thinking of buying a 1998 mac 26x advise please?

[kevinnem]

Okay guys, . looking for some help from the comunitee here, either a "go for it" or "let it go, there is always another boat".

My situation is this, I have found a boat for sale, locally, here in the calgary area.

The boat is a mac gregor 26x, 1998. There is some hairline cracks in a few places. the bottom did have a big scrape on it, and the bow did take a hit at some point. The front hit is about 1 foot long, and was "DIY" repaired, not very well.

I have negotated with the seller to come out and sail it for a few hours, to show me how to rig it, and ensure it doesn't leak or anything.

The unit comes with some standard mac equipment, the head, mast raiseing sysstem, roller fullering jib and genoa, it also comes with spiniker (not sure about a spiniker pole), BBQ, life jackets, and a few other things...

Other then potential issues with the hull mentioned before, the BIG issue is the trailer brakes don't work, it has a "surge brake system" installed, in it, but the system was locking up and stuff, so he pulled some parts out. I do not know if I can fix them my self. Even if I can, I expect this to be expensive. On another board someone linked some disk brakes that might work.

In Canada, if the trailer is over 50% of the weight of the vehical, and over 2000lbs, you need brakes. For the sake of a trip here or there in the first season, I might wait untill winter to do this, even though it is kinda illegial. I am towing with a 2003 toyota 4 runner (base model, the "sr5", with v6).

The boat has a 50 HP 2 stoke johnson motor, The motor tilts up and town, but the switch on the throttle to do this is broken I think.

It has 2 bateries. Other wise, fairly "sparten".

The price, is 12, 000. (for the sake of arguement, canadian and USA prices are the same). The fellow will not go below this. most mac's in my area start about 16, 000.

What do you guys think????

Please post any, and all thoughts, I truely thank you for your time.

[dlandersson]

Given the issues, if he will not come down, there are several Mac26X's for sale in that price range without those issues. I found uship.com to be a very reasonable way of getting my 26X from Colorado to Illinois for a few hundred dollars.

http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_trkparms=6 ... op=1&_sc=1

Okay guys, . looking for some help from the comunitee here, either a "go for it" or "let it go, there is always another boat".

My situation is this, I have found a boat for sale, locally, here in the calgary area.

The boat is a mac gregor 26x, 1998. There is some hairline cracks in a few places. the bottom did have a big scrape on it, and the bow did take a hit at some point. The front hit is about 1 foot long, and was "DIY" repaired, not very well.

I have negotated with the seller to come out and sail it for a few hours, to show me how to rig it, and ensure it doesn't leak or anything.

The unit comes with some standard mac equipment, the head, mast raiseing sysstem, roller fullering jib and genoa, it also comes with spiniker (not sure about a spiniker pole), BBQ, life jackets, and a few other things...

Other then potential issues with the hull mentioned before, the BIG issue is the trailer brakes don't work, it has a "surge brake system" installed, in it, but the system was locking up and stuff, so he pulled some parts out. I do not know if I can fix them my self. Even if I can, I expect this to be expensive. On another board someone linked some disk brakes that might work.

In Canada, if the trailer is over 50% of the weight of the vehical, and over 2000lbs, you need brakes. For the sake of a trip here or there in the first season, I might wait untill winter to do this, even though it is kinda illegial. I am towing with a 2003 toyota 4 runner (base model, the "sr5", with v6).

The boat has a 50 HP 2 stoke johnson motor, The motor tilts up and town, but the switch on the throttle to do this is broken I think.

It has 2 bateries. Other wise, fairly "sparten".

The price, is 12, 000. (for the sake of arguement, canadian and USA prices are the same). The fellow will not go below this. most mac's in my area start about 16, 000.

What do you guys think????

Please post any, and all thoughts, I truely thank you for your time.

[Trouts Dream]

I live in Calgary and have had a 97X for 4 years. Let me know if the boat is out at Ghost and I can meet you out there.
I sent a PM with my contact info.
Greg

[coolchange]

RE the trailer brakes...I just re-did mine...both sides full replacement of all brake components (4 bolts each side) and the hitch/actuator (was welded on and bolted, now just bolted)...all the parts were under $300 usd

The nice thing about a bare bones Mac is it will be yours to modify, and it seems everyone does, and you don't have to live with the mods of others ( and pay for them as well)...that said I would love to have gotten full canvas and radar but then the boat would have been a lot more expensive.

PS all sellers are firm until cash starts walking away.

[Catigale]

PS all sellers are firm until cash starts walking away.

Classic...

[Chinook]

Regarding hull issues, nothing you mention suggests serious structural issues. I think most X hulls will have small gelcoat fractures here and there. Scrape on the bottom can easily be addressed, so long as doesn't reflect structural breakage ( I have a scrape or two myself). Bow damage sounds cosmetic but not affecting seaworthiness of the boat. These items sale value, but can readily be fixed by a good fiberglass man.

[40Toes]

In Canada, if the trailer is over 50% of the weight of the vehical, and over 2000lbs, you need brakes. For the sake of a trip here or there in the first season, I might wait untill winter to do this, even though it is kinda illegial. I am towing with a 2003 toyota 4 runner (base model, the "sr5", with v6).

I had a complete brake job done at a local shop and it was around $1000 with the new actuator and free backing. Free backing (I think that is the proper name) will not lock up your brakes when you are backing up. Additionally, I put a flush kit in because I use the boat in salt water. I was towing with an 03 Explorer and there was a noticable difference between towing with and without the brakes - especially on those downhill runs.

[Catigale]

12000 + 1000 brakes is less than 16000....I would say got for it.

[kevinnem]

hmm, forum just ate my post.

Anyway, thinks to everyone for yoru help, especially the recomendation from Greg Trout. In my local area that I spoke on teh phone with yesterday.

On his advice I have hired someoen to look at the engine, only 100$ so this will remove a lot of uncertinly from the deal.

I have accepted the sellers offer, pursutent to him giving the time for the engine inspection, and a 1/2 day "set up lesson".

Could own this bad boy by the end of the weekend.

It would be sweat if I had her up and runnign for the auguest long weekend.

Kevin.

[dlandersson]

It's a worthy goal to shoot for. Here in the Chicago area it's 96-100 degrees - but in the 70's on the water.

hmm, forum just ate my post.

Anyway, thinks to everyone for yoru help, especially the recomendation from Greg Trout. In my local area that I spoke on teh phone with yesterday.

On his advice I have hired someoen to look at the engine, only 100$ so this will remove a lot of uncertinly from the deal.

I have accepted the sellers offer, pursutent to him giving the time for the engine inspection, and a 1/2 day "set up lesson".

Could own this bad boy by the end of the weekend.

It would be sweat if I had her up and runnign for the auguest long weekend.

Kevin.

[kevinnem]

Well, Things are not going as smoothly as one would have thought.

The weekend came and went. I couldn't ge the engine inspection done, because the seller didn't want anyone on his property when he was not around.

So it was supose to happen last night, it didn't cause the guy that was to do the inspection is a flake.

I am getting kinda frusterated here, I have a meeting tonight, at the lake with the seller - he will show me how to set it up and all. I guess I will jstu have to take my chances with the engine? We are doing a lake test, is there anything I can do (other then just running teh engine full out and making sure it doesn't explode) to ensure I am not getting a lemmon?


Thanks all, for your continued help. I have 12 hours to wrap this bad boy up.

[Chinook]

I don't see where you mention what kind of engine the boat has. Is it a 2 stroke, 4 stroke, or injected 2 stroke like the Evinrude ETEC or Nissan TLDI? Age of engine? Does the current owner have maintenance records? Does the owner have the maintenance manual for the engine? Can you check to determine how many hours are on the engine? When is the last time the lower unit oil has been changed? Last time the impeller was changed? Regarding the engine, pull the cowling off and just give it a look see. Are things fairly clean in there, or does it show evidence of leaks, cracked hoses, etc? Pull the spark plugs and see how they look. Does the engine start right up? How smoothly or roughly does it run at idle speed, and at various other speeds all the way up to full throttle? Does it put out a strong stream from the "pee hole"? Does it smoke badly? You could also contact a nearby boat dealer or outboard engine mechanic, or try checking on line, to see what the general reputation of the engine is. I'm a long way from being an expert on outboards, but these are things I'd consider doing in helping decide whether the engine is likely to provide decent service in the foreseeable future.

[kevinnem]

well, things have gone kinda sideways.....

I am pretty frusterated.

long story short -

The engine test didn't happen, Was able (after much discussion) to meet the owner at the lake, to show me how to set up the boat, and take it for the test drive.

Well I get to the lake, and he shws up 10 mins later, .. says he doesn't want to raise the mast and stuff, jsut to take it for a motor around..

I told him that wasn't cool, that I could give him most ofthe money, bt would hold back 2000 untill I set up tha tsails this weekend.

he didn't want any part of it.. wanted all his money tonight, with out showing me that the sail boat - sails.

He left in a huff -- I was sitting there, with full paymnet in my pocket, and this guy was 2 hours form closeing the deal . All he had to do was head out, pull the sails up , ... sail for 15 mins, . and pull them down - DONE.

I don't kwno what to do at this point.. I mean the dude drove over an hour to get there, and then didn't want to put the mast up , and sails up .. THAT IS WHAT WE WERE THERE TO DO !


Anyway, kinda annoyied, . not even sure if I should email this guy tomorrow or what??????


Ugg....

[Trouts Dream]

2 signs that maybe this boat isn't for you...guy flakes to check out the motor and owner won't show you the sails.

Maybe let him know if he changes his mind to email you and then start looking again. There are lots of other reputable people that need to sell their boats and buying one from the US is actually pretty simple...thats where mine came from.

Some people on this board may even be able to help you out by having a first look at it.

[Carl Noble]

Don't walk away from the deal........................RUN !!! It's sounds like this guy is hiding something from you or just a complete idiot.
Anyone who is honestly selling you a boat should be bending over backward to help you feel good about purchasing it. There are plently of honest, good sailors selling Mac's out there. You may have to travel some to get your Mac but in the long run it will be worth it. As Trout said there are reliable people on the board who would pre-check a boat for you if it was some distance away from you but close to them. Also I got the impression that you were going to pay cash for this boat. I would advise paying cash only for the down payment ($100-500) and when you get the title/registration or whatever the local govt. uses to prove ownership for the boat, then give a cashiers check. (Has traceable proof that you paid for the boat.)

Good luck in your decision, you already made a good one to buy a Mac.