I have seen the future--A report on the 2005 "M"

[Frank C]

Good points, Joe. Sales velocity and dealer feedback are likely the primary sources for the factory. Candidly, I'm not sure the factory is tech-tuned enough to frequent this board, but they'd be smart to take a market-pulse here.

IMO, even from the new interior photo (posted by Bobby T on previous page), the M's dagger trunk and mirror interrupt the open-air vista that I sense as I descend into the cabin of my 26X. Just one biased opinion, but I feel that the aft-head and aft-galley are synergistic design elements - and they just don't make a natural fit with the dagger trunk.

I feel that the factory should study a new centerboard design that focuses on minimizing the performance demerits of a CB trunk. This would permit improved sailing with more interior flexibility. If they added a couple of feet they might create a separate forward stateroom with an open-style bulkhead & curtain. They might also add slightly to the amenities of X-style head and galley. This would double shipping costs (only one boat per container), but maybe Roger has already saturated that segment of the market anyhow?

[Joe 26M Time Warp]

A couple of thoughts;
Where is the map cover on the table? That's one of the cool things the X had that I wish we had somehow.
Looking in the mirror (in the pic) I can see the opposite bench and it makes me wonder how much easy access do you get to the rear berth? That either / or, 4 or more foot height to each side of the stairs in the previous M models provides access that appears to be greatly impeded in this version.
Oh well, you're always going to have compromises in a 26' boat.

[Tom Spohn]

The seat back on the Aft Starboard seat comes out to provide access to the rear berth.

[jackie m]

IMO, even from the new interior photo (posted by Bobby T on previous page), the M's dagger trunk and mirror interrupt the open-air vista that I sense as I descend into the cabin of my 26X. Just one biased opinion, but I feel that the aft-head and aft-galley are synergistic design elements - and they just don't make a natural fit with the dagger trunk.

Hello, all. Actually, that's my photo. Or rather a photo my husband took of our new 26M '05. Part of the problem with the photo is that the bow hatch is closed and darkens the interior quite a bit. The interior is much brighter but we aren't professional photographers. But your are correct about the "feel" of the 26M vs the 26X. I like the more open feel of the X.

Our first introduction to the Macgregor was the 26X. We liked it a lot but we were aware Macgregor was working on a new hull design. So we waited. Then the M came on the scene but was only offered in blue. We didn't want blue so we waited again. The next time we checked out Macgregor looking for a white M, there were no more and we learned we would only be able to obtain a white in the new design. We are happy indeed. I like certain things about all three designs, some things more about each design. But we particularly like the hull design on the M and are very pleased about the new interior (I wasn't fond of the galley location and table setup in the original M).

I have more pictures but unfortunately, they don't do the interior justice as this one didn't. I love the sliding galley. Stuff like that intrigues me. I also like the idea of being able to leave the table where it is. Or not

My one complaint about the new layout is the step in the head. It extends out from the hull about a foot and is 5 inches tall. This is too tall, imo, for the larger 6.3 holding tank porta potti which is already at 16 inches tall (I wanted the Aquamate 885 with the electronic flush and had posted the above photo in another group when asking if anyone had any suggestions.... someone wanted to see pictures of the new interior )

btw, the fabric is faux leather, sorta like a supple natural leather and soft. I like it. It's the same as the original M. Also, I'd like to know if the '05 Mark saw had the wood trim around the windows. Ours was not the first completed boat but she was the first off the lot. I'm not sure if the wood trim will be offered intially or will be offered as an option or will be included in the basic package eventually. I can't remember what our dealer said about that. Our dealer was Inmon and I could never say enough good things about him. He went way beyond the call of duty and what we expected to make our initial launch a very successful and happy one (I have *lots* of pictures of that as well as mpegs.... I was recording the event for future reference when we are on our own).

I think this new interior design closely resembles the 25 which I believe also had a sliding galley. So it's not new. Just really clever, imo.

I am setting up web pages on our new Mac and only have an exterior photo up right now. You can see our new boat at http://www.muddypuppies.com/ourmacgregor/

I will be adding photos of the interior but as I said, they are far from professional and lacking in presentation. Maybe Macgregor will get a brochure of the new M out quickly.

Jackie
http://www.muddypuppies.com/

[Paul S]

IMO, even from the new interior photo (posted by Bobby T on previous page), the M's dagger trunk and mirror interrupt the open-air vista that I sense as I descend into the cabin of my 26X. Just one biased opinion, but I feel that the aft-head and aft-galley are synergistic design elements - and they just don't make a natural fit with the dagger trunk.

.....
My one complaint about the new layout is the step in the head. It extends out from the hull about a foot and is 5 inches tall. This is too tall, imo, for the larger 6.3 holding tank porta potti which is already at 16 inches tall .......

btw, the fabric is faux leather, sorta like a supple natural leather and soft. I like it. It's the same as the original M.

.....
I am setting up web pages on our new Mac and only have an exterior photo up right now. You can see our new boat at http://www.muddypuppies.com/ourmacgregor/

I will be adding photos of the interior but as I said, they are far from professional and lacking in presentation. Maybe Macgregor will get a brochure of the new M out quickly.

Jackie
http://www.muddypuppies.com/

In our M, the head had a shelf in it (wood) mounted to a small fiberglass edge and a couple wood blocks. I removed the wood shelf to mount the extra capacity head. It worked out great. I did not put it against the starboard hull, I put it on the galley bulkhead. Works out great. I think I may change it a bit to angle the head a bit to give slightly easier access. Have to try it out.



It sounds like you do not have that option, if the fiberglass shelf comes out that far . That kinda stinks. Maybe you can install a remote holding tank for pumpout.

Overall, having used the boat a couple times, the head location and access is not that bad. Since you don't use it a lot (I hope you dont) , it is actually OK. Would rather have it where is in the M over the location in the X.

I think the head door is going to be history. Going to replace it with a curtain(or curtains). Reversing the hinge like I did, provides far easier access than the way the factory hung it. But it gets in the way sometimes. Check out my site in my sig if you would like to reverse the hinge (swing OUTSIDE head, instead of inside the head)

Paul

[jackie m]

In our M, the head had a shelf in it (wood) mounted to a small fiberglass edge and a couple wood blocks. I removed the wood shelf to mount the extra capacity head. It worked out great. I did not put it against the starboard hull, I put it on the galley bulkhead. Works out great. I think I may change it a bit to angle the head a bit to give slightly easier access. Have to try it out.

Looks like that would work unless you have really big feet

It sounds like you do not have that option, if the fiberglass shelf comes out that far . That kinda stinks. Maybe you can install a remote holding tank for pumpout.

Not that I can tell. Not without some cutting and fiberglass repair. The step does not appear to be structural to the boat, just simply added as a mounting platform for the porta potty (an easily accessed area that is otherwise empty)... a porta potty which must be very short since the step is 5 inches tall. But I do know I don't want a pump out. I don't want to wait in line at discharge stations and some lakes won't allow the boat if it has a pump out (afraid you will discharge into the lake, so I'm told).

Overall, having used the boat a couple times, the head location and access is not that bad. Since you don't use it a lot (I hope you dont) , it is actually OK. Would rather have it where is in the M over the location in the X.

I agree. It's more out of the way, imo.

Reversing the hinge like I did, provides far easier access than the way the factory hung it. But it gets in the way sometimes. Check out my site in my sig if you would like to reverse the hinge (swing OUTSIDE head, instead of inside the head)

Paul

Makes sense. I was thinking about that actually. What would be great is something on the order of a roll-top-desk turned sideways... a door that would slide out of the way along a channel. Would be possible in your M, but not mine with the 5 inch step-up. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Jackie

[Tom Spohn]

I heard the M will go to bifold doors on the head. Also the reason the shelf was placed in the head was if the pottie is placed on the floor it reduces the kneeroom. So you have a choice--Use the small pottie on the shelf and have enough headroom and kneeroom (but less capacity)or cut the shelf and place it on the floor and have enough headroom, (and greater capacity) but compromise the kneeroom.

[Paul S]

Looks like that would work unless you have really big feet

Not that I can tell. Not without some cutting and fiberglass repair. The step does not appear to be structural to the boat, just simply added as a mounting platform for the porta potty (an easily accessed area that is otherwise empty)... a porta potty which must be very short since the step is 5 inches tall. But I do know I don't want a pump out. I don't want to wait in line at discharge stations and some lakes won't allow the boat if it has a pump out (afraid you will discharge into the lake, so I'm told).

I agree. It's more out of the way, imo.

Makes sense. I was thinking about that actually. What would be great is something on the order of a roll-top-desk turned sideways... a door that would slide out of the way along a channel. Would be possible in your M, but not mine with the 5 inch step-up. Thanks for the link. I'll check it out.

Jackie

You could get the small portapottie with a pumpout...so you have a choice... I think I would personally cut the shelf out and get the xcapacity head, if that were possible.

Actually there is plenty of legroom the way I did it. But may turn it on an angle a bit.

I was thinking of a pocket door originally... instead of the door....but a curtain seems easier.

Paul

[Paul S]

I heard the M will go to bifold doors on the head. Also the reason the shelf was placed in the head was if the pottie is placed on the floor it reduces the kneeroom. So you have a choice--Use the small pottie on the shelf and have enough headroom and kneeroom (but less capacity)or cut the shelf and place it on the floor and have enough headroom, (and greater capacity) but compromise the kneeroom.

The later 04 Ms have the bifold door (ours does). But it swings inside, which seems awkward...so I changed it.

On the shelf is way too high IMO, plus the curve of the hull reduces headroom...

Every choice in the head will be a compromise...but unless someone has some serious gas pains....hopefully you won't be in there too long...It is more of a solution than a problem...anyway the owner sets it up.

Paul

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I'm probably going to be selling the new sails that will soon be available for the 26X and 26M, at a discount, as well as the current Genoa and Spinnaker. I've contacted Heath about setting up an ad.

[Mark Prouty]

Bill,

Doesn't that new spinaker come with a pole?

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

I'm not sure of the details or prices yet. I'll let you know when you find out.

[Rolf]

You may like the m head if you don't use the boat often, but trust me, go anywhere overnight and crawling on your knees to hunch over behind a curtain will get very old(and noisy) if anybody else is on the boat. The one feature that impresses me most about the x(besides all the obvious) is the storage. Storage under the seats, berths, and even practical, temporary out of sight and way storage under the table and starboard aft berth. How does the storage stack up in the new M? Under the table and aft berths looks a bit impractical, but how is it under the berths and seats?
Rolf

[Paul S]

You may like the m head if you don't use the boat often, but trust me, go anywhere overnight and crawling on your knees to hunch over behind a curtain will get very old(and noisy) if anybody else is on the boat. The one feature that impresses me most about the x(besides all the obvious) is the storage. Storage under the seats, berths, and even practical, temporary out of sight and way storage under the table and starboard aft berth. How does the storage stack up in the new M? Under the table and aft berths looks a bit impractical, but how is it under the berths and seats?
Rolf

Don't get it...the head location is fine. It is usable and more than acceptable. Is it super, no. I prefer the location better than the X, that is for sure. I don't have any GI problems... so I don't spend a lot of time in the head. I'm 6' 250# and have no issue with the space. What I don't like is the shelf in the 03/04 boat. I pulled it out of our head. I don't know how the fiberglass shelf is going to work in the 05+M though. All I know is there has been no crawling on our boat.

Storage is great in the M. Can't comment on the X...how it compares. But Got loads of space to spare.

Spent about 14 nights on the M between the dealer's and our boat. Haven't found any issue to prevent an overnight stay.

Paul

[Ralf]

Jackie:

Does your new 2005M have the tube for wire routing in the mast as (still) specified on McGregor's web site?