Owner's Manual for a MacGregor 65?

Brian D · May 5, 2020

Welcome aboard, rsementi. I think you will be hard pressed to find such a manual. I don't believe there were a lot of those boats around. I remember looking at one at a boat show in the 80's, but that is about it.

I am sure you have been to Google looking. I would recommend looking not for the Mac65 Manual, but a general Mac Forum (other than ours here). Maybe one of the Mac guys might have leads on other Mac Forums that can help find that manual.

Good luck.

Joe · May 6, 2020

I think they only built one anyway. I could be wrong though. I always think of that promo vid with the mac 65 sailing in 40kt winds. That's a hoot!

capta · May 6, 2020

I know of at least three that were built, two first hand. One's on the hard in Trini and has been for quite some time. Another was (is) owned by a friend in Texas and was in immaculate condition. He sailed the $hit out of that boat, doing more than 10 knots much of the time. You may try and contact Walter D. Gameiro on facebook.
Good luck.

Davidasailor26 · May 6, 2020

Sailboatdata claims 24 were built, the last in 1987. Finding one of the 24 manuals from 33 years ago might be a tall order.

They also say it’s 22,000 lbs, which is startlingly light for a 65 foot boat. A new Beneteau 62, by comparison, is 57,000 lbs. It also says it’s narrower than my 37’ boat. Any idea on if these numbers are right?

capta · May 6, 2020

I would say so. Fast, very light, very narrow boats. I'm pretty sure they would rate poorly for racing and I couldn't think of any reason to buy one for cruising.

JohnShannon · May 6, 2020

There were two versions the lightest was the non-pilothouse version and then the pilothouse version at something like 35000 lbs still light. There was also a Mac70 (Anthem) which was a ketch version only one or two built of that version. Allegedly "Barking Spider" was a Mac 65 turbooed with a Santa Cruz 70 rig.

jon hansen · May 6, 2020

transpac 52 weighs about 15,500 lbs. so the 65' weight sounds about right. there was one up on green bay back in the day. what a hoot. that guy sailed the snot out of that vessel and it took it well. fun to watch.

joker460 · May 6, 2020

Interesting looking boat. It says it's a 1990 Model.

65 MacGregor Father's Office 1990 Oakland | Denison Yacht Sales

Launch a cruise to the South Pacific with a race to Hawaii in what may be the best knots/dollar ratio on the water! Single or double hand at great ...

www.denisonyachtsales.com

Maybe the broker could help with a manual?

Brian D · May 6, 2020

Having been on one I can attest to how narrow the boat is. That is the first thing that struck me; this thing is way too narrow. The B-Hut I lived in when in Afghanistan was wider. LOL

JohnShannon · May 6, 2020

Is MacGregor still in business? I actually was curious about the Mac 70 years ago and had a chat with Roger McGregor about it. He seemed open and friendly. Despite being enormous I think it is a pretty simple boat. Wiring is allegedly a little janky and the interior aesthetic is low end but their PHRF ratings indicate fast. Hull speed is 11 knots or so and narrow light hulls should be able to achieve that pretty easily. They have massively powerful engines for their size and weight, (foreshadowing that is).

Check yacht world there is one on the east coast for 50k or so needs some work but hey you get it the way you like it.

Ken Cross · May 6, 2020

There used to be one in Everett, Wa. It really looks fast. I never saw it leave the slip.

Ken