Hi Paul,
I wish I knew in advance that you and the NE-TS guys were going to be at my marina this summer. We could have given you folks a spin on our 27E Edge.
The following comments are based on my personal experiences with the two boats. As the saying goes "your mileage may vary"
1) Edge is heavier, requires a larger truck to pull, more water to launch, permit requires in some states. This would put many Mac owners out of the sailing business, as we trailer our boats mostly, at least in the NE-TS club.
I bought a Toyota 4Runner (with Class III capacity) to pull the 26M in the first place. It works fine to pull the Edge so at least for me there was no additional expense.
Given that the 26M weighs 2550 empty it's true you'd only need a Class II vehicle to pull it even with gear vs the Class III capability that the Edge requires. I'm not sure there's much of a cost difference between a vehicle with Class II capacity and Class III. For the SUVs we looked at (Kia, Toyota, Jeep, Nissan, Ford, etc.) they were all in the same price range.
I find that there's very little difference between towing the Edge and towing the 26M. I towed the Edge all the way from near Augusta Maine (Russell's Marine in Stockton Springs) to my home near Concord, MA with no problems. I actually prefer the dual axle trailer since I found the single axle trailers on both my Potter and the 26M seemed to fish-tail a little more than the Edge's dual axle.
In general I find there's more difference between towing my old Potter 19 and either of these boats than there is between the 26M or Edge.
Also I think the thing about the trailer widths is overblown. Have you personally ever known anyone that was stopped and ticketed for towing something a couple of inches too wide? Do you know any State Troopers that carry measuring tapes?
I doubt these rules are ever enforced and my Edge isn't any wider than a typical tractor trailer or box truck...
2)cabin - personal preference. We prefer the older 03/04 M interior over the later M or edge interior layout. We prefer the head being foreward leaving more valuable real estate to actual use.
I hadn't checked out a 26X until we brought our 26M to the marina in Salem and found someone there had an X. From what I understand (from prior communication with you I think) the early 26M layout was more like the 26X. I totally agree with you about the layout being better on the original Ms and the Xs. I think the changes they made to the 26M were not very good.
Unfortunately that's the design that they were selling when I bought mine and which they're now selling. So that's what we bought and ended up not liking. The design on the Edge is more like the X. While I don't think it's necessarily unfair to compare a design no longer in production since folks have the option to buy a used boat, I think it's more accurate to compare the designs of both boats as they are currently produced and sold, and in that regard I prefer the layout in the Edge.
I really disliked the head being forward on the 26M. It broke up the interior compartment which made it feel smaller. Also I'm 5'10" and couldn't stand upright in the head and found it very dark and claustrophobic. In addition it had no ventilation. The head on the Edge is full height so I can stand in it. I find it much roomier and the window provides both ventilation and light which I like.
Also I don't find that the room taken up by the turntable rudder has much impact. I suppose if you were measuring the actual interior volume it would, but I really think the comparison is more about how the space is utilized. I find no real difference between the aft berth on the Edge and that on the 26M.
I actually like the extra space on either side of the turntable rudder because it provides extra storage and has allowed me to mount additional gear there that ended up taking up storage space in the main compartment of the 26M. I also like the fact that given the way they laid the Edge out just an extra 6 inches of width allows 2 people to stand and pass side by side between the galley and head.
I don't find the rudder well to be problematic because the fold down table goes right over it. So it's no problem to get forward and aft when you're not sitting down to dine.
I also find the Edge has a lot better storage space. In addition to the storage under the aft berth, which is roughly comparable to that on the 26M except for the fact that it isn't also doubling as the bilge I think the Edge has more storage. There are 6 good sized compartments under the benches that surround the table. There is a compartment under the forward V berth. There is a good sized cabinet with a shelf under the chart table, and there is a lot more room in the two cabinets under the galley than in the 26Ms sliding galley.
4) Cockpit, after owning the M, comparing it to the edge, we (shockingly) prefer the M. It is nice having a traveler, and a track for the genny/jib. Having the cockpit enclosed more, prevents things from sliding out. Jury is out on the semi standing captain seat on the edge. We have had 8 people on our M in the cockpit at happy hour. There is plenty of room.
I found the traveler on the 2008 26M was constantly getting in the way, and in people's faces so I didn't like it at all. This is definitely a personal preference thing I suppose.
We've had 7 people (one at the helm and 6 passengers) in the cockpit of our Edge while under sail. Having owned the M I don't see how 8 people could sit comfortably in it, even at happy hour, let alone while sailing. Maybe your friends are skinnier than mine
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We plan to mount some solar panels under the stern rail seats just to the back of the benches in the Edge. If those don't work to eliminate the possibility of things sliding off the benches (as you point out) and out the back, we'll put in some cargo netting. We encourage people to keep things stowed while under way but we never used the cargo netting that came with either of our cars so we have some that's just about the right size lying around looking for a good use
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I personally didn't like the 26M's captain seat because I had to lean forward from it to hold the wheel, which put a lot of strain on my lower back and I have a bad back to begin with. Again this is a personal preference thing, but I prefer the higher seat in the Edge and often stand a lot when at the helm, which is easier on my back. Given the extra height of the boom and the Bimini on the Edge this is no problem and something I couldn't do on the 26M.
5) the M's daggerboard IS hollow, but fills with water and does offer weight. No idea how it compares to the edge, but it has worked well for us for 6 years no.
Um, how does a hollow daggerboard that fills with water offer any weight? If the daggerboard were hollow and sealed it would displace the water. So the weight of the water that fills the daggerboard is neutral because it doesn't weigh any more than the water that would otherwise be displaced in the same volume. In order to actually add weight the keel has to be denser and heavier than the water it displaces. That's just basic physics...
I'm glad to hear you have had no problems with the Ms daggerboard. Unfortunately I can't say the same. It is held on by 2 ropes. One is the uphaul, the other is a stop line to keep it from dropping through the slot. Typical of Mac fabrication these ropes thread through holes in the daggerboard and are then knotted off. The holes don't even have grommets on them to protect the ropes, and like other things on the 26M, apparently were poorly finished with rough edges.
One time I made the mistake of forgetting to raise the daggerboard when putting the boat away after sailing. We had a few days of heavy waves and high wind right after that. When I went back to the boat I found that the rocking action of the daggerboard in the waves had caused both lines on it to chafe through and the daggerboard had dropped through the slot to the bottom of the harbor never to be seen again. It's amazing how murky even a few feet of water in a shallow harbor can be. The lines were less than 1 year old and were in excellent condition. It cost me a bit of $ to replace that daggerboard so I was peeved....
The Edge's keel is heavier and sturdier. Also, being a swing keel it's mounted on a pin so it won't drop off and it's a little more forgiving than the 26Ms if you hit something because it will swing back. I've heard from one person that owned a 26M that when they hit something at fairly low speed their daggerboard cracked like an eggshell. Not surprising because it's hollow like an egg and has a somewhat similar shape...
I agree that Hunter's Edge does validate that the Power Sailboat concept does have a place on the market, though I think that given the 26X and 26M longevity that wasn't really in doubt. I think that while it's inevitable that people considering this type of boat will compare the two there's probably a place in the market for both.
People who are more cost conscious will certainly tend to favor the Mac. People who are willing to spend more but prefer the Hunter's layout, extra room and better fit and finish of the will lean towards it as I eventually did. Hopefully these discussions will provide useful information to those leaning one way or the other to help them decide which choice is best for them.
ttfn,
Jay