What is the difference between a 26D and a 26S?

[Doug J]

Can someone explain the main differences between a 26D and a 26S? I want to find a used one, 1988-1992 range. I've been reading as much info I can find, and am still unclear. I see they are both water ballast. Is one preferred over the other?Any help will be appreciated!

 

[Dave M26D]

The difference...

Okay...good question and oft asked.Technically, the first water ballasted Mac 26 was designated "W" by the factory. That didn't change throughout the run of that hull form, even though they went from the daggerboard to the swingboard mid-run.Many of us refer to that model as the 26C, "C" for classic. There are two variants of the 26C, the 26D and the 26S.The 26D has a daggerboard. Points high and is marginally faster than it's little sister...the 26S.The 26S has a swingboard...when it's down there is that big gaping hole in the hull called the centerboard trunk and that slows you down a little...but not enough to notice unless you are a buggy eyed racer.Both are outstanding sailers. Same hull form except for the centerboard and rudder configurations.The D started production in "87...the factory began the transition to the S in '89 by changing the deck mold...the '89s are the best of the bunch in my view...they have the S deck and the daggerboard hull. The swingboard model was introduced during the 90 model year.As I mentioned, they are both outstanding boats...you might get a little better deal on the D since it's older.

 

[Doug J]

What about the weight?

Thanks for that thourough explanation Dave! That clears up a lot! Still have a couple questions though.Does the dagger board take up space or get in the way inside the cabin?How much does the 26D weigh without water ballast?According to MacGregorOwners.com 26D 2850lbs. displacement 1200lbs. ballast 26S 1650lbs. displacement 1200lbs. ballastIf the above is accurate the 26S would be a whole lot easier to trailer. Must be less glass used. Is there any tradeoff that you are aware of?

 

[Dave M26D]

Yes...

sort of...the daggerboard trunk runs up through the cabin next to the galley area. On the plus side, it provides a very solid compression post for the mast loads...on the downside, it's there.Both the S and D weigh the same with or without ballast. They both weigh around 1650 or so dry and take on 1200 lbs. water when wet.They are pretty close to identical boats with a few minor exceptions.

 

[Bruce Cowin]

Weight a minute

Doug,Both boats should have the same approximate weight when empty. I believe the weight on the 26D is listed with the water in the balast, and the 26S is listed with no water in the balast. Probably done by two separate submitters and no-one questioned it - until just now.On the 26D, the dagger board is not in the way inside the cabin. It is inside a trunk that looks like a partition in the cabin. It is raised and lowered from the deck by means of a line. If you're sailing with the dagger board lowered and hit something, like a big rock laying on the bottom, the dagger board and trunk can become damaged. Also, the boat stops rather suddenly. The 26D is a bit older and may not cost you as much. On the 26S, the swing board sits in a trunk that you can not see from inside of the cabin. The swing board is raised and lowered from inside the cabin (unless you make a modification). The swing board will swing up if you hit something like a big rock, and will probably not do any damage to the boat or the board. The 26S model is newer and may cost a bit more. Both boats are quite comparable. Theoretically, the 26D is faster. But that depends on how well the skipper can sail the boat. Let us know what you end up buying, and why you chose the boat you bought.Cheers,Bruce CowinBrigadoon 26S

 

[Doug J]

zeroing in

Thanks for the responses. This really helps.I found some pic's of both models, I can see what you guys are talking about now. I realize now(duh)that the weights I quoted earlier for the 26D indicated ballast 1200lbs. and boat with ballast at 2850lbs. There is two 26S' available in my area, one asking $6300, the other $7000. From what I can tell those are reasonable prices to ask, hopefully they are willing to negotiate.Now that I know what the deal is with both models I'll keep a look out for both.

 

[bonitasailor]

26D and 26S

D3J,In addition to the dagger board "D" versus "S" question, there are two centerboard models the "C" and the "S." The "C" has the rudder on the transom and the "S" thru the hull at the Lazerette. The "S" was the last of the 26 Classic models before the powerboat "X" version.Regarding speed, no one getting into racing MacGregors is encouraged to get a "C" or "S" as the "D" is faster. Most owners attribute this to less drag with the "D" daggerboard trunk. By the way the new "M" has a daggerboard as well.Ed

 

[Dave M26D]

Au Contraire...

that is not the way I understand it...and I've been doin this for 18 years...The S version has the rudder built into the transom...the D version has it hanging on pintles off the transom.There is a slight possibility that during the transition period there might have been a D with the newer type rudder, but I doubt it since that was a mold change...anyone have a D without a rudder hanging off the transom or an S WITH it hanging off the transom?

 

[MArk]

More Mac Info

The D/S/C is an often-asked question on this board. If anyone who has a Macgregor 26, whether swing keel or dagger, looks at the HIN they will see a "W" for the hull designation. Going by the HIN only, they are both the same model (Macgregor 26 from about 1987-1995). Both perform equally well. Roger does this technology switch from time to time (refer to X vs. M) to keep sales going. The D is not better than the S nor is the S better than the D. Both sail equally well. It's more a matter of personal preference. That said, the 1989 D is probably the most sought after since it was the last and best designed (especially the cockpit freeboard) dagger version. The dagger is a simpler and more reliable design, assuming you don't run into a rock and break it off. Even then, it's easy to replace. I wouldn't pass up a good deal on either.Here are 2 good information sources.http://www.wadler.org/Boating/index.htmlhttp://www.macgregor-boats.com/Happy sails *_/),MArk

 

[Dave M26D]

Now MArk knows his sh.t

As much as I would like to contradict you...I can't...well mostly...you know your Mac 26s. Good job dude! There are probably 10 people who know the original 26 is designated "W".

 

[Kevin]

I've Sailed both models

I own an 88 26D. My high school best buddy got hooked after one sail with me and purchased a 89 26S. Both boats are identical in every aspect with the exception of my Dagger board keel and his Swing keel. The dagger keel has a sleeve running from the deck through the cabin for the keel to slip into place. It can be pulled up and removed from the deck. The swing rotates foward into place under the hull of the boat. The Swing can be problematic at launch if it hands up on the trailer. Just have to pull it up using the mechanisum in the cabin a bit. With the S you have a little more space in the galley with no sleeve for the keel. However the sleeve can provide extra shelve hanging space as well. I love my D and he prefers his D. Either way you cannot loose.

 

[bonitasailor]

clarifying and stirring a little more

Thanks Mark for helping us out. I own and race an 87D and have seen a number of the 89 and later S models. What I meant to say is the S (and C as some folks call the last few S years) rudder post is thru the hull at the transom, (not Lazerette)sorry. I do disagree on speed, but only by a little bit. VYCSD races frequently and more than once it's come up the S (and C?) is slower, but, the amount is small. Discussions of handicapping (PHRF fleet adjusted) have been around 226-229 for the S versus the D handicap of 216. It's also come up that the S might be faster than the D in bigger seas which we just haven't seen in San Diego Bay. As it's been said, at these differences it's more likely the sailor (or sail quality) that makes the difference. Either a D or an S should be a fun and affordable boat.Fair winds and following seas.

 

[Paul Vance]

1990 D Model ?

I recently purchased a 1990 D model . The Hull number is MACW 1804J990 . All the things I have been reading say 1989 was the last year for a daggerboard . My Rudder is mounted on the transom also . What;s up ?

 

[mrBill]

1989 D best of breed, imho....

The 89 D had high coamings in the cockpit, and moved some vberth floatation to the celing.it still had the external mounted rudder.while minor, these changes would make this the best model year.... imho.however, all models from 87-95 are good boats.

 

[Doug J]

Okay, how bout the L designation?

Getting a lot of good information here!But what about the "L" as in 26SL.Does anyone know what if anything the "L" stands for?

 

[Dave M26D]

Agree with MrBill

the '89 is the crem-dala-crem. High coamings are really nice and enable good winch installation. I think the placement of the flotation is probably a good thing...never tried it yet...but I built a rode locker and that would have been a lot harder if the flotation was over the V-berth rather than under it.If I had waited only one year to buy mine...I'd have gotten the '89...oh well, I love the old girl anyway.

 

[Dave M26D]

never heard of it before

SL doesn't mean anything to me.

 

[MArk]

MACW1804J990

Paul,According to the HIN, your 1990 year model "D" was built in October 1989 (...J9..). Roger never stops building one design until production is up to speed on the next one. Your boat is probably one of the last 100 "D"s made. ("D" production averaged about 2.5 boats per work day over the 3 year run.)MArk

 

[mrBill]

Have You Looked Here?

www.macgregor-boats.comtheres a whole lot of info here, from manuals to cool mods. plus the web ring....when looking for a boat, the condition and upgrades are what really counts. center board or dagger board... unless you go for the x or new M its all good.

 

[RichardL]

Just to add ........

Welcome back Dave M26D we missed your words of wisdom.OK – so to add my “two-penny worth”, it is also my understanding that there never was an actual “C” model, but it stands for “Classic” and was just a general term given to the “D” and the “S” models.As for the rudder attachment, I have a 1990 “S” and the rudder post runs down from the deck into the lazarette, then down into a trunk that is fixed to the inside of the transom (still inside the laz) then out from the bottom of the transom to a bracket to which the rudder attaches. Having only seen pictures of the location of the rudder on the “D” model, I can see that it is attached to the outside of the transom on pintels.As for the question of the centerboard type, I like the idea of my swing keel that will compensate for my mistakes when I get in water that is too shallow, and as I have never actually seen a “D”, I cannot pass any other comment.