M25 or M26S?

me262

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Jun 2, 2004
57
Neptune 24 canyon lake, tx
Currently own a M19. Wanting a little more room. Looking at a M25 and a 26S. Both in decent shape. Decent sails, most upholstery still on board, and S has an older 6 hp tohatsu unknown condition. Possible trailer to baja Sea of Cortez later. Any thoughts on suitability or how is one better than the other? Both about same $ and cheap enough I could just buy them both and not bother yall! Lol ...thanks for the input!
 

RussC

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Sep 11, 2015
1,603
Merit 22- Oregon lakes
I've never been a big fan of water ballast (26S) but both are good boats. I've had my M25 for 8 years and she's never let me down.
 
Jun 10, 2024
138
Macgregor / Hunter M25 /Hunter 240 Okanagan Lake
We are entering the 3rd season with our Mac25 and a 5Hp Mercury 4 stroke. We’re having a hoot. Our second boat is water ballast. We have not filled it up yet lol. We ‘re a bit nervous after reading so much on water ballast but everyone that owns one loves it.

We are benefitting from having very little to compare too. :)
 
Apr 11, 2020
782
MacGregor 26s Scott's Landing, Grapevine TX
When it came time to choose a boat it came down to the 25 or the 26S for me. I went with the 26S for the following reasons:

-Queen-size berth under the cockpit. No-foot-tangling like with a V-berth
-Lighter trailering weight than the 25
-Lazarette provides the perfect place for the gas tank as well as storage for fenders and other gear
-Better minimum draft
-Simpler centerboard arrangement with less potential for problems
-Overall appearance

Possible "Pro's" for the 25:
Likely less "tippy" since the ballast is well below the waterline.
Perhaps better performance? The S# is 5.99 vs the S's 4.53, but the hull speed is the same.

I look at boats on Craigslist from time to time, and I have yet to see a boat there I would rather have. It does all the things I want it to do and I have even won some races with it. It doesn't hurt that I get lots of compliments on it, too.