Still don't own the 26M yet..but working on mods to it already. Since the head is probably the worst design of the boat, plus the bow berth is too small for adults. I came up with a design that may solve both problems. (Attached a picture for review, also a link to image as well) I move the head to the wall where the sink is in the galley I Remove the door and side wall (bow side) of the head all together. Add a pocket door (cut in a shape to fit around the side seat. I figure attach the door with heavy duty drawer slides or something. This may give some room for a larger holding tank or additional storage on the starboard side. Not sure. That should take care of the head. This has got to be better than the stock set up. For the berth, I picture extending the platform back, extending to the galley wall and pocket door. Not sure if the head will be below the deck or not, if not, then just cut around it. Just lift this platform out when the head is needed (make in small sections maybe, if too large or heavy. Cushions won't be too hard to make I am sure. Like I said, this is only in the idea stage, but other M owners may find this helpful. It could be a good winter project for M owners to use or modify. Comments? Paul
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26M redo
Paul, I agree there could be a better cabin arrangement in the 26M. Because the M has only a floor liner instead of a full hull liner like the X, I believe there will be a lot of layout mods in the future. The floor liner is insubstantial and apparently can mostly be removed and replaced by custom woodwork, plastic or fiberglass to get the exact interior you want. I've even thought of relocating the head to back near the cockpit like the X. Link below. Happy sails *_/), MArk
Paul, I agree there could be a better cabin arrangement in the 26M. Because the M has only a floor liner instead of a full hull liner like the X, I believe there will be a lot of layout mods in the future. The floor liner is insubstantial and apparently can mostly be removed and replaced by custom woodwork, plastic or fiberglass to get the exact interior you want. I've even thought of relocating the head to back near the cockpit like the X. Link below. Happy sails *_/), MArk
Head mod for 26M
I agree about some of the layout. But I do like it overall. My idea was just a quickie/cheap solution. Move the head, add new door. If nothing else, to gain a bit of headroom when using the head. The boat seems pretty mod friendly from what I have seen. So anyone should be able to get the boat they want ... in time. I think the Pluses far outweigh the Minuses when comparing the M to the X. That is from a non owner, non sailer's point of view. I think there will always be current owners not liking new changes..in a few years when Mac comes out with a M26xyz model...M owners will be screaming...what did they do to our boat...they ruined it!
Paul
I agree about some of the layout. But I do like it overall. My idea was just a quickie/cheap solution. Move the head, add new door. If nothing else, to gain a bit of headroom when using the head. The boat seems pretty mod friendly from what I have seen. So anyone should be able to get the boat they want ... in time. I think the Pluses far outweigh the Minuses when comparing the M to the X. That is from a non owner, non sailer's point of view. I think there will always be current owners not liking new changes..in a few years when Mac comes out with a M26xyz model...M owners will be screaming...what did they do to our boat...they ruined it!
Paulwhy? why? why?
Why in the world did they change the cabin layout/floorplan?? I am gonna buy a 26x within the next year or so. I like the improved sailing characteristics of the 26m but i HATE what they did to the cabin. Why in the world did the mac big wigs ruin what was a superb cabin?
Why in the world did they change the cabin layout/floorplan?? I am gonna buy a 26x within the next year or so. I like the improved sailing characteristics of the 26m but i HATE what they did to the cabin. Why in the world did the mac big wigs ruin what was a superb cabin?
change is good
Change is good. The interior looks fairly easy to modify. The interior is secondary to me. I like the overall changes. I would still choose the M though. Paul
Change is good. The interior looks fairly easy to modify. The interior is secondary to me. I like the overall changes. I would still choose the M though. Paul
Because! Because! Because!
Steve, Because the new M is a great design. If you want to do any entertaining at all you will like the M. Besides the head room is the best for those of us over 5'8" tall. I am just under 6' and I can stand up straight in the cabin. Furthermore I have children and the added privacy of having the head up front is great! When its the kids bed time we put them up in the V birth and pull the curtain. another thing is that when you step down into the cabin you don't feel like you are stepping into a washing machine. The cabin features "seem" to be of better quality and are much "warmer" if you ask me.
Steve, Because the new M is a great design. If you want to do any entertaining at all you will like the M. Besides the head room is the best for those of us over 5'8" tall. I am just under 6' and I can stand up straight in the cabin. Furthermore I have children and the added privacy of having the head up front is great! When its the kids bed time we put them up in the V birth and pull the curtain. another thing is that when you step down into the cabin you don't feel like you are stepping into a washing machine. The cabin features "seem" to be of better quality and are much "warmer" if you ask me.
RETRO
I have had a 1987 26-D almost 2 years and keep it on the lake and use it year round. I really enjoy the boat except for the "cramped" cabin / head. I am going to move up to a 26X after one more season as I like the open feeling of the cabin and the stand-up head & galley as well as many other features of the 26-X. I don't understand why MacGregor moved the galley back crosswise to close in the openess of the cabin and downsized the head as well and took you back to a dinky table.
I have had a 1987 26-D almost 2 years and keep it on the lake and use it year round. I really enjoy the boat except for the "cramped" cabin / head. I am going to move up to a 26X after one more season as I like the open feeling of the cabin and the stand-up head & galley as well as many other features of the 26-X. I don't understand why MacGregor moved the galley back crosswise to close in the openess of the cabin and downsized the head as well and took you back to a dinky table.
The cabin does feel larger, but there is a cost
The inside feels huge, you can easily fit 6+ people down below without getting in each other's way due to the open floor plan. Of course the cost to that is the poor location of the head...well the location is OK, the design sucks. If they got rid of the swing door to a pocket/sliding door across the cabin, it would feel larger (see my original post). This will be one of my first mods. But it is not a deal breaker. The galley..no biggie to us..we are not even getting a stove/burner. Probably just going to put a TV there maybe.
The inside feels huge, you can easily fit 6+ people down below without getting in each other's way due to the open floor plan. Of course the cost to that is the poor location of the head...well the location is OK, the design sucks. If they got rid of the swing door to a pocket/sliding door across the cabin, it would feel larger (see my original post). This will be one of my first mods. But it is not a deal breaker. The galley..no biggie to us..we are not even getting a stove/burner. Probably just going to put a TV there maybe.
why? Don't ask me
I looked into the 26X and the 26M and I really wanted to get the M for the better sailing, but I really disliked the changes to the interior and the cockpit so I went with a used X. I wonder if these changes are going to hurt sales? I am wondering if one could slap the new mast from the M on the X and get a better sailboat that way. I did think that mast was rather clever. My dealer seemed to think that would work fine.
I looked into the 26X and the 26M and I really wanted to get the M for the better sailing, but I really disliked the changes to the interior and the cockpit so I went with a used X. I wonder if these changes are going to hurt sales? I am wondering if one could slap the new mast from the M on the X and get a better sailboat that way. I did think that mast was rather clever. My dealer seemed to think that would work fine.
What were they thinking ?????
I was all ready to buy a new 26x and they stopped making them. So I looked at the 26M and I can't believe what they did to the cabin. I'm sure the mods that they made increased the sailing and powering capabilities but why did they have to ruin the cabin. It looks as though they didn't give the design any thought, they just stuck things here and there and walked away. The 26x cabin is one of the best designed cabins I have ever seen, (minus the frills) but at least its functional. I'm surprised MacGregor would produce such an inferior design. I am now looking for a used 26X.
I was all ready to buy a new 26x and they stopped making them. So I looked at the 26M and I can't believe what they did to the cabin. I'm sure the mods that they made increased the sailing and powering capabilities but why did they have to ruin the cabin. It looks as though they didn't give the design any thought, they just stuck things here and there and walked away. The 26x cabin is one of the best designed cabins I have ever seen, (minus the frills) but at least its functional. I'm surprised MacGregor would produce such an inferior design. I am now looking for a used 26X.
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