Why does MacGregor seem to have a bad reputation?

[Tom]

what you are missing

What you are missing is being able to sail effectively on anything higher that a beam reach. Why have so many people here complained because they can't even tack in moderate to heavy air?? It is because when they luff up and try to tack with their water ballasted planing hull...that is what they do...plane sideways until they say the hell with it and just gybe instead. If you want to enjoy this type of sailing, then a Mac is for you. You can motor plane at 20 knots ten miles up wind and then let out your water ballast and sail like the devil back home. But remember to refill the ballast tanks lest you end up like a turtle.

 

[Timm Miller "Boom Shaka Laka"]

Tacking Problems?

I didn't know I was supposed to experience that......my boat tacks fine in any air.....heavy or light.

 

[bill]

Mac26 points fine

Tom must be speaking of a mac model I dont know about.Mac 26D's point very well. 26S also pretty good. not sure about 26x.

 

[Kory]

Great Comments Kenny!

Great comments Kenny. I too have the new M and its fabulous. I live in Seattle, WA and like to go to the San Jaun Islands. The mac lets me sail from Island to Island. On Sunday I can get back home in a hurry. In a conventional sailboat I would have to stay in one harbor or I would never macke it back in time for work on Monday . The mac is the perfect boat for me.

 

[Kory]

Sorry for your problem

I assure you that every manufacturer has horor stories. You are not alone in your problems. There is a 2 year warranty on the boat now i'm not sure about then. I suggest you buy a boat next time from a manufacturer that has a dealer in your area. If you purchased a boat locally I am confidant you would not have had this problem. Most reputable dealers want you to be satisfied. My dealer has a reputation for no nonsense good service. Maybe thats why they are the largest mac dealer in the U.S. There are too many macs out there for this to have been a real problem with these boats. Sorry for your experience.

 

[Bob Barnes]

Ditto, Great Boat

It's a great boat. I bought one earlier this year and it has been fantastic to learn on.The Macs have a reputation for being a beginner boat, however I have friends with lots of experience with sailing. Who at first said the same thing you hear. But after getting their butts kicked in a race or two and been out on the water with me. They no longer deride the boat. Enjoy it and let the comments slide off you bow just like water.Bob

 

[BillO]

A brand is a niche

This stuff goes on with all products. I have attched a link to a watch collectors board. Same goofy stuff goes on in the watch world. Why do people buy Breitlings at $3000.00,a IWC at $7500.00 or a Patek Phillipe at $25,000.00.I have a MINI-Cooper, a holding company of BMW. A lot of $50,000.00+ Beamer owners are in a snit because of the $18,000.00 MINI.Have fun and wave at all the $150,000.00+ 45 footers.

 

[Bruce]

An awsome boat

Having sailed on many boats, I can say this about the macgregor, especially the 91-95 version. It is just wonderful for someone who knows what he is doing. As a more advanced sailor, I really appreciate the way the boat handles. The boat sails like a big dinghy and is very fast. It is more tender than a keel boat but that also makes it fast and point high. It is wonderful to blow by bigger, more expensive keelboats and it is a true trailerable boat. While these comments are from an experienced sailer for owners new to sailing you can expect that unlike other boats the performance of your Mac will continue to improve as you become proficient and that is a nice feeling. There is also no other boat with so much room that you can take on the road and tow behind a ford station wagon. We have had in fierce waves on Lake Erie and we have sailed it all over the Chesapeake. No one with a keel boat can do the things this boat can do and they are usually stuck in the one small area they keep their boat. Once in a bad storm on Lake Erie all the other boats we were with were dragging their anchors and in trouble. Because of the extreme shallow draft of the boat we were able to take it into shore and anchor in a little creek. We slept safe and cosy that night while our friends got no sleep at all. We have also beached the boat many times, and the kids love to stop and explore places not even a 22ft boat could go. One person can rig and set up the boat in 10 minutes and we often rig up on the water when confronted with bridges or overhead power lines. We have had no problem with the boat and because of its easy rig, the boat is easy to singlehand. I wouldnt have any other boat because I wouldnt be able to trailer it, I wouldnt be able to beach it and I probably couldnt sail and rig it by myself.

 

[John Walker]

X points fine!

I have no trouble pointing my X. In fact under light air (10 - 15 kts) the boat will self-steer.

 

[Ramblin' Rod]

Inexpensive Construction

MacGregor builds boats inexpensively. People try to compare the construction quality to boats costing many times more. We purchased our first boat (1977 Ensenada 20) in 1996 and sailed the living beejeepers out of it. We started looking for our next boat in 2000. Despite starting out with an "anything but a Mac" attitude because of the bad press, after 3 years of pouring over specs we finally concluded that a Mac26D met our needs best:1. Under 3500 pounds towing weight.2. Easy to launch and retrieve.3. Significantly larger interior than E20.4. Good performer.5. Draft less than 2 feet.6. Within our modest budget.After looking at 5 different examples, in April of this year, we bought SeaQuell, hull number 288.So far we have sailed a 1 week cruise, a 2 week cruise, and about 10 weekends.Of 25 boats at this years Trailer Sailor Association North Channel Cruise, we took the lead every day.For protected waters or fair weather coastal cruising, it's a great boat, not an expensive one.Even at that, we got caught in some rough weather in Georgian Bay this summer and got beat up pretty bad for about 3 hours. The boat took it a lot better than skipper and crew.

 

[Morg]

MacGregors are great!

I have owned several Macs (seven). My favorite was a 1991C because a few years ago when a hurricane was coming through, I put it on a double mooring in the CT river about 25 miles up from the Sound. I did this because there is a lot of big, old, maple trees in my yard to drop branches and trunks on my boat. after the hurricane left our area, I drove to the boatyard fully expecting to see only the mast sticking out of the water. But actually it was floating at its usual height, and when I went aboard there wasn't a drop of water in the bilge or anywhere else for that matter. I think this is a glowing testimony to the construction of the Macs.

 

[Rick Tenan]

It's a toy- So play with it!

Jeff:Read my review (on this site) of the 26S that I own. It's almost a clone of the 26D. I bought mine from an estate, and got a fair deal. Not cheap, but fair.I have outfitted my little Mac toy as a pocket cruiser. I added a bimini, shore line power, 1kW A/C inverter, microwave, and even an autopilot. I modified the electrical system to accept two house batteries (BIG ones) and a separate motor battery. This included a Pelco battery switch.There are too many additions on my boat to list here. The key is that she is now MY BOAT. I have her equipped and personalized just the way I want her. And she IS my toy.My opinion of the Macgregor construction is that it is cheap. NOT INEXPENSIVE- CHEAP! But it has to be to provide a boat of this size for this price! So far, I've found three large voids (cavities without any fiberglass or resin in them) under the gelcoat. I've dug into every crevice on my boat, and I can say that if you're not willing to sacrifice a little quality for the sake of price go buy a Hinkley or Pacific Seacraft. But take a BIG FAT wallet.Most folks at my yacht club know my boat. None of them have anything bad to say about her. Those who have sailed on her are usually impressed. Macs sail pretty well. She's also pretty fast.My wife and I spend many weekends on our 26S, DevOcean. We love the boat. I maintain her to a fair standard, and she gives us warm breezes and stunning sunsets in return.Enjoy your toy, personalize her, sail her, and to hell with what others think! She's YOUR boat. Deal with her shortcomings and she'll reward you. Just like DevOcean has rewarded us.Fair winds and following seas,Rick Tenans/v DevOcean

 

[Jerry]

For advanced sailors with limited funds

We have a 1993 26S (Classic). It's a tender boat. It's a cruiser that's also very fast. I think that it takes more skill to sail then many boats of the same, general size. I don't think it's a beginners boat. There are some items regarding design (electical, rigging, ability to sail to weather etc) that I think are subpar.I think that it's a great boat if you have the skills. But, I don't think it's a beginngers boat. We almost got knocked down last weekend. Very fluky winds. We had just raised the mainsail and had to come about. A sudden gust caught us and the gunwales were almost in the brink. A stiffer boat with a better keel and rudder might not have caused us so much concern. I think we did the right stuff and with our teamwork and the boats inherent ability to self right (and be "unsinkable") we made it. Still, this is a lightweight boat (for it's length).I'd prefer a little more stiffness.