Hi all Excuse the newbie question, but I'd like to know the key differences between the versions of the MacGregor 26. I'm interested in buying a used MacGregor 26 (in the UK) because of its trailering abilities, but I don't know what I'm comparing between 26 M, X, C, etc. I've got all the info on the 26M from the MacGregor site, so I can see that's the current model, but they don't seem to have anything about the other older variants. If anyone can give me a 'thumbnail sketch' of what was changed between models it would be most appreciated. TIA
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Here is a timeline http://macgregor-sailor.com/content/view/13/1/ This will give you information on each of the common models of this forum http://macgregor-sailor.com/content/blogcategory/21/48/
Here is a timeline http://macgregor-sailor.com/content/view/13/1/ This will give you information on each of the common models of this forum http://macgregor-sailor.com/content/blogcategory/21/48/
Differences
This is an explanation of the different models sent in I think by Mark, another person on this forum. He did it some time ago in response to a similar question. I copied and saved it because I thought it was a very good explanation of the differences in the various M26's: Prior to the 26X hybrid power sailer, MacGregor's 26' model was just called the 26. (Note: This was the first production water ballasted sailboat [1987].) Although during the first 2 to 3 years of production the 26 had a dagger board and the last 5 to 6 years it had a centerboard, the hull designation (HIN letter) for both versions of this model was "W" (for water ballasted?). (Note that MacGregor oftened introduced both minor and major modifications during a model year.) To distinguish between the dagger and centerboard versions people unofficially referred to them as 26D (dagger) and 26S (swing keel). Despite the center board vs dagger, they are otherwise the same boat and sail virtually the same. [Side note on the swing keel - The 26 never has a true "swing keel" like the 25 with its 625# weight which provided sgnificant righting force.] In 1995 (model year?) MacGregor introduced the 26X (X for experimental even though the 19 released a year or 2 earlier was the actual "experimantal" hybid.) The 26X was a radical depature from what many "purist" sailors considered a "sailboat". It could be powered by a 50HP outboard to over 20MPH. This freaked many who have no problem attaching their "pure" sailboat to the back of a land motor vehicle to accomplish the same ends: quicker access to the good sailing spots! Once the 26X came out, the older MacGregor 26S and 26D (which were limited to being ONLY sailboats) were sometimes referred to as "classics" therefore the 26C. A 26C is either a 26D or 26S but will always have a HIN designation of "W". The HIN of the 26X is "X". While the 26X had a swing-up centerboard like the 26S, in or about 2003 MacGregor released the 26M (never could figure out why the "M"). The 26M was a throw back to the 26D with a dagger board which was good. They got rid of the fiberglass hull liner which had been great for mounting things and reducing dampness in the cabin which was bad but saved a few pounds. They pushed the head back to the front where it had no head room and blocked the view out the from of the cabin which was bad. They increased the rear bunk size at the expense of the cockpit which was bad too. The interior of the 26M was changed in 2004/2005 back to the 30 year old layout of the 25. I tried to tell Roger how to fix this but he never listens to me! Anyway, that's my story of the MacGregor 26 and I'm sticking to it. Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited.
This is an explanation of the different models sent in I think by Mark, another person on this forum. He did it some time ago in response to a similar question. I copied and saved it because I thought it was a very good explanation of the differences in the various M26's: Prior to the 26X hybrid power sailer, MacGregor's 26' model was just called the 26. (Note: This was the first production water ballasted sailboat [1987].) Although during the first 2 to 3 years of production the 26 had a dagger board and the last 5 to 6 years it had a centerboard, the hull designation (HIN letter) for both versions of this model was "W" (for water ballasted?). (Note that MacGregor oftened introduced both minor and major modifications during a model year.) To distinguish between the dagger and centerboard versions people unofficially referred to them as 26D (dagger) and 26S (swing keel). Despite the center board vs dagger, they are otherwise the same boat and sail virtually the same. [Side note on the swing keel - The 26 never has a true "swing keel" like the 25 with its 625# weight which provided sgnificant righting force.] In 1995 (model year?) MacGregor introduced the 26X (X for experimental even though the 19 released a year or 2 earlier was the actual "experimantal" hybid.) The 26X was a radical depature from what many "purist" sailors considered a "sailboat". It could be powered by a 50HP outboard to over 20MPH. This freaked many who have no problem attaching their "pure" sailboat to the back of a land motor vehicle to accomplish the same ends: quicker access to the good sailing spots! Once the 26X came out, the older MacGregor 26S and 26D (which were limited to being ONLY sailboats) were sometimes referred to as "classics" therefore the 26C. A 26C is either a 26D or 26S but will always have a HIN designation of "W". The HIN of the 26X is "X". While the 26X had a swing-up centerboard like the 26S, in or about 2003 MacGregor released the 26M (never could figure out why the "M"). The 26M was a throw back to the 26D with a dagger board which was good. They got rid of the fiberglass hull liner which had been great for mounting things and reducing dampness in the cabin which was bad but saved a few pounds. They pushed the head back to the front where it had no head room and blocked the view out the from of the cabin which was bad. They increased the rear bunk size at the expense of the cockpit which was bad too. The interior of the 26M was changed in 2004/2005 back to the 30 year old layout of the 25. I tried to tell Roger how to fix this but he never listens to me! Anyway, that's my story of the MacGregor 26 and I'm sticking to it. Your mileage may vary. Void where prohibited.
Variants
Thanks for the quick responses and info, very helpful. I can see there aren't quite as many variants as the proliferation of letters suggests! I assume the major difference between the S & X was the re-arrangement of the transom to take a big OB in the centre, and thus the twin rudders and wheel instead of a single tiller. After another dig around on macgregor26.com I found this page: http://www.macgregor26.com/comparison_with_26x/comparison_26x_and_26m.htm which is the company's take on the changes from the X to M. Obviously it presents all the changes as improvements, which not everyone might agree on
. One thing in particular interests me - the auto-rotate mast. Does this make as much difference to the sailability as MacGregor claim? Cheers Rick
Thanks for the quick responses and info, very helpful. I can see there aren't quite as many variants as the proliferation of letters suggests! I assume the major difference between the S & X was the re-arrangement of the transom to take a big OB in the centre, and thus the twin rudders and wheel instead of a single tiller. After another dig around on macgregor26.com I found this page: http://www.macgregor26.com/comparison_with_26x/comparison_26x_and_26m.htm which is the company's take on the changes from the X to M. Obviously it presents all the changes as improvements, which not everyone might agree on
. One thing in particular interests me - the auto-rotate mast. Does this make as much difference to the sailability as MacGregor claim? Cheers Rick
Rotating Mast
I don't know about improved stability but I will tell you that there is an increase in speed. The rotating mast, when it works, does provide significantly better airflow across the main. The mast sits on a stack of three washers. If the standing rigging is set too tight or the washer stack is dry, the mast has a tendancy to either rotate to one side and stay there or not rotate at all. This is especially true in light wind. This is a simple maintenance issue with a few reporting it as a problem and most not having a problem. I bought an after-market ball bearing assembly that replaced the washed stack and no longer have to go forward to "help" the mast rotate.
I don't know about improved stability but I will tell you that there is an increase in speed. The rotating mast, when it works, does provide significantly better airflow across the main. The mast sits on a stack of three washers. If the standing rigging is set too tight or the washer stack is dry, the mast has a tendancy to either rotate to one side and stay there or not rotate at all. This is especially true in light wind. This is a simple maintenance issue with a few reporting it as a problem and most not having a problem. I bought an after-market ball bearing assembly that replaced the washed stack and no longer have to go forward to "help" the mast rotate.
S and X
Another big difference between the S and X is that the X has standing headroom and the S has standing headroom only when the poptop is up. I find that the poptop makes the cabin much cooler in hot weather, which we get a lot of on the Gulf Coast.
Another big difference between the S and X is that the X has standing headroom and the S has standing headroom only when the poptop is up. I find that the poptop makes the cabin much cooler in hot weather, which we get a lot of on the Gulf Coast.
Mac models
Rick, there is an M (stands for Millenium but MacGregor missed 2000 and intro'd 2003)moored in Bembridge and a number of other X's, C's, 19 etc on the IoW and around the Solent. There is also a UK Macgregor Owners Assoc at www.macgregorowners.org.uk Cheers Morris
Rick, there is an M (stands for Millenium but MacGregor missed 2000 and intro'd 2003)moored in Bembridge and a number of other X's, C's, 19 etc on the IoW and around the Solent. There is also a UK Macgregor Owners Assoc at www.macgregorowners.org.uk Cheers Morris
The 26X video
Robspan, thanks for sharing my old post. Here is the 26X video. Earlier (and later) MacGregors had eerily similar videos. http://ezrecord.com/Sailing/Mac26x.wmv Happy sails *_/), MArk
Robspan, thanks for sharing my old post. Here is the 26X video. Earlier (and later) MacGregors had eerily similar videos. http://ezrecord.com/Sailing/Mac26x.wmv Happy sails *_/), MArk
Thanks
Thanks guys (and gals?) all for the extra info. I think I came across that video somewhere else on the web, but I'd only looked at the first bit. It does go on (and on, and on, ... Quite interesting seeing all the manufacturing process though. Hi Morris - nice to see you're in Yarmouth (and the first time anyone's explained what the 'M' stands for)! Do I take it you're a MacGregor owner? If so any chance we can get together so I can learn more about these beasts? Drop me an email on rick@activeservice.co.uk. Cheers
Thanks guys (and gals?) all for the extra info. I think I came across that video somewhere else on the web, but I'd only looked at the first bit. It does go on (and on, and on, ..
. Quite interesting seeing all the manufacturing process though. Hi Morris - nice to see you're in Yarmouth (and the first time anyone's explained what the 'M' stands for)! Do I take it you're a MacGregor owner? If so any chance we can get together so I can learn more about these beasts? Drop me an email on rick@activeservice.co.uk. Cheers- Status