Everyone Insults the MacGregor

[npatterson]

Well, I'm a new owner of the 26M and have it docked in a slip. Every day I'm out working on the boat other sailors come by and pull on the rigging and keep saying I should change it, tighten it...redo the entire thing.

Should I listen to these guys? Most of them have sailed for years but everyone of them have either a Hunter or Benatueau (spelling) sailboat.

[Matt19020]

I would reassure them that it is engineered that way and the design has been proven with 5000+ boats. On the other hand if they are pointing out worn or fatigued items based on there expierience, Thank them and possible ask for "upgraded" recomendations or check on this board. Every inch of these boats have been discussed more then once. If I was going to recomend any upgrade I like a second forestay for safety but most members think it is overkill. Look at your rigging and hardware and get familliar with it. You need to modify it untill you feel 100% sure about its safety.

[Boblee]

If your boat is new you shouldn't have any worries providing it has been set up right but have seen a couple that have been modified and their rigging is way out of tune.
Some people are just jealous of the Mac advantages, don't be put off or worry that they can sail better or even that a powerboat can go faster.
When you are enjoying time exploring land based scenics and they are still stuck in a slip or fighting bad weather to get to the same location then you will START to appreciate some of the mac advantages.

[Scott]

just tell them that they should cut off their keels to make their boat trailerable.

The Mac is what it is and it isnt a Benatueau

[Terry]

Give them the benefit of the doubt and take a good look at your shrouds. Are they tight enough? Perhaps they strum the shrouds in passing and notice they are loose and are suggesting a redo. Did you buy the boat new from the dealer or is it new to you but used? Not all dealers tune the rigs to optimum and some previous owners may have changed things for the worse. The shrouds should be taught, but not so tight you can play music on them, but still pretty tight. There are threads here on rig tuning, do a search and read a few to get an idea how your rig should be tuned, it makes a difference. The passing sailors may not be ridiculing but instead may be offering sound advice, so give them the benefit of the doubt and take a good look at your setup, including mast rake.

[bscott]

After you check your rigging according to the suggestions on this board, pick a sailing venue a few hundred miles away and ask them if they would like to caravan to that location and sail with you for a week--that will shut them up

Bob

[Moe]

I'm with Terry on this one. They may be giving you sound advice and you may be too ready to assume they're being snotty, as several respondents are as well.

[dennisneal]

The MacGregor 26M does not have a backstay, which is a conventional rigging element. Rather, it has a topping lift to keep the mainsail boom in place. Besides, its spreader bar is bent into a rearward angle, which keeps the mast at the proper rake angle. These factors may affect the "correct" tension on the sidestay shrouds. I believe that the correct amount of tension on the shrouds is different for each type of sailboat.

On my 26M I can almost "strum" the sidestays when the mast is upright.

You may wish to have the sidestsay tension on your boat checked by a competent dealer as this is a critical factor in the proper setup of your boat.

[pokerrick1]

Next time a passing neighbor fingers your shrouds, tell him to "go strum himself"!!

If you got your boat from a dealer your shrouds are fine and these guys are just "full of IT and themselves"!

Tell them you'll gladly race them for registrations,to a location over land 100 way, and you'll own your boat and theirs too.

I'm TOTALLY ready to ASSUME they are snotty - - - cause they ARE!!!

Rick

[NiceAft]

Rick,

With that attitude, did you voluntarily leave Mexico, or did they throw you out

Ray

[Boblee]

I agree with Rick in this case

With that attitude, did you voluntarily leave Mexico, or did they throw you out

[dennisneal]

Don't assume everyone is a snob. Sure, there are a few out there, but they might also be snobs about their cars and houses as well. I know quite a few people with larger, and smaller boats. Everyone I know is very helpful and I appreciate their advice, (I might not always adopt their ideas, though). Several people who now own much larger Hunters or Catalinas have owned Macs in the past and speak rather fondly of the Ventures and MacGregors they used to own.

The MacGregor 26 is one of the most popular boat designs ever. Period.

[pokerrick1]

Rick,

With that attitude, did you voluntarily leave Mexico, or did they throw you out

Ray

Some of both

Rick

PS Actually, the owners of the other boats at the recreational docks were quite friendly and helpful. There was even an X owner there as I was leaving who trailered his boat in and out several time a week- - - and his name was Rick.

[pokerrick1]

I agree with Rick in this case

With that attitude, did you voluntarily leave Mexico, or did they throw you out

I agree with Rick, too

Rick

[Scott]

I should change it,

Borderline

tighten it...

Sage advice or ignorance?

redo the entire thing.

Snotty