Hello, I am looking at buying either a Hunter 260 or a MacGregor 26M, I was wondering if anyone has had experence with both boats. Now I know this is a Hunter Forum but I thought I would try. One of the things that I am worried about is the beem of the 260. I have been reading a lot fo reviews for both boats and the MacGregor site says that most states don't allow trailers wider then 8 foot. They suggest that the MacGregor is the only trailer that can be pulled without permits. Any comments, Thanks Jason
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Frank Ladd
Go sailing
Go sailing in both boats and see which you like better. As far as the beam width issue I have never heard of anyone getting a permit to pull a Hunter 260 and I see plenty of them pulled on trailers. I'd also look at the Hunter 240 and the Catalina 250 while you are at it. I think the 260 is the best boat if you have the car to tow it. The 26X won't touch it as far as speed under sail goes. I see a lot of used 26x's out there and very few 260's so that may be a good indicator of which boat is kept longer. The 26m is the newest model and is slightly different, but I doubt they changed it enough to outsail a 260. On the positive side the 26m will be a lot lighter cost less and you don't have to worry about getting a ticket for oversized trailering without a permit. I'd be willing to bet that if you asked folks here to send you a copy of the tickets they got for being oversized that no one could produce a ticket.
Go sailing in both boats and see which you like better. As far as the beam width issue I have never heard of anyone getting a permit to pull a Hunter 260 and I see plenty of them pulled on trailers. I'd also look at the Hunter 240 and the Catalina 250 while you are at it. I think the 260 is the best boat if you have the car to tow it. The 26X won't touch it as far as speed under sail goes. I see a lot of used 26x's out there and very few 260's so that may be a good indicator of which boat is kept longer. The 26m is the newest model and is slightly different, but I doubt they changed it enough to outsail a 260. On the positive side the 26m will be a lot lighter cost less and you don't have to worry about getting a ticket for oversized trailering without a permit. I'd be willing to bet that if you asked folks here to send you a copy of the tickets they got for being oversized that no one could produce a ticket.
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crazy dave
Dearler perspective
Jason; I sell both Hunter and Catalina but at one time I did sell the Macgregor 26x. That has now changed to the 26M but the M is also a power sailer if I am correct. From experience, the Hunter 260 will out perform the MacGregor in true sailing. The MacGregor will be faster if using the 50 hp four stroke engine on the back. Basically, the Hunter is designed as a displacement hull and power boats are a plainning hull. When you try to combine a displacement and plainning hulls together, you will compromise both. Therefore, if you want true sailing performance then go with the HUnter. If you want to get from point A to point B faster, then you need to decide. Sailing to me represents having fun and getting rid of the stress and fast pace of life but with a loud engine on the back, it reminds me of a power boat that is loud and bouncy and sometimes it is not pleasurable to ride in as it reminds me of the fast pace associated with stress. Hunter is a good boat and with it you have a good dealer network that will take care of you. Like I said, I can outsail a MacGregor any day. The choice of what to do is with you. Crazy Dave Condon
Jason; I sell both Hunter and Catalina but at one time I did sell the Macgregor 26x. That has now changed to the 26M but the M is also a power sailer if I am correct. From experience, the Hunter 260 will out perform the MacGregor in true sailing. The MacGregor will be faster if using the 50 hp four stroke engine on the back. Basically, the Hunter is designed as a displacement hull and power boats are a plainning hull. When you try to combine a displacement and plainning hulls together, you will compromise both. Therefore, if you want true sailing performance then go with the HUnter. If you want to get from point A to point B faster, then you need to decide. Sailing to me represents having fun and getting rid of the stress and fast pace of life but with a loud engine on the back, it reminds me of a power boat that is loud and bouncy and sometimes it is not pleasurable to ride in as it reminds me of the fast pace associated with stress. Hunter is a good boat and with it you have a good dealer network that will take care of you. Like I said, I can outsail a MacGregor any day. The choice of what to do is with you. Crazy Dave Condon
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brown
ed
i think anyone who has had a 26.5 and sold it has regetted it. several i know sold and wished they never have. hull better built than the newer 26's and sailing wise better than many of the larger new boats. we have frequently overtaken 32', 30' and 28' of newer vintage on ordinary u.k. production sails. problem you will find a job to find one!! look further on this site and see reviews, etc. cabin layout satisfactory by modern day standards but easily upgraded without much fuss. tiller, yes - ideal for size of boat. i have seen both of which you are considering - even with 100,000 dollars to spare, we would not change our 26.5', named - in-2-deep see you on the bay!!
i think anyone who has had a 26.5 and sold it has regetted it. several i know sold and wished they never have. hull better built than the newer 26's and sailing wise better than many of the larger new boats. we have frequently overtaken 32', 30' and 28' of newer vintage on ordinary u.k. production sails. problem you will find a job to find one!! look further on this site and see reviews, etc. cabin layout satisfactory by modern day standards but easily upgraded without much fuss. tiller, yes - ideal for size of boat. i have seen both of which you are considering - even with 100,000 dollars to spare, we would not change our 26.5', named - in-2-deep see you on the bay!!
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Marcel
Do some research first
My sailing club has H-26 and Mac 26X members, and in our races the 26X just could not compete. A salesman will tell you anything about a competitor to give his product an edge, and leave out the faults of his product, and I believe the 26X has a major fault. This is not opinion, but documented fact. When high speed motoring, the 26X opens a valve on the transom and drains out all the water ballast. This allows it to develop speed, but when it stops it makes for an unstable boat. I know of at least 2 26X boats that have turned over and stayed there. Ask your salesman how many 26X capsizes have been reported. If he denies it, he is lying. Now maybe the 26M has solved that problem, and maybe not. I just did a Google search for "MacGregor 26X capsize" and got a bunch of hits. Try it. If it becomes a choice of capsizing or getting a ticket, well, I have had my H-26 since Jan. 1994 and still remain ticketless. Do some research. The link below tells about one capsize I read about.
My sailing club has H-26 and Mac 26X members, and in our races the 26X just could not compete. A salesman will tell you anything about a competitor to give his product an edge, and leave out the faults of his product, and I believe the 26X has a major fault. This is not opinion, but documented fact. When high speed motoring, the 26X opens a valve on the transom and drains out all the water ballast. This allows it to develop speed, but when it stops it makes for an unstable boat. I know of at least 2 26X boats that have turned over and stayed there. Ask your salesman how many 26X capsizes have been reported. If he denies it, he is lying. Now maybe the 26M has solved that problem, and maybe not. I just did a Google search for "MacGregor 26X capsize" and got a bunch of hits. Try it. If it becomes a choice of capsizing or getting a ticket, well, I have had my H-26 since Jan. 1994 and still remain ticketless. Do some research. The link below tells about one capsize I read about.
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george s smith
blue hull
i was looking at a 260 or Mc 26 M then cost of blue hull was the only way to get it I now have a 2001 Hunter 260. i am very pleased with it and i am glad i have it
i was looking at a 260 or Mc 26 M then cost of blue hull was the only way to get it I now have a 2001 Hunter 260. i am very pleased with it and i am glad i have it
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Steve Kamp
Hunter 260 or Macgregor 26M
Jason, I looked long and hard at both boats for the better part of two years. After numerous conversations with Mac dealers and the factory, I became convinced that they were all using the boat as a platform to sell the mercury 50 and 60 hp "bigfoot". I became aware of the changes to the 26x to 26m by researching the net and wasn't happy with the changes to the cabin, resulting in a chopped up interior. Additionally, I couldn't get a dealer to show me the boat. Hunter on the other hand, was open and forthright about the boat, the dealer support, and went an extra mile to show and demo the 240 and 260. My dealer opened up his home to me and has turned out to be a new friend. I agree with the other comments regarding sailboat vs. power sailor. I too was initially concerned about the beam and wide load permits, but have found that most state D.O.T.s have bigger fish to catch and fry. Going down the road at the legal speed limit, no one has a set of micrometer eyeballs with which to determine an additional 5.25 inches left and right of centerline. The 260 displaces more, is more stable, has more sail area, and more open room in the cabin. It sails very easily in light air. The recommended 9.9 hp pusher is more than enough to move the boat when not sailing. Steve
Jason, I looked long and hard at both boats for the better part of two years. After numerous conversations with Mac dealers and the factory, I became convinced that they were all using the boat as a platform to sell the mercury 50 and 60 hp "bigfoot". I became aware of the changes to the 26x to 26m by researching the net and wasn't happy with the changes to the cabin, resulting in a chopped up interior. Additionally, I couldn't get a dealer to show me the boat. Hunter on the other hand, was open and forthright about the boat, the dealer support, and went an extra mile to show and demo the 240 and 260. My dealer opened up his home to me and has turned out to be a new friend. I agree with the other comments regarding sailboat vs. power sailor. I too was initially concerned about the beam and wide load permits, but have found that most state D.O.T.s have bigger fish to catch and fry. Going down the road at the legal speed limit, no one has a set of micrometer eyeballs with which to determine an additional 5.25 inches left and right of centerline. The 260 displaces more, is more stable, has more sail area, and more open room in the cabin. It sails very easily in light air. The recommended 9.9 hp pusher is more than enough to move the boat when not sailing. Steve
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Brian
No problem with width
I have towed my 96 H-26 from Pensacola Fl to Michigan and up as far as Mackinac City Michigan before sailing to Mackinac Island. I have towed it over 1,500 miles so far this year. I have been passed by plenty of cops but so far none has ever given me a second look.
I have towed my 96 H-26 from Pensacola Fl to Michigan and up as far as Mackinac City Michigan before sailing to Mackinac Island. I have towed it over 1,500 miles so far this year. I have been passed by plenty of cops but so far none has ever given me a second look.
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