I am looking to purchase my second sailboat(I am giving up my small dingy, ready for family sailing). Planning to get a trailer the boat rather then keep it in the water. I want to use the boat to sail in the Long Island Sound, ny(like to sail to Boston from NY one day) and will sleep on it overnight periodically with my wife and 2 children(babies). I have been looking at the Catalina 250 as well as the MacGregor 26. Which one would those of you with experience recommend? All thoughts and opinions appreciated. JHXYZ
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Both are good boats........
I was thinking, your tow vehicle and launch ramps. Which one is heavier? I bet the Catalina is. We love our Mac26d. Easy to tow and launch and retrieve with our SUV Mazda Tribute. Great camper, stepson and I love to fish overnight on it. (plus the girls usally stay home for this one, he loves that!) Good Luck.
I was thinking, your tow vehicle and launch ramps. Which one is heavier? I bet the Catalina is. We love our Mac26d. Easy to tow and launch and retrieve with our SUV Mazda Tribute. Great camper, stepson and I love to fish overnight on it. (plus the girls usally stay home for this one, he loves that!) Good Luck.
sailing conditions
Hello, What conditions do you plan on sailing in? The Sound (as evidenced by October and November) can get rough. IMHO, a Catalina 25 can handle rougher conditions better than the Mac. If you don't plan on sailing unless the weather is sunny and calm I guess it doesn't matter. However, if you will be out there when the wind picks up and the waves ge to 2-4', I would rather be on the Catalina. One last note, neither boat is going to be a lot of fun to trailer. Plan on at least 1 hour to launch and another hour to recover. Last year I sailed a Catalina 22 that we trailered each time. Having to rig the boat, and keep the kids (son age 2, girls 6 and 9) happy was not easy. Even worse was the end of the day when everyone was tired. This year we put the boat on a mooring and it was much better. Good luck, Barry
Hello, What conditions do you plan on sailing in? The Sound (as evidenced by October and November) can get rough. IMHO, a Catalina 25 can handle rougher conditions better than the Mac. If you don't plan on sailing unless the weather is sunny and calm I guess it doesn't matter. However, if you will be out there when the wind picks up and the waves ge to 2-4', I would rather be on the Catalina. One last note, neither boat is going to be a lot of fun to trailer. Plan on at least 1 hour to launch and another hour to recover. Last year I sailed a Catalina 22 that we trailered each time. Having to rig the boat, and keep the kids (son age 2, girls 6 and 9) happy was not easy. Even worse was the end of the day when everyone was tired. This year we put the boat on a mooring and it was much better. Good luck, Barry
C25
The Mac is designed as half sailboat and half powerboat, as a result it does neither very well. The characteristics that make it good for one, make it bad for the other, and vice versa. As a sailboat, the C25 is hands down the better of the two boats. It also has a great forum... http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/
The Mac is designed as half sailboat and half powerboat, as a result it does neither very well. The characteristics that make it good for one, make it bad for the other, and vice versa. As a sailboat, the C25 is hands down the better of the two boats. It also has a great forum... http://www.catalina25-250.org/forum/
sailing conditions
Thank you all for your insight!!! I would definly consider dock the boat...and put out from water at the end of season. Long Island sound can get rough... I have never looked into Hunter 26. How's Hunter 26 compares to Cat? Thanks in advance! Jhxyz
Thank you all for your insight!!! I would definly consider dock the boat...and put out from water at the end of season. Long Island sound can get rough... I have never looked into Hunter 26. How's Hunter 26 compares to Cat? Thanks in advance! Jhxyz
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