Anyone in or near Pinellas County, FL?

[JohnWood]

I am shopping for a family boat. I've been a sailor since I was very young, and I want to share this with my family. I have a wife and four children, from 9 years old to almost one year. I hope to buy between now and January. At the top of my list is a MAC 26D or 26S. I think this would be a great family weekender. I won't buy a boat I can't trailor. My 2nd choice so far is a MAC 25. The MAC 25 could sleep everyone, although a bit crowded while they're young, but I worry it will have only daysailing usefulness when the kids get older.

I've been scouring classified, and see a few good deals, but most are a long drive away. Coming from a mostly racing background, I've sailed many boats, but never a Macgregor. I hear that they are fast, but the name is taboo in the racing community, so you just don't see them. I'm hoping that it makes a good PHRF sleeper. All of my window shopping and reading has been online, and there's only so much you can glean from a computer screen. Aside from one Mac 21, I haven't looked at any MacGregor up close, much less sailed one, and evaluated it size, durability, etc with my own eyes.

I've also been looking out for Hunter 23.5 and Catalina 250, but they tend to be much more expensive, and I don't know if they're any better of a boat.

I live in Largo,FL. Is there anyone in or near Pinellas county who owns a MAC 26D or 26s (1986-1995) or a Mac 25? If so, would you mind letting me come and look at your boat so I can see what I'm shopping for before I drive as far as north Georgia chasing craigslist ads?

[kmclemore]

There's not any listed on the classifieds currently here on the forum, but as with anything you're looking for, Searchtempest is your friend.

Check it out:

http://www.searchtempest.com/results.ph ... subcat=sss

[mastreb]

A family of six is going to be tight, even on the 26M which has the most useable interior space of all the small macs. We have three kids, 9, 11, and 13, and it provides just enough room for us. One more kid would be possible, but not two.

While I've not seen the interiors of the 26D or S, I know they're shorter than the M and I'm pretty sure the aft berth is shorter, so be sure to get the entire crew aboard to test before you buy.

[Whipsyjac]

I see you checked out Grady's video already...search Grady, Sumner, and Newell check out their posts to get the skinny on 26 S&D boats. There has been alot of race coverage, participation, and podium finishes by these guys.

You could consider a challenge and look into an There is room for your whole family. You would need to learn some "tricks" to sail one but they do sail. Maybe nota PHRF sleeper but then again maybe the "biggest" sleeper. With a 9.9 instead of a 50 horse, a spinnaker with pole, custom adjustable back stay and a boomkicker you'll do 3 knots when the skipper of the becalmed Catalina beside you sneezes

Seriously they often get handicapped so high that a good skipper with a light boat can do well.

We've slept comfy with 7 aboard our Me, the admiral, and our 8y.o. in the rear berth. The 13 and 14 year old in the v-berth. Admiral's sister in law and 16 y.o. daughter on converted settee. Everyone can still access the head at night and I can make coffee at the galley without getting anyone up before they're ready to the next morning.

We've made 5kts under sail quite often. We've held over 5.5kts for almost an hour on a reach in 13kts wind(measuered at a nearby weather station). Top momentary speed on GPS reaching across the current 6.4kts.

Whichever Mac you choose I'm sure you'll enjoy it

Willy

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Hi John, we have a bit in common. I have 5 kids and live in Tampa. I sold my O'Day 272 LE and bought a 26X about 10 years ago when I only had 4 kids. I also race on other people's boats most every week down at DIYC. I've been racing there for a couple years but back around 06-07, I used to race at SPYC as well. So if you are interested in a 26X, I might be able to give you some more info. They are probably the most versatile family boat possible for West Florida and over the years I've set mine up to be a fun sailing boat and top notch camping boat. I frequently go on multi-night outings with 4 of my kids on board, got a new trailer last year and have been all over Florida with it including the Keys and Pensacola. Its not going to sail upwind as fast as a more competitive sailboat but on all other points of sail, it is decent enough. I've toyed around with the idea of racing it, but I do have it more set up as a camping boat which adds a lot of weight. I do have enough sails (got new ones earlier this year with sail number, two reef points and draft stripes) and controls to make it a fun boat to sail too. I think the only thing I don't have is a cunningham and of course, since I single hand it a lot, my spinnaker is asym with a snuffer. When our fifth was born back in 06, my wife did stop camping with me because she thought it was too crowded, but she still likes going on daysails and sleeping 5-6 is certainly doable. I've also toyed around with the idea of a full enclosure which would allow 2 to sleep in the cockpit, but have never quite pulled the trigger on that either. My oldest will be off to college in a couple years (one of the little girls in my dated avatar picture) so dynamics will start changing soon. The boat is a very comfortable camper for 2-3 people. The bottom line is that I use this boat a LOT more than any other boat I've owned..and I've owned quite a few. I also never kept a boat before for more than about 6-7 years so I don't expect I'm ever going to sell this boat either..and that does say a lot.

[JohnWood]

Thanks for all of your input. I can tell that the 26S and 26D aren't designed for sleeping 6, but I have a plan. Right now, it will work because they're all so small. Right now, they'll fit nearly anywhere. Eventually, as they get bigger, I plan to build a table that can convert to a bed platform that would connect the port and starboard benches just aft of the galley. This would create a good sized double berth for the boys. For myself and my wife in the big aft berth, this would require midnight access to the head to involve climbing over the boys, but that's not a big deal for me. The girls will take the V-berth. I've also seen blogs of modifications where the V-berth was lengthened by removing the bulkhead forward of the head, and extending the v-berth over the head with a hinged panel. This is a possible future modification.

Dimitri,
Despite the more abundant interior room of the 26X, I'm much more interested in the 26D or the 26S. I'm not just from a sailing background, but a racing one, so I'm probably in the most difficult population to convert to powersailing. Probably more importantly, though, the 26X used boats out there are 2-3 times more expensive than the S or D. If I really want more room, I might look at a hunter 26.
I'm intrigued, though. I wouldn't mind checking out your 26X. You could show off your modifications, and I could get a better idea of how these boats are built. Who knows? You may just convert me to a powersailor. Anything is possible.
We may have rubbed shoulders. I grew up racing in the SPYC youth program, and later coached the summer program for 7 years. I sailed at DIYC many times and even coached their Opti program briefly.

[Dimitri-2000X-Tampa]

Sure John, send me a private note and we can get together sometime. I used to be more of a purist myself, but now tend to keep my family boat and my racing side separate. The turning point for powersailing comes when they get a bit older and get bored of going too slowly. Sometimes, you have to do that 12 mile trip to the beach in under an hour just to keep them interested in going on boat trips.

[Catigale]

John...you can't beat the or for cruising. For my speed fix I day sail small 4.6 or 5.2 metre boats