Help me choose a boat

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Brad B

I been researching trailerable sailboats for over a year now, and now it's time to buy. My final choices are the Hunter 260 or the Macgregor 26x.I will be doing most of my sailing on a very large lake and in the Gulf of Mexico.I also want to sail to the Bahamas. The boat will be left in a slip and my familey of four will be spending most weekends on board.Any suggestions and advice would be greatly appreciated.
 
Dec 2, 1999
15,184
Hunter Vision-36 Rio Vista, CA.
A lot of used Macs on the used market.

Brad: First, I always like to argue the facts of why one THINKS that they want a trailerable sailboat. I'll let you decide this for yourself. If you look around at the used market, I think you will find that their are a LOT of used Mac26X on the market. Seems to me that a lot of the owners buy these because they really do not know what they want a powerboat or a sailboat. In my opinion they are not very good at either point. You need to be sure that you have a vehicle that is large enough to tow such a vehicle, regardless of which boat you purchase.
 
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Mike

I love mine

I also sail the Gulf Coast and Gulf of Mexico. It sure was nice to be able to put it on the trailer and get away from tropical storm Bertha. The boat works well in 4-6' seas that sail in and will get you through many of the 8 footers leaving many of the passes into the Gulf in my area. Fell free to email me if you like I have photos etc. of my Gulf trips. mmcvay@att.net
 
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Butch Berchem

Two very differnt boats, don't be confused

The 260 and the Mac 26X are two completely differnt boats. Your looking between the Mac26X which is purely a power sailor and the H-260 which is a sailing vessel. Don't confuse the two. My suggestion would be to very carefully decide just how you want to use the boat. If your going to be mostly motoring the boat and the sailing aspect is not as important then the 26X is the cear choice, however if your looking for a boat that will actually sail very well then you have no choice but the 260. The other thing to keep in mind is value. Not just what it costs to get into the boat of your choice boat what will you get out when you sell. Trust me when I say there will be a lot more people interested in a good sailing vessel then a motor sailor when it comes time to sell. And that time will come someday. You will get more for a 260 then a 26X on the backside, that's just a fact.
 
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Scott Blahnik

Brad, your in my area

and I researched this at length a couple of years ago. I went with the 270, and can't tell you what a great decision I made. I don't think I'd take either to the Bahamas, though. Plus, it sounds like you need more room than me. If you could swing it, the 290 would really be best. Hey, they finance them like cars these days, and Hunter has some 0% deal going, I recall seeing in an add. Give Govert a call over at Mid-South Sailing, he's a trustworthy and knowledgible dealer. (2288636969). Good Luck with your decision, either way you're going to enjoy it. I'll be looking for you on the river! Scott S/V Hello Dolly
 
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Crazy Dave Condon

choice

Brad; The Hunter 260 is striclty a sailboat with a displacement hull. The MacGregor is a power sailer and anytime you incopporate a planning hull(power boats) with a displacement hull, you will compromise both. The Hunter 260 will sail faster but will not under power match the speed of the MacGregor 26 X. I have alot of experience with both and that pretty much sums it up. Crazy Dave Condon
 
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Calvin

Bahamas mayby

I helped crew a boat back from the BVI this summer. As we were sailing thru the Bahamas I had the thought that this would be the ideal place to have a Mac26X because you would be able to get from island to island quickly with the motor and then have some fun sailing. I owned a 26X for about 6 months and can say with certainty that if the wind is less than 10 knots the boat is a DOG. Above that it performs OK. It is definitely lighter than a 260 and goes on and off a trailer very easily. I would have make you a good deal on mine...
 
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