New Member w/Mac Purchase Issues?

[MBertin]

Hi every one,

I was looking to buy a MacGregor with the feature of sailing and power boat (at least to move faster against the current). I still not decide yet on the model. I was looking if you have some hint in regard to 2 boat that I am seriously looking at . One is a McGregor 1986 with an engine 25 HP and the other is a McGregor 26X 1995 with a 50HP. In fact what I was looking is a sailboat that can be trailed. Since I will use near Montreal where there is some current, the engine is a good option. Also some place the water level could be as low as 3 feet. Base on these requirement, I feel that McGregor is a good choice but which one. My budget is between 10000.00 to 20000.00$.
Let me know what are your recommendation.

PS: I read that McGregor is really poor under sail. Do you have any comment. This is important since my primary purpose of the McGregor is sailing.

Thank you for your comments,

Marc,

[johnnyonspot]

A budget of 10k to 20k will get you whichever Mac you want on the used market. I must admit to being a bit confused by the 1986 Mac with a 25 HP OB. That size motor would only go on the powersailors, like the X, M, or 19. In any event, if sailing prowess is what you seek, and motoring is a secondary concern, then I suggest one of the classics, either the 26D or 26S. Never ridden one but from what I read they sail very well and the D is reputed to be the fastest of the Macs under sail (excluding the 65 and 36 of course). The S is probably not far behind.

[MBertin]

Thank johnnyonspot,
I received a comment that Keel need to be a pivoting type and not the slidding type (risk of more damge upon a strike on rock). Do you have a site I could go to see the different version of MacGregor configuration thru the years? I surf a bit but could not find a good site so far. Also do you know from which year they start to use a steering wheel?
At 10K it seem easy to find in USA but when looking in Canada it turn to be closer to 20K.
Marc,

[c130king]

Marc,

Up on the top of the page you are currently looking at put your mouse on "Resources" and click on "Sailing Links". Once that page opens there is a list of link topics...click on "Personal Mac Pages". And then select "Macgregor Boating Page".

Or click HERE.

This site has a lot of data on different Mac models...but no pictures.

What ever you do DO NOT GET A BLUE HULL...they are too slow



Good Luck,
Jim

[WD]

A couple more links that maybe useful in choosing a model, but it does sound as though a 26S or C would fit the requirements. I wouldn't hesitate buying in the US, the CDN prices are out to lunch(propably a left over from the old exchange rates and going to take so time to come into alignment). There is info available on the net and elsewhere to assist in making a US purchase much smoother(i think i have some links somewhere if you need then pm me).

http://www.sailboatowners.com/reviews/r ... &model=26S
http://www.tompatterson.com/Sailing/Sai ... ing12a.php

Cheers };~)

[johnnyonspot]

Yes, I believe your preference for the 26S over the D is on the money. The swing keel is nice in a grounding if you gotta go there. I scraped mine on my former Mac 25 more than once. Any dropoff in performance relative to the D should be negligible and counterbalanced by the 'depth finder' feature of the S. I also agree sailboat prices in Canada are outrageous. I've seen Siren 17s for sale asking $4k and up. Since the Macs are made in the U.S., under NAFTA you may only have to pay GST to import one into Canada is my guess.