Purchasing a new MacGregor 26X

[Craig Bozeman]

I am doing the research on buying a new sailboat for use in Fort Lauderdale. My prior sailing experience is racing Hobie 16's offshore when I was younger (quite a few years ago!). My wife, son and I want a sailboat to do some coastal cruising off Fort Lauderdale and maybe a weekend trip to the Florida Keys. We have looked at a Hunter 26 and Catalina at recent Sailboat shows and just heard about the MacGregor 26X recently.What I would like to know is if the 26X is capable of coastal cruising comfortably on the ocean versus typical sailing on a large lake. I'm talking about fair weather, beautiful sunny summer day with the wife and kids, not snotty weather sailing. However, we have thunderstorms here in South Florida that can blow up quite quickly with 3-6 foot seas and 25-35 knot winds. Would the MacGregor 26X be able to handle this?

 

[Morris Rooms]

Mac 26X - Coatal, estuary, inshore

Just like the Hunter and Catalina 26ft'rs the Mac is designed specifically for coastal and inshore use but there are numerous stories on the web where folks have sailed them over to the Bahamas etc.The big plus for the Mac26X over the others is the option to put a 50hp OB on it and when the weather begins to look dicey drop the rags and get outa there at 20-25mph.CheersMorris26x99 hullaballoo UK

 

[Mike]

Keep in mind

Just keep in mind that when the seas get choppy, the outboard will be less and less effective as it won't stay under water as the boat bobs up and down from the wave action.

 

[Kevin Barry]

Mac Capabilities

Hi, I sail my mac on the atlantic coast off New Hampsire. I just spent a day in 8-10 waves, fog, and high winds with no problem. The mac dose't sail as well as the Hunter or Catalina, but it is can power and sail really well. Get a mac with a 50 hp motor and you have the best of both worlds! I highly recommend this boat as a coastal cruiser! Fair winds, Kevin