Sell your S or D to Buy a X or M

[Brian Buzz]

Has anyone out there had a Mac S or D and and now have a X or M. I have a chance to buy a Mac M at a very fair price and own a Mac S now. I need to sell it to buy the M and I am afraid that once it's gone I can't get it back. I thought it was a no brainer but started to think about it . My boat is in excellent condition and set up the way I like. The M is a 2006 and like new. I love the headroom on the M and my wife and I would spends nights on it so interior room is important. I need to sell the S for a downpayment and around a 15k loan for the M. I can afford the payments but who wants payments. Can someone who made the switch tell me what you think. I can't test the boat out , it's on the trailer away from the water.

[taime1]

The answer ultimately depends on your needs and the needs of those whom you wish to please.

I bought a 1990 26s in August 2011, barely got any use out of it that summer. In May 2012, I got a slip at a local marina and used it not alot, but some. I have a somewhat reluctant to heel and claustrophobic admiral and two very small boys (they are now 3 and 1 ).

The S was a great sail, was in good shape but had some cosmetic issues, which didn't bother me much, but was a little like wearing jogging pants at a wedding. I knew the Admiral didn't like the look, nor the interior and wasn't big on the sailing part either, so we would just motor about and do day trips with the kids. I did get a weekly sail night out with my brother so we put the S to good use then.

I knew the only way to get the admiral out more was to get a better boat. I spent alot of time on the internet looking for a better option. We looked at a few keel boats and she didn't like them much more. She hated the idea of spending more money on such a toy.

Then, one day, a 2000 was listed for a pretty good price (at least, lower than the keel boats we visited), so I convinced her to go and take a look. One look at the interior and she was pretty much sold. I was lucky that the boat's owner was simply getting out of sailing due to his age, he was the original owner and had never even slept on the boat. In fact, the porta-pottie still has the plastic wrap, never been used.

I put the S for sale and sold it just a few weeks later, for about $250 more than what I paid for it a year before. This got me close enough to the cost of the new that the admiral signed off on the deal!

The admiral is much happier with the creature comforts, still doesn't care for the heel, but she's not ashamed of the . Me, I sometime miss the sailing abilities of the S, but would never go back because the gain in space is so worth it. That, and happy wife makes for a happy life.

[Ixneigh]

Less sail speed more room. If headroom is all you want I would encourage you to look at the cabin extension I built on my venture to get rid of the pop top. It was a bit of work and expence but worth it. Had I done that mod on a 26 boat and not a 22 I doubt I ever would have wanted an M or X enough to actually buy one. Well I love the looks of the M so maybe, but I wouldn't have had the excuse of buying it because I needed more room. I stay on the boat extensively do comfort is very important. Do a google search for unicorn lug rig which will bring up the YouTube video.
Even if you hired the job out it will cost far less the 15 grand. The project made the boat stiffer, lighter and with no noticeable loss of speed. one could also streamline it nicer then I did.
Ix

[dlandersson]

That's a good fear. If you do sell it, try to sell it to someone in northern Indiana, so I can use it.

Has anyone out there had a Mac S or D and and now have a X or M. I have a chance to buy a Mac M at a very fair price and own a Mac S now. I need to sell it to buy the M and I am afraid that once it's gone I can't get it back. I thought it was a no brainer but started to think about it . My boat is in excellent condition and set up the way I like. The M is a 2006 and like new. I love the headroom on the M and my wife and I would spends nights on it so interior room is important. I need to sell the S for a downpayment and around a 15k loan for the M. I can afford the payments but who wants payments. Can someone who made the switch tell me what you think. I can't test the boat out , it's on the trailer away from the water.

[DaveB]

Tho I love the Mac.S my better half loves the headroom of the MacX.
She doesn't have to pay for a New $6200 50 hp motor and all the controls, nor for a $1500 auto pilot, nor for a new Steering system.
Point is you have a Mac.S that way out performs the Xor M in Sailing. You also have a much less maintance in steering with Tiller and rudder and far less cost in a Tiller Autohelm and a much lower cost 10 hp motor. (I don't mind bending over were Costs are 10 times more than a MacS.)
Texas has a very good 1995 MacS for sale at $6500, sounds like a great Deal, Probably close to what your boat is worth.
I can only say I would grab it in a second, Second half says...no can do.
For what it's worth...Keep Second best in mind and please.
Cost me a fortune on my first wife to be self centered on my way.
Dave

Has anyone out there had a Mac S or D and and now have a X or M. I have a chance to buy a Mac M at a very fair price and own a Mac S now. I need to sell it to buy the M and I am afraid that once it's gone I can't get it back. I thought it was a no brainer but started to think about it . My boat is in excellent condition and set up the way I like. The M is a 2006 and like new. I love the headroom on the M and my wife and I would spends nights on it so interior room is important. I need to sell the S for a downpayment and around a 15k loan for the M. I can afford the payments but who wants payments. Can someone who made the switch tell me what you think. I can't test the boat out , it's on the trailer away from the water.

[Brian Buzz]

Thanks so much for your responses. I must have a weird wife. She likes to heal the boat over as far as it goes. All the time my boat ever rounded up, she was at the helm. She rather have the lower headroom in the cabin then the 15k loan. I'm the one that puts my family through this. That's why I'm asking you guys so I don't make another mistake and want to sell this boat in a few months to buy my old boat back. That would be a big headache. Did I mention that the Mac M has a blue hull? See it's things like that that make me want to buy it. Thanks again. I see that all boats are a compromise and you have to find the things that work best for you. I guess I was looking for the easy way out and that was for you to tell me what to do.

[finding41]

Brian get your self a good pop-top cover that doesn't let the bugs in. And another that doesn't let the rain in. It will make a BIG difference on how much the wife likes the standing head room.
There are plans to make your own out in cyber space or on this site. Here is a link to a bunch of instructional videos almost all sailboat related. www.sailright.com
They make it look easy because it is easy.
I'm starting a project to add windows and bug screen on my waterproof pop-top tomorrow!
If you really want a 26X and have 6k kicking around keep looking on sites like jaxed.com. There out there! (I saw 2 last fall...) They don't seem to say long though!

[taime1]

Ultimately, you can either keep the one you have, upgrade it, or sell it and get a new one. From a financial perspective, the investment you make in a change has to bring you some sort of dividend. If your s suits your needs, just keep it make the improvements you want to it. If not, then decide on your budget and if the next boat actually would be better.

It's alot of money, so you want to be sure. But remember, there are always deals to be had, so no need to rush into anything. I'd suggest to go see some of the models before making a decision. In theory, there's no harm is just looking.

This kind of reminds me of when my wife and I decided to go look at a house before being ready to sell the one we lived in. That was a big mistake, because all of a sudden we had the idea that we needed the place we visited and our place was sooooo inadequate, which of course, it really wasn't.

[Brian Buzz]

Thanks for your time and good advice. I can only stare at something for sale for so long before I have to say I'll take it or no thanks. I'm just trying to avoid buyer's remorse or as much as possible.

[Sumner]

We considered an X but bought the S and would do it again, but I can see where the X and M fit a number of people's needs. Like the others have said get out on an X or M and see for yourself.

..I'm starting a project to add windows and bug screen on my waterproof pop-top tomorrow! ..

Sorry off topic, but we are happy with ours now with the mods made to the original one although Ruth would like to make one from scratch. If you haven't seen it here is a link...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... index.html

If you look at the whole pop-top cover page you will see where we later added inside skirts to it and that was a good addition,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[Catigale]

I'm in love with my for cruising but that S is a smoker... If you've got the need for speed under sail you will miss it

I get my fix sailing Harpoons by Boston Whaler...10 minute setup, indestructible hulls, and no depreciation. They sail so well even Captain All- Thumbs can sail them on the tidal Hudson without motor

[Sumner]

.... They sail so well even Captain All- Thumbs can sail them on the tidal Hudson without motor

What happens when the wind goes down and the tide goes out? Do you get picked up down by the Brooklyn Bridge .

I really should get something like that for the local couple small lakes,

Sum

===================================
Our MacGregor 26-S

Our Endeavour 37

Our Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

Mac-Venture Links

[DaveB]

The MacX will fly past a MacS in winds over 10 Knots downwind with a Jib poled out.
The S will smoke ya in any other wind conditions.
MacX can do 8-9 or more knots downwind because of the planing flat bottom hull.
More than that speed is possible but Rudders must be robust.
Max I had on gps was 8.2 knots down wind with Jib poled out at 3 turns around Rurler and full Main in 18 knots of wind.
Both rudders down on a quick release cam.
White Knuckles on the wheel and adridling pumping me up....Called YA HOOO.
Dave

I'm in love with my for cruising but that S is a smoker... If you've got the need for speed under sail you will miss it

I get my fix sailing Harpoons by Boston Whaler...10 minute setup, indestructible hulls, and no depreciation. They sail so well even Captain All- Thumbs can sail them on the tidal Hudson without motor

[dlandersson]

Is this on a river or smallish lake? It sure doesn't sound like a large body of water.

The MacX will fly past a MacS in winds over 10 Knots downwind with a Jib poled out.
The S will smoke ya in any other wind conditions.
MacX can do 8-9 or more knots downwind because of the planing flat bottom hull.
More than that speed is possible but Rudders must be robust.
Max I had on gps was 8.2 knots down wind with Jib poled out at 3 turns around Rurler and full Main in 18 knots of wind.
Both rudders down on a quick release cam.
White Knuckles on the wheel and adridling pumping me up....Called YA HOOO.
Dave

I'm in love with my for cruising but that S is a smoker... If you've got the need for speed under sail you will miss it

I get my fix sailing Harpoons by Boston Whaler...10 minute setup, indestructible hulls, and no depreciation. They sail so well even Captain All- Thumbs can sail them on the tidal Hudson without motor

[Johnacuda]

Wow, there is the question. i have an , and I have had more traditional sailboats as well. the Hudson has enough room for me to move around, and enough variation in conditions to keep me from getting bored. Even though a traditional boat wil outsail an or in light winds, it is still pretty slow sailing in light wind. Knowing your boat almost makes up for it in most conditions. the factos that influenced my move to the were comfort for overnights, and speed.when I needed it. Honestly though, if you are anything like me, I'm just happy to be on the water. I don't think you can make a bad choice here.