I am very interested in a Macgregor 26. I am looking to sail on the Severn Estuary / South Wales, UK. This can be a notoriously difficult stretch of water, I have heard some concerns over the 26's being seaworthy. I am looking for something with the versatility of the 26 and am basically a fair weather sailor only, I have two young children and as such do not want to take any chances, the weather can always change! Any advise / suggestions gratefully received. Thanks in advance.
- Status
26 X stability
Dear friend 26 X is an excelent versatile boat but, according to my opinion, not suitable for strong winds and big waves, due to light weight. It will moove you alot and you will taste alot of salty water. This does not mens that will be dangerus. Up to 4-5 B. you will have an excelent trip. It is money worthy and a good toy. Just remember few things
Personal opinion) A)Difficult to get in and out from front or rear.Only by sides. B)Your anchor has to be about 10 kilos, with alot of chain, because of the moovements. Good luck George
Dear friend 26 X is an excelent versatile boat but, according to my opinion, not suitable for strong winds and big waves, due to light weight. It will moove you alot and you will taste alot of salty water. This does not mens that will be dangerus. Up to 4-5 B. you will have an excelent trip. It is money worthy and a good toy. Just remember few things
Personal opinion) A)Difficult to get in and out from front or rear.Only by sides. B)Your anchor has to be about 10 kilos, with alot of chain, because of the moovements. Good luck GeorgeThe Mac
Ian...Ive owned a 1992 Mac 26, and now own a Mac 26-X. Theyre nice family boats, and we have great fun with ours. I think they are nice "fair weather" sailing boats and safe for a family because of the "floatation" I like "fair weather" sailing only, and the Mac has been ideal for us. It has plenty of room for camp outs and overnighting for two on land or on the water. I know some sailors that vacation on their Macs with a family of four.
Ian...Ive owned a 1992 Mac 26, and now own a Mac 26-X. Theyre nice family boats, and we have great fun with ours. I think they are nice "fair weather" sailing boats and safe for a family because of the "floatation" I like "fair weather" sailing only, and the Mac has been ideal for us. It has plenty of room for camp outs and overnighting for two on land or on the water. I know some sailors that vacation on their Macs with a family of four.
X or M ?
I hear the rudders are the weak point on the X models, and some strenghening is possible. not sure about the M's. if you stick to fair weather the x or m should be fine. if you go out in 4-5 foot confused seas, most likely something will break, and you will need a tow in. (rescue). the advantage of these boats is they are easily trailered, and can plane in the right conditions. you may want to look at macgregor-sailors.com this has a lot of x and m posters. (members)
I hear the rudders are the weak point on the X models, and some strenghening is possible. not sure about the M's. if you stick to fair weather the x or m should be fine. if you go out in 4-5 foot confused seas, most likely something will break, and you will need a tow in. (rescue). the advantage of these boats is they are easily trailered, and can plane in the right conditions. you may want to look at macgregor-sailors.com this has a lot of x and m posters. (members)
Thye X has been a fun compromise
A fair-weather day at our marina can invariably be a howling broad reach in the middle of the bay. With early reefing (and I'm usually late) the 26X has been comfortable for me in 15-20 knots. If your harbor is a distance from your desired sailing area, the large outboard can get you there promptly. And it's a 5 minute single person launch for me (mast up). I think the "M" would be the same, with a slightly bigger cabin and a slightly smaller cockpit. Cheers
A fair-weather day at our marina can invariably be a howling broad reach in the middle of the bay. With early reefing (and I'm usually late) the 26X has been comfortable for me in 15-20 knots. If your harbor is a distance from your desired sailing area, the large outboard can get you there promptly. And it's a 5 minute single person launch for me (mast up). I think the "M" would be the same, with a slightly bigger cabin and a slightly smaller cockpit. Cheers
Breaks in 4-5 foot confused seas?
MrBill's comment below - if you stick to fair weather the x or m should be fine. if you go out in 4-5 foot confused seas, most likely something will break, and you will need a tow in. (rescue). - is complete and utter BS. Both the X and the M are routinely sailed all the time in these kind of conditions. Don't listen to someone who obviously doesn't know anything about the boat. If you want to real scoop ask the owners at macgregorsailors.com
MrBill's comment below - if you stick to fair weather the x or m should be fine. if you go out in 4-5 foot confused seas, most likely something will break, and you will need a tow in. (rescue). - is complete and utter BS. Both the X and the M are routinely sailed all the time in these kind of conditions. Don't listen to someone who obviously doesn't know anything about the boat. If you want to real scoop ask the owners at macgregorsailors.com
hey scott
you are correct! I know nothing about the X model, just what I read.... and I read a long story about a guy who took an X over to exummas, nassau, grand bahama, etc. He broke both rudder bracket and had them fedex over to get back. jury rigged it at sea to get to port... if I can find the story again, I'll post the link. his statements on the brackets were much more critical.... he was a school teacher from canada.. and had a 35hp I think, and recommended a 25. *best as I rember without re-reading the whole story... I've not sailed at all on the west coast either, but lived in bay area and outside LA. for few years... the seas were much different than the east coast... mostly larger roller. imho, east coast has more chop, shorter wave period and is a harder sail... so I dont know what kinds of conditions you've actually experienced in your x. anyway, the X is fine if you know its limits... here you go: http://macgregorsailors.com/explore/exumas/index.php '//macgregorsailors.com/explore/exumas/index.php' http://macgregorsailors.com/explore/exumas/index.php quote: top 1/3 "Set out for Shroud Cay 3 days later, only five miles away. Winds 20-25. Broke a rudder pivot bolt and had to return to Normans for repair" 2/3rds down page: "I anchor in 4 foot waves on the banks. Damn! No good. Rudder brackets break again. Can only motor to steer. Wind 25 kts and gusting higher. Reef main, pull anchor and press on. Sunrise and no land in sight. Depressing. 22 miles to go. Bimini in sight. I pull into protected bay on backside. Oh man, that was the worst 20 hours I've ever had on water" at the bottom: Notes to MacGregor Owners .... Beware of the rudder brackets. Mine are aluminum. They should be beefed up, before going to sea. maybe you can clarify exactly what he is breaking? your turn...
you are correct! I know nothing about the X model, just what I read.... and I read a long story about a guy who took an X over to exummas, nassau, grand bahama, etc. He broke both rudder bracket and had them fedex over to get back. jury rigged it at sea to get to port... if I can find the story again, I'll post the link. his statements on the brackets were much more critical.... he was a school teacher from canada.. and had a 35hp I think, and recommended a 25. *best as I rember without re-reading the whole story... I've not sailed at all on the west coast either, but lived in bay area and outside LA. for few years... the seas were much different than the east coast... mostly larger roller. imho, east coast has more chop, shorter wave period and is a harder sail... so I dont know what kinds of conditions you've actually experienced in your x. anyway, the X is fine if you know its limits... here you go: http://macgregorsailors.com/explore/exumas/index.php '//macgregorsailors.com/explore/exumas/index.php' http://macgregorsailors.com/explore/exumas/index.php quote: top 1/3 "Set out for Shroud Cay 3 days later, only five miles away. Winds 20-25. Broke a rudder pivot bolt and had to return to Normans for repair" 2/3rds down page: "I anchor in 4 foot waves on the banks. Damn! No good. Rudder brackets break again. Can only motor to steer. Wind 25 kts and gusting higher. Reef main, pull anchor and press on. Sunrise and no land in sight. Depressing. 22 miles to go. Bimini in sight. I pull into protected bay on backside. Oh man, that was the worst 20 hours I've ever had on water" at the bottom: Notes to MacGregor Owners .... Beware of the rudder brackets. Mine are aluminum. They should be beefed up, before going to sea. maybe you can clarify exactly what he is breaking? your turn...
Hey Mr.Bill
It is idiotic to make a blanket statement like you did based on one boat. My father-in-law had an Ericson 38 built by Pacific Seacraft that was almost demasted due to a factory flaw. Does that mean all Ericsons and Pacific Seacraft are junk? I sail an M her in Socal and you are correct that conditions vary by region but there guys on macgregorsailors.com who sail X's and M's in your area and the conditions you describe without problems.
It is idiotic to make a blanket statement like you did based on one boat. My father-in-law had an Ericson 38 built by Pacific Seacraft that was almost demasted due to a factory flaw. Does that mean all Ericsons and Pacific Seacraft are junk? I sail an M her in Socal and you are correct that conditions vary by region but there guys on macgregorsailors.com who sail X's and M's in your area and the conditions you describe without problems.
scott
if one brand new boat is dismasted, I say that all new boat owners of that brand should be worried about the rigging. but then again, some peoples' purpose in live is ment to be a warning to others... let me know how that M handles in force 7 or better...... PLEASE!
if one brand new boat is dismasted, I say that all new boat owners of that brand should be worried about the rigging. but then again, some peoples' purpose in live is ment to be a warning to others... let me know how that M handles in force 7 or better...... PLEASE!
Force 7
Near gale conditions with 28-33 knots of wind would not be comfortable in the open ocean due to wave conditions nor would it be in any light trailer boat of the same size. In those conditions I would furl the sails and start up my 60hp E-tec and head for port.
Near gale conditions with 28-33 knots of wind would not be comfortable in the open ocean due to wave conditions nor would it be in any light trailer boat of the same size. In those conditions I would furl the sails and start up my 60hp E-tec and head for port.
plane ability of an M?
ok, maybe I can actually learn something here! How big of seas can the M (or X)get up and run? Can it plane in 4 foot sea with heavy winds? I'm guessing its better with full or partial balast. I've owned skiffs since 15. When it gets too rough to jump the waves, I have to slow down to 'slog' speed. which is as fast as I'm willing to go, without pounding my teeth out, and burning up all the fuel. even with 200 hp, thats still about 10-14knts maybe... so, I'm thinking the x or m will be down to 9-14knts in a decent strom. Honestly, I'd like to know......
ok, maybe I can actually learn something here! How big of seas can the M (or X)get up and run? Can it plane in 4 foot sea with heavy winds? I'm guessing its better with full or partial balast. I've owned skiffs since 15. When it gets too rough to jump the waves, I have to slow down to 'slog' speed. which is as fast as I'm willing to go, without pounding my teeth out, and burning up all the fuel. even with 200 hp, thats still about 10-14knts maybe... so, I'm thinking the x or m will be down to 9-14knts in a decent strom. Honestly, I'd like to know......
Planning
I'm not expert as it's a new boat for me and my first outboard/planning hull boat but your estimate of 9-14 knots sounds about right from what I've heard from others. Full balast and never partial as the sloshing would not be stabe. The M pounds a lot less than a skiff would and the 26foot long hull helps it abilities. Another M owner last week told me a story of going out on the bay with 4-6 waves with a friend following along in his 24 foot power boat. He said the friend had to go much slower than his M. Here's a quote from an owner in a Practical Sailor review: "Another owner, who sails off the coast of Northern California, said, “We typically have 15-20-knot winds, and long 8'-10' swells, which she handles easily. I think this is an outstanding boat. I was knocked over 50° by a 40-mile per hour gust, and she popped right up and nothing broke.”
I'm not expert as it's a new boat for me and my first outboard/planning hull boat but your estimate of 9-14 knots sounds about right from what I've heard from others. Full balast and never partial as the sloshing would not be stabe. The M pounds a lot less than a skiff would and the 26foot long hull helps it abilities. Another M owner last week told me a story of going out on the bay with 4-6 waves with a friend following along in his 24 foot power boat. He said the friend had to go much slower than his M. Here's a quote from an owner in a Practical Sailor review: "Another owner, who sails off the coast of Northern California, said, “We typically have 15-20-knot winds, and long 8'-10' swells, which she handles easily. I think this is an outstanding boat. I was knocked over 50° by a 40-mile per hour gust, and she popped right up and nothing broke.”
- Status