Looking at purhcasing a 1999 X, anything particular to pay e

[vitger]

Hi,
I already own a classic 1995 S, so I do not need introduction to Macs in general. Just wanna know if there is anything particular about the 99s to pay extra attention to? I confirmed that it is not a balsa core deck (according to the factory they replaced those in March 1998 contrary to what I have previously read being March of 1999).

It has a 2006 Evinrude E-tec 40 HP engine on it. 135% genoa. Also what would be a fair price for one in excellent condition (very few mods, two anchors, two batteries with switch, maybe a bimini, outside cushions, fishfinder)

Thanks in advance,
Balazs

[John McDonough]

The Mac 26X was improved and upgraded in 2000. I owned a 1997 Mac 26X. I really didnt like the boat. I was going to sell it and buy something better. I went to the January 2000 boat show and everything I disliked about the 1997 26X was improved or upgraded on the Mac 26X on display.
I already had a buyer for my 1997 26X, so I ended up buying a new 2000 26X. Definitly Improved.

[opie]

Balasz,

There is not much to go wrong, as you know. And since you are an experienced Mac owner, not much to suggest....

Anyway, a couple of thoughts. 1- Check the outboard tilt motor for rust as there is an area that is hard to freshwater rinse between the tilt motor and transom. 2- Dropping the CB would not be hard to do so as to check for damage, lifting line and pivot bar. 3- If on the hard, have it rigged up to check shrouds, spreaders, furler and other rigging and also unfold the sails. 4- Use a hydrometer to check the batteries. 5- Turn on and use all electronics and lights. 6- Check for water in the bilges and then run a light stream of water from a hose on all topside joints and rub rail and then check inside again. 7- You know what to look for on trailers. Get underneath and shine a light on the brakes up close to check them for rusting.

enjoy....

[Snyds]

Balaz,

I have not seen any special problems with my 99 and I looked into it big time when I bought. I think that you will get a lot of "preferences" but nothing major. Just like the White vs Blue hull argument, much more of a preference than a real issue (since white is faster )

I'm interested to see what you are paying and what others say, I'd (unfortunately) like to sell mine in the spring... I have found that price's vary greatly by location. Boats on big water seem to be much more expensive then places like CO!

Keep me posted on your endeavors!

[LOUIS B HOLUB]

Balazs...We also owned a Mac "S" (1992), and stepped up to a '99 Mac X. We enjoy the larger cabin, which was the main reason for change, along with the larger 50 HP engine. The larger cabin space and bigger engine met our needs much better.

Most of the things to look for are already answered by earlier answers in your thread...I just hope you enjoy the "X" as much as we've enjoyed ours. We keep ours in a Marina slip full time...always "ready to go"

We purchased our "X" knowing it had very limited use and it had been allowed to set up. We didnt even put it in the water to check things out during the purchase. We've had no problems.

The "X" provides two boats in one: a cabin cruizer, and sail boat. And both are comfortable for camping and overnighting. I've also found the "X" more fun for "mods" also -- there are almost endless ideas with this boat.

Hope you enjoy your '99 X as much as we...
Happy Sailing & motoring.

[restless]

Run your hand along the grp all round the boat on the 'edge' just above the bump stripe. Any repairs will be found much quicker than trying to look.
Before sailing make sure the forestay top part by the telurite is not frayed or messed.. ours hung on by 2 strands... if that goes the mast will come down on the cockpit.
Leaky ballast tanks are worth checking for. Otherwise a pretty robost lightweight I think.
Enjoy!

[vitger]

John,
You say "upgraded" in 2000, what exactly do you mean? Can you elaborate on what you like more about your 2000 model?

Thanks everybody for the responses, wow, I didn't expect so many so soon. Looks like a nice lively forum. The trailersailor forum that I had been following (mostly classic owners) is a lot less active these days.

I am trying to pay 12,000 for the above boat, we'll see if I get it.
I am having a marine surveyor look at it for me, since I am in Canada far north. Will forward him your recommendations.

Cheers,
Balazs

[ROAD Soldier]

John,
You say "upgraded" in 2000, what exactly do you mean? Can you elaborate on what you like more about your 2000 model?

Thanks everybody for the responses, wow, I didn't expect so many so soon. Looks like a nice lively forum. The trailersailor forum that I had been following (mostly classic owners) is a lot less active these days.

I am trying to pay 12,000 for the above boat, we'll see if I get it.
I am having a marine surveyor look at it for me, since I am in Canada far north. Will forward him your recommendations.

Cheers,
Balazs

He probable relating to the stainless steel rudder brackets that a 1999 has also instead of aluminum ones a 1997. Along with a larger fill and discharge valve on a which is also on a 1999. The plug on the inside was moved to the bow also on a 1999 instead of being by the companion way like a 1997. The only difference I know of between a 1999 and 2000 is that in 1999 they had 2 different steering systems depending if you had an early 1999 like mine or a later one that all 2000 models have. Mine had the rotary system and later that year Macs went to a rack and pinion one. However don't worry about that because both stock versions are total crap. Mine is now a universal brand planetary system after having the stock set up break on me and I wound up steering the boat by sitting on the engine and holding the rudders in my arms for 15 miles.

[John McDonough]

2000 upgrades.. Besides the stainless steel parts and the stronger improved deck, I think they had changed the water ballast tank balance. I know there were a few other changes but that was ten years ago. I was looking into buying a Sailboat, not another motor sailer, but I got such a good offer on my 1997, i sold it and I got a deal on a New 26X so i just bought it figuring I could easily recover the cost. I just know the 2000 model seemed to be a much better sailboat, and once you get spoiled with a 50 HP motor and long range cruising ability, its hard beat the versability of a Mac motorsailer. (unless you can afford a Odin)

When the new owner of my 1997 arrived at my house to take his boat, my son was playing with the steering wheel. "Daddy the boat wont turn" He then forces it and the cable snapped. I knocked off $100.00. I`m sure glad I wasnt out in rough weather when the steering failed.
(I hope the guy I sold this boat too, isnt reading this. I dont think he is a member)

What convinced me the most to keep my 26X was in 2002 when I took a Caribean Cruise. While at Martinique they had a a small fleet of America cup Yachts. We only had enough folks for 2 boats. USA & Canada. Being I was the only real person that knew anything about sailing I was captain of Canada. Each boat had 2 crew who work for tips, they just instruct everybody what to do. No spinakers and the Mains sails were cut down to 2/3 original size. We won a 21 mile triangle race by only 2 boat lengths. I could of won by a mile, but 8 young girls with skimpy bathing suits was a total distraction for my 2 men crew and the 2 male workers.

It was fun, but I really dont think sailing an Americas cup was anymore exciting than sailing my Mac 26X. The Americas cup boat was just too smooth. I know I was going fast, but.... Even if someone gave me a boat that big, I couldnt afford the docking fee`s and upkeep. You really dont relize how slow a Mac is until somebody sails past you. You are already a winner if you are out on the water.

[K9Kampers]

You really dont relize how slow a Mac is until somebody sails past you. You are already a winner if you are out on the water.

The trick is to tack away before they pass you!

[John McDonough]

You really dont relize how slow a Mac is until somebody sails past you.

The trick is to tack away before they pass you!

Or turn on the motor with just enough speed to escape with dignity..

October 2008 I had posted that my Mac 26X had outsailed a Catalina 27. It was rough, wet and cold and we were the only 2 boats out that day, in the bay. I was only using my Genoa, and the Catalina had full Main. I was beating this guy on all points of Sail. The following weekend when I was taking the boat home for the winter, I met the 27 Catalina at the dock. I talked to the owner. He had just bought the boat cheap, and was stuck in Erie Pa, waiting for calmer weather to continue on to Ohio. The Bottom of the Catalina looked like it had grown a beard of green algea. I lent him my long handle brush and helped him remove most of the growth. I drove him to the hardware store where he bought a stiffer brush.

Just when I thought I was Mr. Fast, I turned out to be Mr. Bully.

I dont use anti fouling paint. I know a shallow sanbar where i stop to clean the bottom. With a long handle brush I can walk around the boat in less than 5 minutes removing the slime. If its been more than a week I walk around with a rough spoonge to remove the hard stuff. I take my Sailing serious. I take my fuel economy serious.

A clean bottom is a faster bottom, and instead of being in last place by a mile, you will only be in last place by 1/2 mile.

[John McDonough]

The only difference I know of between a 1999 and 2000 is that in 1999 they had 2 different steering systems depending if you had an early 1999 like mine or a later one that all 2000 models have.

I wound up steering the boat by sitting on the engine and holding the rudders in my arms for 15 miles.

My 26X was one of the earliest manufacatured. It may of come out of the mold in 1996. It was only used once when I bought it. The Main was still folded from the factory. It sat uncovered under a Oak tree for 2 years. It was so dirty and stained from the oak, is why I got it so cheap. I used it maybe 10 weekends the summer of 99. Steering cable broke the day I sold it.

The original owner had a small Cabin, outhouse, and dock at a small 10 acre lake in central Pa. His cabin was too small and old. He was going to live on the Mac tied to the dock. a few weeks after he bought the boat, the Govt inspected the lake, condemmed the dam and drained the lake.

To avoid a Steering failure, I thought about changing the system, but its so easy to Disassemble, clean, and lubricate the existing cable. I see not sign of wear, and the wheel shows no sign of resistance. No Salt water in the Great Lakes or Ohio River.

[nedmiller]

I would have someone check the trailer too since it can unexpectedly cost you to get it in shape. Do the brakes work? Are the tires in good shape? Does it have a spare? This was mentioned before, but check for serious rust!
SILK

[vitger]

Hello again,
I ended up putting a deposit on this 2000 beauty:

http://www.youtube.com/user/milotumutan ... C2hnmH2dM0

anybody know where the matresses for the dinette "bed"/berth are stored normally? When you drop the table, do the backrests come down and lay on the table to form the "bed"?

Also, someone mentioned upgrades from 1999 to 2000, what were these?

Cheers,
Balazs

[Craig LaForce]

Wow, that's a nice boat. If you got it for under 20K you got a deal.
That is a high priced Wallas stove/heater on there. forget the price but I think they go for a couple thousand at least. The only caveat is that they are supposedly very picky about the fuel quality or they malfunction.
Nice little bilge pump setup, nice curtains and good idea on the port side bench modification.

That salesman was not very knowledgeable about the boat. Yup anchors are a good thing. Every question answered by the rustling of papers and
that was about it.

I still like my 97 even though I continually read here that it is so terrible. Well, my cleats are still fine, the motor, steering, mast, etc all work great. the centerboard is still fine. Had to replace the rudder brackets and that's about it.

Suggest if your new boat does not already have a bungee cord rudder hold down arrangement that you buy some heavy bungee and some hog rings. for about 40 bucks this will allow your rudders to kick up if you hit ground rather than damaging them.

The factory design modifications made in the couple years leading up to 2000 were stainless steel docking cleats, foam core instead of balsa on the deck, The steering at some point became rack and pinion type, the rudder heads were changed from aluminum to stainless steel, the rudder shape was changed from a large oval shape (which I prefer), to a smaller triangular shape (this boat needs all the rudder in the water it can get). I think they changed to a slightly different nav light on the bow (on the pulpit rail rather than on deck).. The ballast valve was enlarged (my 97 has the large valve, so that must have happened just before 97.

There are no extra mattresses for the dinette berth. If you look at old posts, someone figured out how you can rearrange all the seat cushions to make a berth.
I simply went out and bought a vinyl covered tri-fold mattress that I happened to run across at a Sam's or BJ's wholesale club. I converted this to a full time berth made of plywood and ditched the flabby table. I made a permanent table on the port side in from of the galley, with a shelf and paper towel roller underneath.

If the previous owner did not already balance the helm by adjusting the mast position, this is another thing you might want to do, the boat originally comes with too much weather helm from the mast being tilted back too far. Search for mast tuning or rake adjustment for details.

Hope this helps.