I had a fair amount of experience on a Catalina 250 before purchasing a 2005 M. I was able to transfer my sailing experience to the Macgregor but noticed some differences. The wheel steering felt different than the tiller. However, I learned to like it quickly. I prefer the wheel. Among other things...

I'd definitely go with the brighter of the two bulbs. They're both pretty dim. From talking with other sailors, I've heard that you can get away with using the Mega Light as an anchor light... but don't quote me on that. I'm just giving you third party rumors. They didn't discuss whether it put out ...

I have a 2005 26M. The steering on mine isn't that stiff, but it was much stiffer when I got the boat. It was never as stiff as you describe. Note that I don't have an autopilot. It also squeeked. The steering bar rubs the edge of the hole in the fiberglass where it enters the hull from the outside....

Here is an update from my last post. Art from Dowsar said that he already has received the new cars from production. He says that he's ready to ship one out to me to replace the damaged part. That's much sooner than he had anticipated. Great! Also, I'm having trouble with my domain nameserver. So, h...

The bimini was delivered on June 7 by UPS. I have installed, but not sailed with the bimini. I will post a picture of it on my Mac at http://www.smartegy.com/bimini.htm later today. Installation was VERY easy. No drilling, etc. is required. You just snap it in place. I am 6'2" tall and am able ...

Here are some links to some OLD Macgregor 26 manuals. There might be some helpful info in there until Heath or someone else gets a chance to post a more current manual.

http://www.macgregor-boats.com/macman/macgregor26.pdf

http://www.ne-ts.com/mac/cc/cc-108page00.html

Regards,
ROB

I decided to hang in there and wait for the bimini to ship from Dowsar. I played phone tag with Art at Dowsar a number of times and was told it's shipping today on several occasions. Well, it finally shipped yesterday on May 27. Art apologized for the delay and long series of problems. Since he had ...

http://www.dowsar.com/images/26mds_l.jpg http://www.dowsar.com/options5.htm (The picture above is from the Dowsar Marine Supplies website) I have ordered the new adjustable height Bimini which mounts on the genoa track from Dowsar Marine for my 26M. I placed the order on Monday, May 2. Art at Dowsa...

I was told by my Yamaha dealer not to even store my 4-stroke engine in the tilted position much less run it. If I remember correctly, he said that the oil from the sump would flow past the piston rings into the cylinders. Why wouldn't the muffs work underwater? There is positive pressure from the fr...

Talk about being the ultimate in cheap... I bought my new 26M from a dealer who stated that he was quitting the business and I was buying his last boat. The boat was exactly as it was delivered to him... it even had the grease pencil marking still on the hull and all the original factory dirt. I got...

Sloop John B, I'd like to hear the conclusion to this story. I have a Yamaha T50 also. Sorry about your mishap, but your experiences might prove beneficial to me someday. I was tempted to buy my engine from Central Florida Yamaha. When I was shopping for a T50, I found them to have the best prices i...

Rich, We joined a commercially operated boat club before buying the Mac. We wanted to buy a boat, but didn't know what kind of boat we wanted. Our boat club is primarily a power boat club, but has one sailboat. That is the 25 foot Catalina. We get the use of the club boats, but don't own them. We ca...

Well, I guess that my idea wouldn't apply in this situation. I had considered bottom painting originally and my solution might have worked for that. I had trying to float the boat on a little heeled to solve the problem of painting under the rear bunks. I don't know if that is practical. However, af...

I don't know whether you want to bottom paint it or have a hole to fix, but here is a far out naive idea... Can you float the boat (without it sinking) before you do the work? If so, buy a can of MaryKate Liquid Rollers. I discovered this stuff from some previous posts on this board. The stuff is gr...

I had a small hole in my mainsail. I went to my local sail loft and they put an adhesive patch on it for free in a few minutes while I waited and prodded them with all the questions I wanted answered. They said that would fix it. They were fast, friendly, my favorite price, free! :), and seemed very...