Subtle changes to the 26M?

[magnetic]

Hello People.

having previously posted here about my Emma Zeff, I went over to the Dark Side for a couple of years (sailing a biggish Beneteau) but, as of tomorrow, I'm back in Macland, as I pick up a nearly-new here in Dubai.

OK, so all the nice brochure- and website pix show the 26M interior with the wood-effect window surrounds; my 2008 model doesn't have them, so I contacted the factory. The answer came back from Laura M-S by email as follows -"The current deck layout of the MacGregor 26M no longer accommodates the wood effect window surrounds". A follow-up phone call cast no further light, other than the Motherhood & Apple Pie statement that a new liner had been introduced to save weight etc. (Apologies if this sounds disrespectful, but I can't really buy into the hull liner being a major weight factor, or the removal of wood trims being a significant contributor).

OK, so no woody bits, but no big issue. Similarly, not really fussed if Mac are still displaying a boat with a fit-out which you can no longer have; however, I was wondering if anyone (e.g. Beene or Highlander) had any insight to any other subtle tweaks which might have occurred prior to the 2009 model year?

In closing, any helpful thoughts on single-line reefing (and whether rigging it alongside lazyjacks is just asking for trouble) would be gratefully received.

Apologies for my apparent disloyalty to owners everywhere - I did try to find one in Dubai, honest I did

Andrew

[c130king]

Andrew,

Welcome back. It has been posted here before that a few years ago the 26M incorporated a few changes...the window trim and the pedastal come to mind...I think there may have been a few others. But as far as I know the brochure hasn't been updated yet with new pictures.

As to Single-line reefing and lazy jacks. I have both and there is no issue. Single line reefing comes back to the cockpit on the port side. My Lazy Jacks used to be raised/lowered by pulling on the end of the line on boom end but I changed it to a "clip on" system that clips on the sides of the boom at the mast end (about a foot back) and the other end (after running up through the lines attached to the shrouds) is clipped to the boom end. If I want to put my sail cover on I unclip the boom end and the mast end clips, pull the lines towards the mast, and sail cover holds the lines in place against the mast. Just reclip when I take the mast cover off...takes about 35.81 seconds on a slow day. When I remove the boom for lowering the mast I bungie the lazy jack lines to the mast and just leave them there...they never come off.

Works well for me.

Good luck in Dubai. It is cold and rainy here in London.

Cheers,
Jim

[mikelinmon]

The brochure has been changed to reflect most recent changes or so I think. Speaking of changes, that's it, Roger is now working on the 70. Unless something comes to mind, some improvement. If you see any old photos or references in it please let me know!
Mike Inmon

[c130king]

Mike,

I just looked at the brochure on the Macgregor website and it still looks just like my 2005M with the wood trim and the same pedastal.

Jim

[Highlander]

my 08 without window trim
http://i844.photobucket.com/albums/ab1/ ... 010006.jpg

J
PS heres another linkhttp://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/viewtopi ... =9&t=13347

http://www.macgregorsailors.com/forum/v ... =8&t=10708

[Russ]

Oh, don't get me started on the factory web site. I wonder if Roger knows that the internetz is. Really, short of posting some crappy links to "new" video of the Mac in 50MPH winds...does Roger even know what a marketing source the web is? And those links sux... comon Rog...put them on Youtube and link them... some "links" don't link. Really amateurish. Rog...when times are lean...don't skimp on your advertising which includes the web site. Go to any other boat builder and you will be awed by their visuals. I can't imagine how may prospective buyers click on the "back" button when they hit this site.

Mike....do you have Roger's ear? PM me if you want discount web development. I'd help him out for the benefit of the product.

/rant]

[c130king]

Are they still selling every Mac they build? If so then why worry about advertising?

[Kelly Hanson East]

Production is limited by environmental regs, not demand.....

[delevi]

Whether they're selling every Mac they build or not, I concur that the current "poor excuse for a web site" is just a joke. Many people judge the quality of a product by the quality of the product's web site. Right or wrong, it's a fact. My wife's in the business at a high level and is baffled by what MacGregor has out there oline. Hard to critisize a guy as successful as Roger, but it is clear that by being too cheap to spend a few bucks for a decent web site, he is costings himself money, be it present or future.

As for getting rid of the wood trim... not an improvement in my opinon. It wasn't much, but it did add some class to the appearance.

[trip01]

Our 2008 26M has no wood look interior window trim. (I like the look without the trim). It looks as though they have been omitted in error as the area where they would attach lacks the glossy finish equal to the rest of the interior lining. IE you can see the area of the frame needs a good cut and polish.

The Pedestal on this M is a fibreglass box casing and not the steel pipe type. It's intention may be extra strength, however it is hard to fit your feet around. In lieu, I walk around it by stepping up on the cockpit seats. (The cockpit cushions are not used).

Being an attention to detail person, I have noticed the Mac's overall finish and micro functional aspects leave a bit to be desired.


Kind Rgds
Dave
2008 26M / Landcruiser HDFT

[Russ]

Whether they're selling every Mac they build or not, I concur that the current "poor excuse for a web site" is just a joke. Many people judge the quality of a product by the quality of the product's web site. Right or wrong, it's a fact. My wife's in the business at a high level and is baffled by what MacGregor has out there oline. Hard to critisize a guy as successful as Roger, but it is clear that by being too cheap to spend a few bucks for a decent web site, he is costings himself money, be it present or future.

As for getting rid of the wood trim... not an improvement in my opinon. It wasn't much, but it did add some class to the appearance.

I couldn't agree more. If Cali is preventing more production, Roger may one day choose to move to Florida (like Hunter did) and make more boats and money.

It could be argued that the web site affects resale values which I'm sure has no impact on Roger. When a prospective buyer for our Boats googles and finds the factory site, their perception of the boat is influenced. It also give the morons at S/A more fodder.
Roger may be selling all he can build, but perceptions are being built now for sales tomorrow.

A member here spoke with Roger at the Annapolis boat show and when he asked Roger if he visits this forum was met with a glazed stare. I get the impression Roger is an old school businessman who is not very net savy. If it works, don't fix it kind of attitude.

He's updated the site with some new videos. Some underlines are links, some aren't. Very sloppy. It appears he is hosting the videos himself instead of using Youtube or some sort of better server.

As for the wood trim, my '08 doesn't have it. I read somewhere it was changed because the trim was causing some sort of problem. Our boats can use all the wood and color they can get. Most of us have added some ourselves.

--Russ

[bwygirl]

Ok, I am scared to even ask this but here it goes. What do people think of Blue Water Yachts web site? We really want it to be informative, and a site that people like. We do most of the work ourselves, with some help from Mr. Dunn ( a big Thank-You to him ), and we don't have time to commit to it full time. We are very busy selling boats, doing demos, sending out parts, rigging boats, and doing service that the web does get pushed to the bottom of the list. I feel that the web is very important and we do plan some more updates to our site. I thought that the new site of Rogers looked real good...guess I need think harder about it. So...go ahead, please tell me what you think we can do ( ourselves ) to improve our site. If you want to call or just email me and not bother the entire board it is ok. Thanks

[dvideohd]

I have some web page design responsibilities - for 4 different sites... it is a LOT of work to do web site work... keeps my up late.. and causes me to get up early....

that said.....

It is JUST TOO DIFFICULT to navigate to the order page... your list is pretty "limited" - compared to mail order - but it is hard to navigate around and get to the catalog... I think that one hurts you in the sales numbers...

I think the buttons on the left could be improved...

there are stock web sites out there that don;t cost much - if anything - to use as a base.... might be worth some time this winter to go check them out....

--jerry

[bwygirl]

Thank You Jerry, Ok everyone else we need more opinions! I agree that the parts order seems hard to navigate. The buttons on the left can be upgraded. Didn't know you can buy a base web site. I will check into that to see what would be involved. Thank You All.

[seahouse]

Hi all--

I may be corrected, (please do) but I thought the "wood" was really MDF or something similar, AKA "wud".

AFAIK it's function was to accept the end of the screws that hold the window in, but such and arrangement, being tenuous at best in consideration of the continuous flexing that happens in a sailboat, was replaced with a boss moulded in the 'glass to accept a threaded fastener that makes the window less likely to leak.

I've never seen the frame live and up close, but its overall form (tight edge radii) and finish leave me with impression of "wud", even though it might actually be real wood. I view the frame's absence as an enhancement to both the form and function of the Mac.

Since wood enhances the warmth and hominess of the interior of a boat, it would be a fairly simple matter for someone so inclined and handy with a router to make up frames for the windows, complete with larger edge radii.

My personal "quest" for an Mac-appropriate tow vehicle landed me on the Lincoln MKT, which has a 4500# towing capacity. The trailer yaw control of this vehicle gives you a margin of safety that you could only get in a vehicle of a much larger towing capacity. 350lb-ft of torque and 355 HP from a turbo will give you the power over the mountains. And it's a practical vehicle for everyday when you're not towing anything behind you.

I notice that our common bond (the Mac) here contrasts with the wide preference in our choice of tow vehicles!

(Note that I have not put the money down for either yet!!!)

Regards - Brian.