I currently have an Oday Daysailor and wish to move up to a larger trailer sailor. After much research I have decided on a MacGregor 26S; however I have found a 26D that has many upgrades and modifications I would really like and can use. I know the difference between the to are the swing keel -vs- the daggarboard. So what would be the best choice, a clean well maintained 26D with many ugrades (the kind that matter rigging, rudder, electronics and livability)or a 26S a few years younger kept in a fresh water slip in good condition with a few upgrades (BB-Q, Carry on A/C) and modifications (rudder only) for about the same price. Any input would be appreciated.
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Mac 26
Mike, My friend Walter bought a 2002 Mac 26 with the centerboard. He wasn't too keen on MacGregors with dagger-boards because of what might happen if the dagger-boards were to hit something. So this is the main reason why he went for the centerboard instead. I've been told that the dagger-board Mac 26 is faster. I don't know about that. I never particularly cared for MacGregors myself, but I did get a chance to sail Walter's Mac 26 and I can honestly say that it sailed great! I was really impressed. I didn't even mind the wheel steering because the wheel is small. The cabin is set up real nice with an enclosed head and a great galley layout on the port side with the dinette table on the Starboard side. The only problem that I had with this boat is the high free-board when coming to a dock. You need a ladder to get on and off of it at the dock, and that's about my only concern. Outside of that, they're a great boat. My friend Walter passed away in January and the boat is up for sale. I believe they are asking $18,900 for it. Joe
Mike, My friend Walter bought a 2002 Mac 26 with the centerboard. He wasn't too keen on MacGregors with dagger-boards because of what might happen if the dagger-boards were to hit something. So this is the main reason why he went for the centerboard instead. I've been told that the dagger-board Mac 26 is faster. I don't know about that. I never particularly cared for MacGregors myself, but I did get a chance to sail Walter's Mac 26 and I can honestly say that it sailed great! I was really impressed. I didn't even mind the wheel steering because the wheel is small. The cabin is set up real nice with an enclosed head and a great galley layout on the port side with the dinette table on the Starboard side. The only problem that I had with this boat is the high free-board when coming to a dock. You need a ladder to get on and off of it at the dock, and that's about my only concern. Outside of that, they're a great boat. My friend Walter passed away in January and the boat is up for sale. I believe they are asking $18,900 for it. Joe
I have a D,.;...
I was also initially worried about hitting bottom, but it has not been a problem. when in shallow water, I'll typically raise the D board a foot or two. -one pro for the Daggerboard is less maintenance. 'IF' the pivot bolt for the center board is worn, or needs work, its a pain to replace, as you must lift the boat off the trailer. -I hear the D is faster too, but maybe just slightly... -where do you sail? a man made lake with low water obstructions, then yes I'd go with the centerboard. otherwise the D seems like a better buy. -on the other hand, if you sell, you may run into similar resistance... plus the D's are older. -what year D? the 89 had the high cockpit coamings, and some foam (enclosure) above the VBeth IIRC. (I have a 88D, low coamings.)
I was also initially worried about hitting bottom, but it has not been a problem. when in shallow water, I'll typically raise the D board a foot or two. -one pro for the Daggerboard is less maintenance. 'IF' the pivot bolt for the center board is worn, or needs work, its a pain to replace, as you must lift the boat off the trailer. -I hear the D is faster too, but maybe just slightly... -where do you sail? a man made lake with low water obstructions, then yes I'd go with the centerboard. otherwise the D seems like a better buy. -on the other hand, if you sell, you may run into similar resistance... plus the D's are older. -what year D? the 89 had the high cockpit coamings, and some foam (enclosure) above the VBeth IIRC. (I have a 88D, low coamings.)
All things considered
I have a 91' 26S and love it. But if you have found a D and an S both in similar condition, but the D has a lot more expensive upgrades, the D may be the way to go. Especially if it's an 89' with the same higher coamings, really the same boat except for the dagger vs. swing centerboard. But really, if the boats are in good condition, I personally would not be concerned that one is newer than the other. I'd be more interested in overall condition, installed equipment, and price. With regard to the pivot pin on the 26S, it really should never wear out. But the hole it goes through in the centerboard itself can be an issue. Or the line used to haul up the CB. I converted mine to really good quality 1/4" yacht braid, eliminating the cable/nut & bolt arrangement, that was gouging the fibergalass in the OEM centerboard. Now that will not be a problem anymore. It's true that if you need to do maintenance on the CB on the 26S, it can be a pain to remove it from the boat. So far I've done it once, to replace the OEM CB with an HDPE one from Idasailor. I don't expect to have to remove the CB very often, so it's not an issue. You should itemize all the installed options, and add up the cost if you were to add them yourself, that may give you a big push toward the D
Either one you choose, I'm sure you'll love it! Just curious, what are the years and how much are they asking for each?
I have a 91' 26S and love it. But if you have found a D and an S both in similar condition, but the D has a lot more expensive upgrades, the D may be the way to go. Especially if it's an 89' with the same higher coamings, really the same boat except for the dagger vs. swing centerboard. But really, if the boats are in good condition, I personally would not be concerned that one is newer than the other. I'd be more interested in overall condition, installed equipment, and price. With regard to the pivot pin on the 26S, it really should never wear out. But the hole it goes through in the centerboard itself can be an issue. Or the line used to haul up the CB. I converted mine to really good quality 1/4" yacht braid, eliminating the cable/nut & bolt arrangement, that was gouging the fibergalass in the OEM centerboard. Now that will not be a problem anymore. It's true that if you need to do maintenance on the CB on the 26S, it can be a pain to remove it from the boat. So far I've done it once, to replace the OEM CB with an HDPE one from Idasailor. I don't expect to have to remove the CB very often, so it's not an issue. You should itemize all the installed options, and add up the cost if you were to add them yourself, that may give you a big push toward the D
Either one you choose, I'm sure you'll love it! Just curious, what are the years and how much are they asking for each?Agree with Doug
I have a 26s and have never sailed a D. But I would think that the overriding concern you should have is the overall condition of the boats you look at, not the relatively small differences between the two models. The centerboard may ultimately have some issues, but those are probably once every 5-10 years. As for the difference in speed, the PHRF rating system for racing gives the D a 3 second per mile handicap over the S. That's the smallest diffenence they can give, and it's essentially insignificant. Get the boat that's in the best shape you can find and afford, and you'll probably be very happy with whatever model it is.
I have a 26s and have never sailed a D. But I would think that the overriding concern you should have is the overall condition of the boats you look at, not the relatively small differences between the two models. The centerboard may ultimately have some issues, but those are probably once every 5-10 years. As for the difference in speed, the PHRF rating system for racing gives the D a 3 second per mile handicap over the S. That's the smallest diffenence they can give, and it's essentially insignificant. Get the boat that's in the best shape you can find and afford, and you'll probably be very happy with whatever model it is.
my $.02
I have an S model but I know how much mods can cost. Unless the 26D mods are real hack jobs, I would lean that direction. The swing keel works best for me because our reservoir is low in the spring and fall and the slips aren't very deep then.
I have an S model but I know how much mods can cost. Unless the 26D mods are real hack jobs, I would lean that direction. The swing keel works best for me because our reservoir is low in the spring and fall and the slips aren't very deep then.
low water sailing
for a low water (mud bottom) lake, I'd go for the D. -my thinking is in low water, part of a daggerboad will sail better than part of a centerboard. at the dock, or motoring in less than 3' the rudder will be up too, and as will most of the 'boards' its the submerged rocks, oyster bars, and submerged trees that would sway me towards the S. (sudden, random hard obstructions, typical in man made lakes.). Again, what year D?
for a low water (mud bottom) lake, I'd go for the D. -my thinking is in low water, part of a daggerboad will sail better than part of a centerboard. at the dock, or motoring in less than 3' the rudder will be up too, and as will most of the 'boards' its the submerged rocks, oyster bars, and submerged trees that would sway me towards the S. (sudden, random hard obstructions, typical in man made lakes.). Again, what year D?
CLR
This is something that seams to be rarely mentioned about a 26S. Since the centerboard swings, you can control the CLR (Center of Lateral Resistance). This can have an affect on weather helm. I think that's kinda nice. Just one more thing that can be tweeked on the 26S.
This is something that seams to be rarely mentioned about a 26S. Since the centerboard swings, you can control the CLR (Center of Lateral Resistance). This can have an affect on weather helm. I think that's kinda nice. Just one more thing that can be tweeked on the 26S.
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