Hi folks: I have a fantastic 13 year old daughter who was just diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, a life threatening illness for which there is no cure. My family is looking for any type of sailboat that is similiar to the Macgregor 26x with the water ballast that is able to become a powerboat by expelling the ballast. So to my question: What other sailboat manufacturers are there and what size are the sailboats that can become planing sailboats by dumping the ballast and having a large enough outboard engine? Fair winds and following seas from a former Coast Guard search and rescue boat driver. replies to jcary5408@prodigy.net or to this forum
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Choice is limited
Hi TS, I'm sorry to learn of the news about your daughter. IRT your boat question: The Mac 26X is the primarily available boat. They also made a similar 19 ft. model from about '89 to '95. There is a French company, Dufour, that makes a boat that is similar to the 26X but much nicer and much more expensive so I have heard. Used MacGregor 26X's are starting to be pretty available. Hope this helps, Joe C. in NC (former 26X owner)
Hi TS, I'm sorry to learn of the news about your daughter. IRT your boat question: The Mac 26X is the primarily available boat. They also made a similar 19 ft. model from about '89 to '95. There is a French company, Dufour, that makes a boat that is similar to the 26X but much nicer and much more expensive so I have heard. Used MacGregor 26X's are starting to be pretty available. Hope this helps, Joe C. in NC (former 26X owner)
All boats are a compromise...
I once heard a great description about the MacGregor 26X- "As a sailboat, it makes a great powerboat. As a powerboat, it makes a great sailboat." In other words, It will do EITHER power OR sail well enough to cover its bases, but it does neither well enough to be called 'exceptional'- Especially when you need one capability over the other (rough weather, or no wind). What makes the Mac 26X unique is that it tries to be a little of each- there aren't many (any?) other manufacturers that even try to create a boat like this. Most will lean towards either sailing or powering capabilities, using the other as an 'auxiliary' means of propulsion. My advice would be to determine which you and your daughter are more interested in- A motor vessel or a sailing vessel- by spending a little time aboard a variety of each. After some time on each kind of boat, I suspect you will find one sport more enjoyable than the other, and you can develop some criteria for the style of boat you should shop for. If you're looking for time on various boats, you can almost always find people at local sailing clubs / Power Squadrons / boatyards / Marinas that will be willing to give a tour of thier boats, if not a quick 'orientation ride' if you smile and ask nicely (or donate a few beverages to their cooler). As an alternative to a Mac 26X, how about looking into a small multi-hull boat? Speed, stability, light weight, shallow draft, and sailing capability all rolled into one, may just be what you're looking for. The first thing that pops to mind is a TomCat 6.2 (I've included a link below). It's not quite as easy to load onto a trailer, but may better suit your long-term need for speed and comfort in a ~20 foot, trailerable package. There are several other small cat's that can also fit the bill... (Eep, I'm a die-hard Hunter owner, and I just recommended A Different Brand!
With my heartfealt sympathy for your family, --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio' (P.S.- Support Search and Rescue... Get Lost! -- I work with CG Group Key West from time to time...)
I once heard a great description about the MacGregor 26X- "As a sailboat, it makes a great powerboat. As a powerboat, it makes a great sailboat." In other words, It will do EITHER power OR sail well enough to cover its bases, but it does neither well enough to be called 'exceptional'- Especially when you need one capability over the other (rough weather, or no wind). What makes the Mac 26X unique is that it tries to be a little of each- there aren't many (any?) other manufacturers that even try to create a boat like this. Most will lean towards either sailing or powering capabilities, using the other as an 'auxiliary' means of propulsion. My advice would be to determine which you and your daughter are more interested in- A motor vessel or a sailing vessel- by spending a little time aboard a variety of each. After some time on each kind of boat, I suspect you will find one sport more enjoyable than the other, and you can develop some criteria for the style of boat you should shop for. If you're looking for time on various boats, you can almost always find people at local sailing clubs / Power Squadrons / boatyards / Marinas that will be willing to give a tour of thier boats, if not a quick 'orientation ride' if you smile and ask nicely (or donate a few beverages to their cooler). As an alternative to a Mac 26X, how about looking into a small multi-hull boat? Speed, stability, light weight, shallow draft, and sailing capability all rolled into one, may just be what you're looking for. The first thing that pops to mind is a TomCat 6.2 (I've included a link below). It's not quite as easy to load onto a trailer, but may better suit your long-term need for speed and comfort in a ~20 foot, trailerable package. There are several other small cat's that can also fit the bill... (Eep, I'm a die-hard Hunter owner, and I just recommended A Different Brand!
With my heartfealt sympathy for your family, --Jon Bastien H25 'Adagio' (P.S.- Support Search and Rescue... Get Lost! -- I work with CG Group Key West from time to time...)Understand The Need For Speed
In case of emergency you probably want the added security of getting home quickly. There are several boats that may meet your requirements. Lancer also makes a saiboat that boasts the requirements you seek. The Mc Gregor X series as you know also meets your requirements. I have personally sailed the 26X and it preformed very well. The website below lists several boats that may meet your requirements. Best of luck and may your daughter enjoy fair winds many years of peace and happiness. http://yachtworld.com/listing/yw_listing_search_validator.jsp?new=&type=%28Sail%29+Motorsailer%2FPilothouse&maker=&hull=&fuel=&engine_num=&min_length=25&max_length=26&units=Feet&min_year=&max_year=&min_price=&max_price=¤cy=USD&city=&date=&limit=30&company=
In case of emergency you probably want the added security of getting home quickly. There are several boats that may meet your requirements. Lancer also makes a saiboat that boasts the requirements you seek. The Mc Gregor X series as you know also meets your requirements. I have personally sailed the 26X and it preformed very well. The website below lists several boats that may meet your requirements. Best of luck and may your daughter enjoy fair winds many years of peace and happiness. http://yachtworld.com/listing/yw_listing_search_validator.jsp?new=&type=%28Sail%29+Motorsailer%2FPilothouse&maker=&hull=&fuel=&engine_num=&min_length=25&max_length=26&units=Feet&min_year=&max_year=&min_price=&max_price=¤cy=USD&city=&date=&limit=30&company=
Water ballasted sailboats
Hunter also makes two water-ballasted boats, the 240 and the 260. The 260 is probably a better boat overall than the MacGregor 26x, although it lacks the motoring speed of the 26x. I believe that some of Hunter's earlier boats in that size range were also water-ballasted. I have never been aboard a 26x, but I have read a lot about them. Their great virtue is the ability to go 17-18 mph at the end of the day to get back to your home port. This is not important if you sail in a confined area such as a lake, but it could be very handy in large bays and in coastal areas.
Hunter also makes two water-ballasted boats, the 240 and the 260. The 260 is probably a better boat overall than the MacGregor 26x, although it lacks the motoring speed of the 26x. I believe that some of Hunter's earlier boats in that size range were also water-ballasted. I have never been aboard a 26x, but I have read a lot about them. Their great virtue is the ability to go 17-18 mph at the end of the day to get back to your home port. This is not important if you sail in a confined area such as a lake, but it could be very handy in large bays and in coastal areas.
Can you empty the ballast while in the water ?
I've seen the Mac, but was under the impression that one needed to haul the boat, pull the plug and let the water run out. Have they got a version with a pump on it to take care of this while it is in the water ??
I've seen the Mac, but was under the impression that one needed to haul the boat, pull the plug and let the water run out. Have they got a version with a pump on it to take care of this while it is in the water ??
26X dumping ballast
The 26X has a valve (RV sewage type valve) low on the transom which when opened along with the tank vent will empty the tank in just several minutes while motoring at about 8 kts. or more. Some owners have installed pumps that can use a pickup line dropped in to the tank. MacGregor does not offer such an option. Most Mac owners do an extreme number of modifications to their 26X's Hope this helps, Joe C. in NC former 26X owner, had a lot of fun, but love my Hunter
The 26X has a valve (RV sewage type valve) low on the transom which when opened along with the tank vent will empty the tank in just several minutes while motoring at about 8 kts. or more. Some owners have installed pumps that can use a pickup line dropped in to the tank. MacGregor does not offer such an option. Most Mac owners do an extreme number of modifications to their 26X's Hope this helps, Joe C. in NC former 26X owner, had a lot of fun, but love my Hunter
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