Macgregor 26S Swing Keel Question

[JohnH_V25]

I am thinking of buying a '92 26S http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/e...viewitem=&item=140272431228&_trksid=p3907.m32 and went out on it yesterday. I've owned my Venture 25 for many years but this is the first 26S I've been on.

I was really suprised by the short lenght of line required to raise and lower the keel. I don't think I let out more than 18" to 2' when I lowered it. Same when I pulled it up. Is that right? I know it's not a weighted keel like my 25. Is it light enough that the line is fastened high and doesn't use much leverage to raise? I'm used to cranking and cranking the winch on my 25. Just want to be sure there's not a problem with the keel that is keeping it from going all the way down or coming fully up. The boat is in a slip so I didn't see it out of the water.

Thanks,
John

 

[Blake]

Sounds about right.

That is about all the line that my boat uses. The big difference from your V 25 is the water ballast. The V 25 has weight in the swing keel, the 26S has an unwieghted center board. The thing only weighs aboput 25#. I would suggest getting a good look at it, out of the water, before purchase. I bought my boat in a rush and didn't realise untill later that the centerboard was in very poor shape. Fortunately Blue Water Yachts sells new centerboards for these boats. 275$ if I remember correctly.

 

[JohnH_V25]

Thanks. I thought that was the case. But it is nice to hear from someone who knows. - John

 

[walt]

My 90 is about the same (roughly 2 foot or so)

I looked at the pictures on ebay and the boat has a fairly major modificaiton inside which you should know about. There are two fairly large bulkheads which have been removed - one on each side of the head and its been replaced with a single wood support just aft of the mast. Looks like it really opened up the inside of the boat nicely but it also removed a bunch of the structural support in the boat. Maybe its just fine, maybe something to look a little harder at for signs of structural problems??

 

[JohnH_V25]

Thanks, I noticed that. The photos I've seen of 26's all have a partition above the galley and some type of enclosure around the porta potty. I was curious about if others considered it a problem. Was the post actually added? My 25 has the same post with a plywood panel attached to the post, the hull liner at the bottom and the side of the hull a the top. I didn't notice any signs of fatigue. But, I may not have looked closely.
Thanks,
John

 

[Valentina]

how do they compare?

Hey, JohnH-V25., since you had a chance to sail both 26S and V25, do you find your v25 more stable in the water than a water ballasted 26S???
I would think, a 600+lb keel would give you more stability...
I own a v-22 with a 500lb keel and would love to have more stability (especially sailing lake Michigan) That's why I started thinking of a larger boat(call it a foot-o-mania)- but truly it's seeking more stability and comfort in a chop.
I understand a trade off between a trailerability(with swing keel) and stability with a fixed keel...but i'm sure there is a compromise...and I'm looking for one....
Your thoughts....anybody....???
Cheers,
V

 

[JohnH_V25]

How They Compare

I was only on this one 26S for a couple hours. But, many years ago after I took the ASA Basic Keelboat class I rented a Hunter 26 with water balast for a day. I was inexperienced and unprepared for how it would handle. The first time we got a good puff and it leaned over my wife lost her cool before it stiffened up. On the 26S it was just me and the owner. I have more experience now, and I new what to expect so when we got I puff, I just let it go and it stiffened up nicely.

So that's my experience with WB. I imagine others on the forum have much more with both, but it's no secret that WB has to heel over a bit before the WB is effective. The difference between the 26S and my V25 was noticeable, and frankly I like the V25's cast iron keel better based on that one sail. That being said, I know much of that is familiarity with the old and lack of same with the new and I've decided to buy the 26S. I've learned with my 25 that as long as you reduce sail early you can have a comfortable, in control, sail under most conditions. With the roller furler and double reefing points I'm sure I will learn how to manage that with water ballast. The interior finish on the newer boats is much nicer and the cabin layout is much more useful which is one of the things I am looking for and don't like in the 25. I would think a V22 would be the same, only worse.

A real keel boat is much more stable than any of the trailer sailors I've been on. But, I want to stick with a trailerable boat and the 26S will trailer more easily. I just hope it takles no more time to rig than my 25. Less would be good. And I won't miss cranking the winch on that heavy keel. I nearly had a disaster with that my last time out. - John

 

[walt]

I like to think of the way the26C sails as "lively"...

Weve owned two "monoslug" sailboats now - a 16.5 foot fixed wing keel boat and the water ballast 26S. Ive enjoyed sailing them both but surprisingly the 26S is easier to trailer (easier to launch, easier to rig).

My wife has never complained about how "lively" the boat is - but then she also has a high tolerance for fault (she has put up with me for 25 years).

 

[Justin_NSA]

"lively"

That's a great description Walt. Other sailors think of a tender boat as not being able to handle strong wind. The 26 can sail well as long as you understand they react quickly to puffs and take a little longer to stiffen up. I've been out in as heavy a wind as the leaded keel boats and never lost confidence in her.