Coming back into Wickford RI on Saturday afternoon we saw the most unusual boat. Looked to be 26' long, but something abut it wasn't quiet right. Something was missing. What was it? It was a MacGregor without its mast. Tried to ask them what happened, however over the 50hp outboard they couldn't hear me. Seems like they gave up on the idea of a sailboat and are sticking to power only. I suggest that we now know the answer to the frequently aksed question as to "how well they do they sail? I always thought they looked odd with a mast and a 50hp outboard, let me tell you, they look even odder without a mast. Russell
- Status
Surprise
I share your opinion; I don't like the looks of the boat, either with or without a mast. However, their owners seem to absoultely love 'em. Anytime the boat is mentioned on this site, loyal owners pop up to defend and praise their boats. I've never sailed or motored on one, but I did board one at a boat show years ago; I still remember being surprised by the amount of room below.
I share your opinion; I don't like the looks of the boat, either with or without a mast. However, their owners seem to absoultely love 'em. Anytime the boat is mentioned on this site, loyal owners pop up to defend and praise their boats. I've never sailed or motored on one, but I did board one at a boat show years ago; I still remember being surprised by the amount of room below.
Very popular boat
Not only do their owners love them, but there are probably more M26's on the water than any boat made, except maybe the Catalina 22. It is weird to see a sailboat plane, though.
Not only do their owners love them, but there are probably more M26's on the water than any boat made, except maybe the Catalina 22. It is weird to see a sailboat plane, though.
Mastless Macgregors
A while back, I came across two Macgregors without masts at a local cruising destination marina. I asked one of them why no mast? He replied that they just came over for a quick weekend outing to this particular island, and chose not to step the masts. They just motored the 5 miles over. He said they do that quite often. It is, in a large part, a powerboat, and can be used for that purpose without the mast. Probably even speeds along better that way. On another note. I day sail on a local lake which has a MacGregor dealership on shore. I would often see a sales guy, with potential customers, out on their 26X demo boat. I used to like to sail closely past them in my C25, seriously out pointing, and out footing them. I imagined that the salesman was not to pleased with my antics.
A while back, I came across two Macgregors without masts at a local cruising destination marina. I asked one of them why no mast? He replied that they just came over for a quick weekend outing to this particular island, and chose not to step the masts. They just motored the 5 miles over. He said they do that quite often. It is, in a large part, a powerboat, and can be used for that purpose without the mast. Probably even speeds along better that way. On another note. I day sail on a local lake which has a MacGregor dealership on shore. I would often see a sales guy, with potential customers, out on their 26X demo boat. I used to like to sail closely past them in my C25, seriously out pointing, and out footing them. I imagined that the salesman was not to pleased with my antics.
Older Mac's sail well
We had a Mac 26D with the water ballast. We lived inland and trailered a lot. We kept the boat in the water but liked to take it on vacations. I was surprised by how well it sailed and it was pretty comfortable for a couple for several days. Until the wind got above about 15 kts it was usually the fastest sailboat on the lake. Even then off the wind with the board up it was hard to beat. But it was a cheap boat and lightly built. I never took it out in the ocean. The new 26 X looks like a joke but there are two of them at our marina and the owners seem happy. Tom
We had a Mac 26D with the water ballast. We lived inland and trailered a lot. We kept the boat in the water but liked to take it on vacations. I was surprised by how well it sailed and it was pretty comfortable for a couple for several days. Until the wind got above about 15 kts it was usually the fastest sailboat on the lake. Even then off the wind with the board up it was hard to beat. But it was a cheap boat and lightly built. I never took it out in the ocean. The new 26 X looks like a joke but there are two of them at our marina and the owners seem happy. Tom
- Status