggest boat they can for the price. They definitely succeed at this, but I was not comfortable looking around and realizing that everything on the boat was chosen for its cost, not its function . My opinion, not intended to offend.
I've owned a MacGregor 26 S (swing keel) and a Hunter 23 (wing keel). From my perspective, the Hunter is vastly superior. It sails better, is a smoother ride, has better hardware, and is generally better made. The idea behind MacGregors, as I understand it, is to give owners the biggest boat they can for the price. They definitely succeed at this, but I was not comfortable looking around and realizing that everything on the boat was chosen for its cost, not its function . My opinion, not intended to offend.
25' Range
If you want to be a true sailor, get a Catalina 22 or 25 or a similar size Hunter. I'm a Catalina guy, so that is what I would want. I considered getting a Mac several years ago, and opted insead for a Catalina 25. Since the Mac is part sail and part power, it does neither very well...it is limited by the laws of physics. The characteristics of the boat required for sailing are different than the characteristics required for power boating. For this reason, I had a power boat and the sailboat for a number of years. IMHO, the best situation is to either have two boats (one of each) or decide which you prefer and get a really nice model of that type. I opted for sail and got a much bigger Catalina. What ever you do, have fun...that's what it's all about.
If you want to be a true sailor, get a Catalina 22 or 25 or a similar size Hunter. I'm a Catalina guy, so that is what I would want. I considered getting a Mac several years ago, and opted insead for a Catalina 25. Since the Mac is part sail and part power, it does neither very well...it is limited by the laws of physics. The characteristics of the boat required for sailing are different than the characteristics required for power boating. For this reason, I had a power boat and the sailboat for a number of years. IMHO, the best situation is to either have two boats (one of each) or decide which you prefer and get a really nice model of that type. I opted for sail and got a much bigger Catalina. What ever you do, have fun...that's what it's all about.
Water ballast vs. metal in a trailer sailor
We havs owned three boats in our short sailing lives. A 26 Hunter, a 38 Island Packet and a 22 Catalina. The 95 Hunter 26 was a water ballasted boat and within reason she was very nice. Easily towed with our 1/2 ton 4x4. That's the beauty of water ballast, you leave the ballast at the lake. The trailer was a double axle. The boat has massive cabin and cockpit room, but is somewhat light in rough seas and high winds as in 20 to 30 kts. I would not sail her in the open ocean but many do. Our second boat was a 1990 38' Island Packet that we just sold after 2 years of living aboard and sailing in the Gulf, Keys and Islands. THAT is a big water boat but, alas, the body failed and we had to return. We now sail a 1980 22' Catalina with a swing keel. She has hanked on sails and a heavy centerboard type keel and is really too much fun to be legal. With that type sail plan you can quickly suitup for any wind or seas and it is very easly trailered and launched. You might prefer the Catalina 25 or 250 with a fixed keel or wing keel. After sailing the catalina I don't think I would ever go back to water ballast. My thoughts about MacGregors are along the lines of "Have you looked at Catalinas yet?" Hope this helps. Ray
We havs owned three boats in our short sailing lives. A 26 Hunter, a 38 Island Packet and a 22 Catalina. The 95 Hunter 26 was a water ballasted boat and within reason she was very nice. Easily towed with our 1/2 ton 4x4. That's the beauty of water ballast, you leave the ballast at the lake. The trailer was a double axle. The boat has massive cabin and cockpit room, but is somewhat light in rough seas and high winds as in 20 to 30 kts. I would not sail her in the open ocean but many do. Our second boat was a 1990 38' Island Packet that we just sold after 2 years of living aboard and sailing in the Gulf, Keys and Islands. THAT is a big water boat but, alas, the body failed and we had to return. We now sail a 1980 22' Catalina with a swing keel. She has hanked on sails and a heavy centerboard type keel and is really too much fun to be legal. With that type sail plan you can quickly suitup for any wind or seas and it is very easly trailered and launched. You might prefer the Catalina 25 or 250 with a fixed keel or wing keel. After sailing the catalina I don't think I would ever go back to water ballast. My thoughts about MacGregors are along the lines of "Have you looked at Catalinas yet?" Hope this helps. Ray
Hello Ray and welcome back!
Nice to read your posts again after a near on two year absence. Could you email me re Island Packet.
Nice to read your posts again after a near on two year absence. Could you email me re Island Packet.
Thanks for great responses
Just to say thanks to all who have or will respond. I continue to read this thread with great interest. I hope to visit a hunter dealership this weekend and see what they have to say about their trailerable. Also will look at Catalina's. Just knowing what is out there has helped immensely as I now recognize more possibilities when I read used listings. WRT trailering, if I were to choose that option it would have to be a retractable keel and an easy mast up/down system. Otherwise the advantage of trailering/storage etc. would be largely lost. Also, if a lead keel is retractable, does that usually make the boat too heavy to trailer with our Hundai Santa Fe SUV?
Just to say thanks to all who have or will respond. I continue to read this thread with great interest. I hope to visit a hunter dealership this weekend and see what they have to say about their trailerable. Also will look at Catalina's. Just knowing what is out there has helped immensely as I now recognize more possibilities when I read used listings. WRT trailering, if I were to choose that option it would have to be a retractable keel and an easy mast up/down system. Otherwise the advantage of trailering/storage etc. would be largely lost. Also, if a lead keel is retractable, does that usually make the boat too heavy to trailer with our Hundai Santa Fe SUV?
I would check
your owners manual for the tow rating of your vehicle. It may be something like 2500-3000 lbs which puts a lot of trailerable boats out of range. I have a 1/2 ton 4X4 pickup and it is rated to tow 6000 lbs. I have towed that much but it was a nail biter the whole time.
your owners manual for the tow rating of your vehicle. It may be something like 2500-3000 lbs which puts a lot of trailerable boats out of range. I have a 1/2 ton 4X4 pickup and it is rated to tow 6000 lbs. I have towed that much but it was a nail biter the whole time.
FYI
The Hunter 240 weighs 2830 lbs empty + Hunter's estimate of 1850 lbs for people & gear minus 350 for people = ready to tow weight of approx 4330 lbs. Personally I know I don't have 1500 lbs of gear, water, fuel, food etc on our 34 ft'er so I think you could likely estimate half of that and you would be safe... Another resource you might check are my friends on www.trailersailor.com, tell em David sent ya! Cheers from your neighbour David
The Hunter 240 weighs 2830 lbs empty + Hunter's estimate of 1850 lbs for people & gear minus 350 for people = ready to tow weight of approx 4330 lbs. Personally I know I don't have 1500 lbs of gear, water, fuel, food etc on our 34 ft'er so I think you could likely estimate half of that and you would be safe... Another resource you might check are my friends on www.trailersailor.com, tell em David sent ya! Cheers from your neighbour David
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