I bought a 88' Macgregor last year for sailing in Lake Superior and have found that I need something other than a water ballast boat for the conditions I encounter on a regular basis. Question: What small cruising sailboat brands are out there of good quality and either a fin keel or any other keeled boat in the 26 foot range?
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We had an Oday 25
last year that we sailed on Lake Michigan. We were impressed enough with it that when we decided on a larger boat for our family of 5, we bought an Oday 34.
last year that we sailed on Lake Michigan. We were impressed enough with it that when we decided on a larger boat for our family of 5, we bought an Oday 34.
Alternative
We'll be movin' on from our Mac to a Catalina 28 Mk II in about a year having done much research. She's a beautifully rigged boat and stable.
We'll be movin' on from our Mac to a Catalina 28 Mk II in about a year having done much research. She's a beautifully rigged boat and stable.
mac and oday
I have a mac 26d 1989. I sail in the gulf. I found the boat to be built very light. I have only sailed in 2-3ft waves. I don't like the fit and finish in the mac. It just isn't real solid. I recently purchased an oday 25, 1975 from ebay. The boat is alot older but built alot stronger. It weighs twice as much as the mac and is more of a strain on the tow vehicle. But I am betting it is nicer sailing. I have had too much weather helm on the mac-even with the ida sailor's rudder.
I have a mac 26d 1989. I sail in the gulf. I found the boat to be built very light. I have only sailed in 2-3ft waves. I don't like the fit and finish in the mac. It just isn't real solid. I recently purchased an oday 25, 1975 from ebay. The boat is alot older but built alot stronger. It weighs twice as much as the mac and is more of a strain on the tow vehicle. But I am betting it is nicer sailing. I have had too much weather helm on the mac-even with the ida sailor's rudder.
Superior O'Day
Stuart... I've sailed Superior for years in boats 28' - 42'. Bigger is better! Some serious stuff can crop up. I have an O'Day 28 that sailed Superior for several years. I now have the boat closer to home (St. Croix River)but will be selling her this fall. If interested, e-mail me at: capnbruce@aol.com for details Best regards, Bruce -- Minneapolis "Second Wind"
Stuart... I've sailed Superior for years in boats 28' - 42'. Bigger is better! Some serious stuff can crop up. I have an O'Day 28 that sailed Superior for several years. I now have the boat closer to home (St. Croix River)but will be selling her this fall. If interested, e-mail me at: capnbruce@aol.com for details Best regards, Bruce -- Minneapolis "Second Wind"
I agree with Bruce
Superior is BIG! Keep that in mind while you’re shopping around. I’ve sailed the north shore for a few years now, and I gotta tell you, Bruce is correct, bigger, or at least heavier is better. The O’day is a fine boat as is it’s near cousin, the Northern. I currently have a 1974 Catalina 27. She’s wide, heavy, roomy, performs well in light air or heavy seas. There are many of these boats to be found for a reasonable price around the Great Lakes. 26’ Macs and Tanzers can be found for cheap, but by comparison, for a little more money, you get a lot more boat. Later, eh! Ferg
Superior is BIG! Keep that in mind while you’re shopping around. I’ve sailed the north shore for a few years now, and I gotta tell you, Bruce is correct, bigger, or at least heavier is better. The O’day is a fine boat as is it’s near cousin, the Northern. I currently have a 1974 Catalina 27. She’s wide, heavy, roomy, performs well in light air or heavy seas. There are many of these boats to be found for a reasonable price around the Great Lakes. 26’ Macs and Tanzers can be found for cheap, but by comparison, for a little more money, you get a lot more boat. Later, eh! Ferg
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