I'm looking at the various sailboat configurations as I prepare to buy one. Boats are all compromises of one stripe or another, but I've focused pretty closely on the Macgregor 26, for the following reasons: 1) TRAILERABLE! This is very important in my area because California slips are mucho expensive. 2) Can sail or power. Power for the versatility, sail for the range. 3) Cost. Macgregors seem to be pretty inexpensive. 4) A useable cabin. So I have a couple of questions for you owners about them. First, have you ever had your boat on either open ocean or maybe one of the great lakes in bad weather? I'm concerned about the stability of the boat under sail, and about the general experience of such a small boat for ocean-going duties. I've read people that say they're too small and light, and others that say they're great. Secondly, what kind of speed do you get, both under sail and under power? I've heard quotes of Macgregors going 17 knots under sail, but I think that if that's even possible, it's only under ideal conditions. Is it fast enough under power to tow a waterskier? I don't know any, but that seems to be a common application. Thanks in advance.
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Which Mac 26?
A new X, an M, an S, or a D? Lot's of Macs out there. Not being rude, but you need to be Mac specific. A Mac S or D are are seen frequently to and from Catalina, out of Marina del Rey or Long Beach. SF Bay and up the river is another favorite. We've been out on out '92 Mac to the 12 mile mark out of San Diego and all over the Bay.
A new X, an M, an S, or a D? Lot's of Macs out there. Not being rude, but you need to be Mac specific. A Mac S or D are are seen frequently to and from Catalina, out of Marina del Rey or Long Beach. SF Bay and up the river is another favorite. We've been out on out '92 Mac to the 12 mile mark out of San Diego and all over the Bay.
Could be
I have so far planned my journeys with NOAA weather and NO naval forecasts to preclude any especially heavy weather. Freak things do happen unforeseen however, so it is good to know what your vessel can do. I can't tell you waht happens in a full gale, but I can relate one experience in heavy weather. I have only experienced steady winds of 40 and gusts to 50 in my 26x, and although noisy and turbulent, I never feared for the boats rigging or hull. The unforecast, unforeseen 40 winds were in 4 ft sea. She leaned over over about 35 degrees and spilled enough wind to stay there even in the gusts. Harbor was nearly upwind so a beat was required. The Mac pounded into the steep waves with lots of spray but made good progress under sail until we could get organized to get all sail furled and motor for more control in entering a narrow pass. I went forward briefly once to retrieve a peice of line and was surprised how easy the motion of the boat seemed in the center of the cabin. Later I rasoned that the X hull and rigging with full ballast has been designed for speeds of 20+ mph. That means the hull rigging has been strengthened to survive pounding on waves at far higher levels of stress than it would encounter in all but the most severe storms at sea. They may be light by other, heavier boat's standards, but are strong enough for doing things those other boats can't even dream of. The X's hull is extra thick where it needs to be, the ballast tanks outboard also act as longitudinal stringers to stiffen the backbone of the hull, it has two compression posts for the cabin top. It's sturdy enough for most anything. I don't believe we have ever been more than 50miles offshore, simply because our pleasure is casual gunkholing and exploring shallaw bays and inlets which the X and few others can do. Much more wildlife and peaceful anchorages that way. When we do go offshore, it's to avoid crowded barge ways, excessive habitation with lot of docks, abandoned markers, crab traps, etc. We make much better time under sail or power by going in a straight line offshore at our own speed. 15 knots of wind and 3 foot swells in the open water is an ideal motion under full sail in cruising form I think. We don't ski. Or boogie board. We do pull adults on other things like tubes, air mattresses, surfboards, etc. under sail and under power. Every body has good time. Our boat is loaded for cruising two weeks, at all times. Intended as a true second home. So she has never been light weight. The high speed claims for the X or M in promos are undoubtedly made with a boat that has no ballast, no cargo, fuel or gear other than necessary for a speed run, with one lightweight helmsperson, and optimal wind conditons in flat water. The power runs are as above with no rigging up to cause windage. We've never really tried for maximum speed. Our best real life speed with the boat loaded for cruising with comfort and convenience for two weeks for a crew of two weighing 316 lbs is so far: under sail 9.2 mph in 20 mph wind and wing and wing downwind; under power with a 1997 50 hp Mercury 2 stroke, 4 blade 1l.8x8 prop it is 13.5 mph at 5400 rpm. I am quite please with the performance from a boat weighing 4970 lbs in crusing mode, and only 23 ft on the waterline. The Mac 26X is a very versatile boat that I think is often too much under rated by experts used to big, expensive, heavy displacement traditional styled vessels. I think the X is a go anywhere boat if proper preparation of boat and crew is made, then the weather is planned for and used to advantage. I hope this helps.
I have so far planned my journeys with NOAA weather and NO naval forecasts to preclude any especially heavy weather. Freak things do happen unforeseen however, so it is good to know what your vessel can do. I can't tell you waht happens in a full gale, but I can relate one experience in heavy weather. I have only experienced steady winds of 40 and gusts to 50 in my 26x, and although noisy and turbulent, I never feared for the boats rigging or hull. The unforecast, unforeseen 40 winds were in 4 ft sea. She leaned over over about 35 degrees and spilled enough wind to stay there even in the gusts. Harbor was nearly upwind so a beat was required. The Mac pounded into the steep waves with lots of spray but made good progress under sail until we could get organized to get all sail furled and motor for more control in entering a narrow pass. I went forward briefly once to retrieve a peice of line and was surprised how easy the motion of the boat seemed in the center of the cabin. Later I rasoned that the X hull and rigging with full ballast has been designed for speeds of 20+ mph. That means the hull rigging has been strengthened to survive pounding on waves at far higher levels of stress than it would encounter in all but the most severe storms at sea. They may be light by other, heavier boat's standards, but are strong enough for doing things those other boats can't even dream of. The X's hull is extra thick where it needs to be, the ballast tanks outboard also act as longitudinal stringers to stiffen the backbone of the hull, it has two compression posts for the cabin top. It's sturdy enough for most anything. I don't believe we have ever been more than 50miles offshore, simply because our pleasure is casual gunkholing and exploring shallaw bays and inlets which the X and few others can do. Much more wildlife and peaceful anchorages that way. When we do go offshore, it's to avoid crowded barge ways, excessive habitation with lot of docks, abandoned markers, crab traps, etc. We make much better time under sail or power by going in a straight line offshore at our own speed. 15 knots of wind and 3 foot swells in the open water is an ideal motion under full sail in cruising form I think. We don't ski. Or boogie board. We do pull adults on other things like tubes, air mattresses, surfboards, etc. under sail and under power. Every body has good time. Our boat is loaded for cruising two weeks, at all times. Intended as a true second home. So she has never been light weight. The high speed claims for the X or M in promos are undoubtedly made with a boat that has no ballast, no cargo, fuel or gear other than necessary for a speed run, with one lightweight helmsperson, and optimal wind conditons in flat water. The power runs are as above with no rigging up to cause windage. We've never really tried for maximum speed. Our best real life speed with the boat loaded for cruising with comfort and convenience for two weeks for a crew of two weighing 316 lbs is so far: under sail 9.2 mph in 20 mph wind and wing and wing downwind; under power with a 1997 50 hp Mercury 2 stroke, 4 blade 1l.8x8 prop it is 13.5 mph at 5400 rpm. I am quite please with the performance from a boat weighing 4970 lbs in crusing mode, and only 23 ft on the waterline. The Mac 26X is a very versatile boat that I think is often too much under rated by experts used to big, expensive, heavy displacement traditional styled vessels. I think the X is a go anywhere boat if proper preparation of boat and crew is made, then the weather is planned for and used to advantage. I hope this helps.
a Mac is for you
the Mac X or M meets all four of your requirements. it's the least expensive "cabin cruiser" that you will find anywhere. if you're a sailor, you can expect to get to 7mph top speed. if the wind and swells come up more than you like, you can motor back to port. motoring with a 50hp (lightly loaded) and you'll likely get to 16-19mph (depending on outboard). if your motor goes out, you can sail back to port (your back-up motor). i take my X 60 miles to Catalina Island (across the blue Pacific) usually under power. no problems so far (knock on wood). for you, in the Delta or SF Bay, a Mac is a perfect option. it sounds like you may want to be able to tow a water skier... if you buy a new M, i suggest you get a 70hp. a used X, if older than 4 years, consider re-powering with a 70 or 90hp. i say this because in my opinion, a 50hp has to be run at near WOT to plane at 16mph under most "loaded" conditions. with a 70 or 90, you can get to 18-20mph at 2/3 - 3/4 throttle and maximize gas mileage. that is, you'll find that MPG with a WOT 50 (16mph) is the same as a 2/3 throttle 90 (18mph). about 4.5-5mpg. that's my experience after using a Suzuki 50 for two years and then re-powering with a Tohatsu 90 tldi.
the Mac X or M meets all four of your requirements. it's the least expensive "cabin cruiser" that you will find anywhere. if you're a sailor, you can expect to get to 7mph top speed. if the wind and swells come up more than you like, you can motor back to port. motoring with a 50hp (lightly loaded) and you'll likely get to 16-19mph (depending on outboard). if your motor goes out, you can sail back to port (your back-up motor). i take my X 60 miles to Catalina Island (across the blue Pacific) usually under power. no problems so far (knock on wood). for you, in the Delta or SF Bay, a Mac is a perfect option. it sounds like you may want to be able to tow a water skier... if you buy a new M, i suggest you get a 70hp. a used X, if older than 4 years, consider re-powering with a 70 or 90hp. i say this because in my opinion, a 50hp has to be run at near WOT to plane at 16mph under most "loaded" conditions. with a 70 or 90, you can get to 18-20mph at 2/3 - 3/4 throttle and maximize gas mileage. that is, you'll find that MPG with a WOT 50 (16mph) is the same as a 2/3 throttle 90 (18mph). about 4.5-5mpg. that's my experience after using a Suzuki 50 for two years and then re-powering with a Tohatsu 90 tldi.
For Bay Area Specific Info
Since it sounds like you're about to become a Bay Area and Delta sailor, here's a link to an online group for local Mac sailors. Drop by.... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bayareamacs/
Since it sounds like you're about to become a Bay Area and Delta sailor, here's a link to an online group for local Mac sailors. Drop by.... http://groups.yahoo.com/group/bayareamacs/
Any Mac 26
I don't have a preference for what kind of Mac, since I don't own one yet. Advice on this would be appreciated also. I really like the M, but it's the newest, and therefore most expensive on the used boat circuit. So I'm holding out for probably an X, which I believe was the first one that could really get to powerboat speeds under power. I'm really most keen to know about rough weather/open sea performance. The rest of it I've researched sufficiently, or the answers provided told me what I needed to know. Thanks for all your feedback!
I don't have a preference for what kind of Mac, since I don't own one yet. Advice on this would be appreciated also. I really like the M, but it's the newest, and therefore most expensive on the used boat circuit. So I'm holding out for probably an X, which I believe was the first one that could really get to powerboat speeds under power. I'm really most keen to know about rough weather/open sea performance. The rest of it I've researched sufficiently, or the answers provided told me what I needed to know. Thanks for all your feedback!
good speed
--- Our best real life speed with the boat loaded for cruising with comfort and convenience for two weeks for a crew of two weighing 316 lbs is so far: under sail 9.2 mph in 20 mph wind and wing and wing downwind --- 9.2 mph or knots? Either way, that's pretty good, I think. Isn't it?
--- Our best real life speed with the boat loaded for cruising with comfort and convenience for two weeks for a crew of two weighing 316 lbs is so far: under sail 9.2 mph in 20 mph wind and wing and wing downwind --- 9.2 mph or knots? Either way, that's pretty good, I think. Isn't it?
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