Will a Macgregor 26C be a good fit for me?

[SlowSL]

Hello everyone, new potential owner here. I've thought about purchasing a trailerable boat recently. After some amount of research, I think a classic Mac will work well for my family. Boat/trailer/gear weight is a bit of an issue. My current SUV has a 5,800lb. towing capacity, however we are looking into purchasing another which is only rated at 4,000lbs. I think it would be at the limit, however I will probably keep the old truck and be able to use it to tow if needed. The 26S seems to be a good candidate, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. I've never owned a cruiser, however I've been sailing 16' and smaller dinghys for about 28 years, since I was a little kid. I'm also not set on a Macgregor, I'm completely open to suggestions, but my research has brought me to the 26S or D. I'm not looking for a power cruiser like the newer ones, and would like to stay around $6,000 or less. I like the shallow draft for getting into shallow areas a little better. I'm located between Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, so most of our water time will be on the Great Lakes, mainly 1-4 day trips throughout the year. We have three children under 12, will we be able to sleep comfortably? I'd also like to be able to have a couple extra guests from time to time on a day trip, or possibly an overnighter, are there any tricks to sleeping 4 adults and three kids, or is that too much? I've read that the dinette can convert to another berth. I've also thought about getting from the boat to land while anchored offshore. What is typically used? Will an inflatable store onboard out of the way? Do you tow behind a dinghy? I'm curious what everyone does. Aside from the usual instruments & gear, anything to consider that might make life easier?

[Jimmyt]

Hello everyone, new potential owner here. I've thought about purchasing a trailerable boat recently. After some amount of research, I think a classic Mac will work well for my family. Boat/trailer/gear weight is a bit of an issue. My current SUV has a 5,800lb. towing capacity, however we are looking into purchasing another which is only rated at 4,000lbs. I think it would be at the limit, however I will probably keep the old truck and be able to use it to tow if needed. The 26S seems to be a good candidate, but I'd like to hear your thoughts. I've never owned a cruiser, however I've been sailing 16' and smaller dinghys for about 28 years, since I was a little kid. I'm also not set on a Macgregor, I'm completely open to suggestions, but my research has brought me to the 26S or D. I'm not looking for a power cruiser like the newer ones, and would like to stay around $6,000 or less. I like the shallow draft for getting into shallow areas a little better. I'm located between Lake Erie and Lake Michigan, so most of our water time will be on the Great Lakes, mainly 1-4 day trips throughout the year. We have three children under 12, will we be able to sleep comfortably? I'd also like to be able to have a couple extra guests from time to time on a day trip, or possibly an overnighter, are there any tricks to sleeping 4 adults and three kids, or is that too much? I've read that the dinette can convert to another berth. I've also thought about getting from the boat to land while anchored offshore. What is typically used? Will an inflatable store onboard out of the way? Do you tow behind a dinghy? I'm curious what everyone does. Aside from the usual instruments & gear, anything to consider that might make life easier?

First, Welcome to the Forum!

Now, to your great questions.
These are my opinions. Take with a grain of salt...

A 26S would probably work for 2 adults and 3 kids just fine. If you add 2 more adults, you are probably out of the comfortable range and into survival mode. Of course, that depends on what size adults and kids we're talking about... Hope an S owner will chime in. I've had 6 adults (all family) on mine for a day sail and it's not bad. It would be tight for an overnight. I probably wouldn't try an overnight with more than 4 unless they were family or super close friends. Toileting facilities are going to be an issue with 7 on board overnight - unless they are used to sharing a toilet with 6 other people.

You need to consider the boat's weight limits. The M boat is limited to 6 persons, 960 lbs. I couldn't find the S limit in the manual, but maybe someone else will chime in.

The S is a water ballasted boat (as is, the M). When you drop it in the water, you need to fill the ballast before the crew boards and starts running around on deck. I've been on an S at dock without ballast, and it's quite tender. Great boat, though, and they sail well.

You can easily tow a dinghy behind, but the beauty of a shallow draft boat is you can get pretty close to shore with it. If there is calm water and sandy bottom, you wouldn't really need a dinghy. Deep drop off, and rocky shoreline - another story.

Sumner is a legendary Macgregor 26s owner. You can read about some of his trips, mods, etc. here: http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... index.html
Might give you a better feel for the boat.

Lastly, I hope someone familiar with Erie and Michigan sailing will chime in regarding the suitability of the 26s for the waters. I've never sailed on either, so no comment.

If you intend to do 4 adults and 3 kids for overnighting, you might need to look for a bigger boat. Also, be aware that trailering every time you use the boat, requires setting up and taking down the rig. This will be time consuming the first few times you do it. I'm down to about 20 minutes setup and about 45 - 50 minutes to get it ready to trailer home.

[SlowSL]

A 26S would probably work for 2 adults and 3 kids just fine. If you add 2 more adults, you are probably out of the comfortable range and into survival mode. Of course, that depends on what size adults and kids we're talking about... Hope an S owner will chime in. I've had 6 adults (all family) on mine for a day sail and it's not bad. It would be tight for an overnight. I probably wouldn't try an overnight with more than 4 unless they were family or super close friends. Toileting facilities are going to be an issue with 7 on board overnight - unless they are used to sharing a toilet with 6 other people.
You need to consider the boat's weight limits. The M boat is limited to 6 persons, 960 lbs. I couldn't find the S limit in the manual, but maybe someone else will chime in.

Thanks for all the info. I'd definitely like to hear others' experiences. 4 average adults, and the weight of all three kids would be the same as one average adult, so say 5 adults. It would be close family & friends, so not too big of a deal with using the toilet. Would a porta-potty hold up to one overnighter? I'm mostly concerned with safety, I've read others having 7 adults on their 26, which seems like a lot to me. I'd never go out if conditions get or are projected to get questionable. Looks like manufacturers might not have to state weight/passenger limits unless the boat is under 20', which seems strange, I also can't find this info from Macgregor.

The S is a water ballasted boat (as is, the M). When you drop it in the water, you need to fill the ballast before the crew boards and starts running around on deck. I've been on an S at dock without ballast, and it's quite tender. Great boat, though, and they sail well.

I've read up on the ballast system. I like the idea, and really like how little it weighs with the ballast tank empty for trailering, and understand that the ballast tank should always be filled for safety.

You can easily tow a dinghy behind, but the beauty of a shallow draft boat is you can get pretty close to shore with it. If there is calm water and sandy bottom, you wouldn't really need a dinghy. Deep drop off, and rocky shoreline - another story.

Yeah, another reason that brought me to the 26 is the ability go pull right up to shore, but I'm thinking worst case where, as you said, rocks or a drop off limits that ability. One of my favorite places on Lake Michigan is North and South Manitou Islands, which I'd probably visit frequently. The water level has risen and covered the sandy areas, most of the shoreline are rocks.

If you intend to do 4 adults and 3 kids for overnighting, you might need to look for a bigger boat. Also, be aware that trailering every time you use the boat, requires setting up and taking down the rig. This will be time consuming the first few times you do it. I'm down to about 20 minutes setup and about 45 - 50 minutes to get it ready to trailer home.

Kind of what I was worried about with 4 adults and 3 kids. If it's just lack of comfort and being cramped, one night may be doable from time to time. Again though, assuming conditions are good, I'm more concerned with safety. I've looked, but couldn't find a larger trailerable boat in my price range, that is easily found on the market. I don't mind setting up/tearing down. I've watched videos and read through the owners manual, so I know what's involved. I'd rather not pay slip fees for a boat that will only be used a handful of times throughout the summer.

[Inquisitor]

There are very few people on this forum I respect more than JimmyT. He's a bad influence... in a good way! And Chinook... bless his heart show'd us that two adults and three children* turning into teenagers turning into adults could co-exist and even flourish on an X for days*... weeks... months?. Me... I've had six total on my M. I've slept 4 ONCE for a weekend. I will gladly watch the house the next time 4 are on the boat. Maybe grandchildren will change that attitude.

Point being... only you can measure you threshold of pain.

* I'm not really sure of the number of children. Sometimes it seemed like zero... sometimes it seemed like a dozen.

[NiceAft]

I've always told those who ask "how many people does your Mac sleep?", four extremely close friends, or six close family members. An S does not have the headroom of an X or M. I imagine spending the night on board would be tight. It does have a pop top.

The S has an incredible reputation for being a fast boat that sails really well.

I did find this information from an owner:

Experience With the MacGregor 26S

Having owned and sailed a 26S extensively for three years, it indeed sails fairly well and lives up to its reputation of being a roomy and easily trailered pocket cruiser. This sailboat can meet most budgetary needs and has room enough for a family of three to cruise for up to a week at a time.

It is a light boat, but with sailing experience and caution, trouble in winds to thirty knots can be easily avoided. The fiberglass is thin but you can avoid running into rocks. Thousands of MacGregor owners have had experiences where they thoroughly enjoyed sailing.

[Jimmyt]

Would a porta-potty hold up to one overnighter? I'm mostly concerned with safety, I've read others having 7 adults on their 26, which seems like a lot to me. I'd never go out if conditions get or are projected to get questionable.

... and understand that the ballast tank should always be filled for safety.

Again though, assuming conditions are good, I'm more concerned with safety. I've looked, but couldn't find a larger trailerable boat in my price range, that is easily found on the market. I don't mind setting up/tearing down. I've watched videos and read through the owners manual, so I know what's involved. I'd rather not pay slip fees for a boat that will only be used a handful of times throughout the summer.

Large volume porta potty should get you at least one night with 7. There are a number of toilet solutions available, so you can find a workable situation if Volume is your only concern.

I like the way you mention safety concerns in your response. You are THE most important safety feature on the boat. All crew and captain should wear PFDs while on the boat. Swimming, sleeping, or sitting at anchor, maybe not - but always otherwise. Know that your ballast is filled, and maintain your ballast valve. Be weather aware. Train other crew members in boat operation. If something happens to you, someone needs to be able to come back and pick you up, or get the boat home if you become incapacitated onboard. The S is a good boat. Treated with appropriate respect, it should be very safe.

Your assessment of lack of comfort and cramped is my impression of 7 onboard overnight. It would probably be "doable".

As Inquisitor says, only you can measure your threshold of pain...

You seem to have the traits of a trailer sailor. Welcome to the gang.

[Starscream]

Hmm, 4 adults and three kids...they better be real good friends, and good, (and tiny) kids. I really don't think an S could do that.

Our kids are 10, 12 and 14, plus my wife and I, in a 26X which has slightly more space, especially headroom. That's about the max, and I'm in the process of extensively modifying the interior to get a larger V-berth. We've done 3 adults and 3 (small) kids for a couple of nights, but that was when all three kids were comfortable together in the V-berth, when they were mid single-digits old. My X is getting to the point where we COULD do three adults and three kids for a couple of nights with the extended V-berth and the drop-down table, but honestly, that's a lot of people in a really small space. The S doesn't have the drop-down table.

You COULD fit 3 adults in the rear berth of an S. Like I said tho, you'd have to be real good friends going in, otherwise you may not wake up friends, or maybe you'd wake up even better friends, I don't know. As for sleeping, I wouldn't want to be the poor adult who gets the back seat middle.

Three kids in the V-berth only works well for small kids under 10 years old. Above that, only two can fit, and then only until they're about 13. After that, some sort of work has to be done, the V-berths just aren't long enough for real people. I'll go out on a limb and say you will never sleep seven people on an S. Probably never 6.

I don't have an S, but from what I can tell the sleeping options are a small V-berth, a long bench, and a large berth in back. The only viable sleeping place for adults is the rear berth: the bench looks ridiculously narrow, and the V-berths look ridiculously short. In my opinion, the S model would no longer fit our family of 5, and likely not yours either, for very long. I know the X's are more expensive, but you have much better liveability for your big family. You'll outgrow the S model in a few short years, if not already.

[C Buchs]

We have a cockpit surround for our that adds a lot of livable space for our family of 4 when it's raining. I've also slept on the benches in the cockpit with the surround up. It was fine for me, much better than my tent days, but others may not enjoy it. I think Sumner had his cockpit set up to covert the entire area into one large bed. There are lots of options!

Jeff

[AndyVS]

I've had my "S" for 5+ years and really enjoy it. I trailered every time the first year and then I've slipped it in a small lake since. I love being able to sail several times a week. Once or twice a year, I'll pull the boat and take it on vacation for a week or more. We've sailed on Erie, Huron & Michigan. The boat is a bobber on waves with short intervals so it's best to find refuge when the wind/waves pick up.

Two adults and three small kids are doable. Add two more adults - that's really cramped and no fun. It would leave no room for gear, food & clothes. There are other ways to handle a crowd. We once had 10 people, rented a house in Holland for a week and day-sailed on Lake Michigan. Each day some would sail and some would go to the beach. Some days I would sail in the morning, motor up to the beach & anchor, eat lunch and take out different people after lunch.

I'm not sure what your time frame is for making a purchase but I'll have my boat in the water in May. I'm in southern Michigan so you could come for a sail and see the boat for yourself.

Andy

[Jimmyt]

What a generous offer! You rock, Andy!

[NiceAft]

What a generous offer! You rock, Andy!

It's what we have come to expect from our board members.

[SlowSL]

Point being... only you can measure you threshold of pain.

I've always told those who ask "how many people does your Mac sleep?", four extremely close friends, or six close family members. An S does not have the headroom of an X or M. I imagine spending the night on board would be tight. It does have a pop top.

I have a pretty high threshold.... the rest of the family probably a little lower. Just the family I'm pretty confident everyone will be perfectly fine for a couple days. We are pretty close with some of our family, I don't see a problem there. Anyone else, maybe just stick to day sailing?

I like the way you mention safety concerns in your response. You are THE most important safety feature on the boat. All crew and captain should wear PFDs while on the boat. Swimming, sleeping, or sitting at anchor, maybe not - but always otherwise. Know that your ballast is filled, and maintain your ballast valve. Be weather aware. Train other crew members in boat operation. If something happens to you, someone needs to be able to come back and pick you up, or get the boat home if you become incapacitated onboard. The S is a good boat. Treated with appropriate respect, it should be very safe.

I'm very big on water safety, grew up on a lake. I have thought a lot about exactly what you've said. That is one of my concerns that something would happen to me, so teaching my wife to heave to, park into irons, drop sails, start the motor, etc. is high on the priority list.

You COULD fit 3 adults in the rear berth of an S. Like I said tho, you'd have to be real good friends going in, otherwise you may not wake up friends, or maybe you'd wake up even better friends, I don't know. As for sleeping, I wouldn't want to be the poor adult who gets the back seat middle.

that paints the perfect picture, I completely understand now!

Three kids in the V-berth only works well for small kids under 10 years old. Above that, only two can fit, and then only until they're about 13. After that, some sort of work has to be done, the V-berths just aren't long enough for real people. I'll go out on a limb and say you will never sleep seven people on an S. Probably never 6.
I don't have an S, but from what I can tell the sleeping options are a small V-berth, a long bench, and a large berth in back. The only viable sleeping place for adults is the rear berth: the bench looks ridiculously narrow, and the V-berths look ridiculously short. In my opinion, the S model would no longer fit our family of 5, and likely not yours either, for very long. I know the X's are more expensive, but you have much better liveability for your big family. You'll outgrow the S model in a few short years, if not already.

I've been looking at a lot of pictures and videos, trying to get a feel for the size, but that is very deceiving, looks like more room than there is. I just need to set foot in one and see for myself. I've looked and looked, I don't see another boat better fit for my budget, towing ease & capacity for a first boat. Just looking for something to get us out there and test the waters. In a few years we can go a different direction if needed, but just need to get out there. For now, I'm pretty confident we can be comfortable with just my family for a couple days, the kids are pretty small.

We have a cockpit surround for our that adds a lot of livable space for our family of 4 when it's raining. I've also slept on the benches in the cockpit with the surround up. It was fine for me, much better than my tent days, but others may not enjoy it. I think Sumner had his cockpit set up to covert the entire area into one large bed. There are lots of options!

I have started looking at some modifications others have done, some pretty clever ideas.

I'm not sure what your time frame is for making a purchase but I'll have my boat in the water in May. I'm in southern Michigan so you could come for a sail and see the boat for yourself.

I'm in no hurry, I seem to find the best boat deals late in the summer, maybe I can snag one this year. If I can't find one this year, there is always next year, for sure don't want to regret the purchase. I'd love to go for a sail when you are in the water and check it out, that would be fantastic, I appreciate the offer.

[NiceAft]

trying to get a feel for the size, but that is very deceiving, looks like more room than there is.

Roger MacGregor was very good at marketing. His use of a W I D E angle lens is now obvious to you. He also showed in his brochures a Ford Taurus towing an , and later, towing an

I'm pretty confident we can be comfortable with just my family for a couple days

In a short time, the family will get acquainted both with the boat, and the captain's instructions. Just be calm, patient, and you will not regret getting a fine example of a well designed boat.

When the ownership of your new to you Mac happens, remember to post photos. We'll be here

Two of my grandchildren at the helm.

[Starscream]

In the 26 foot trailerable sailboat range, the M, S and the D are the second best option for a family of 5 (in my opinion, of course). The best option is the X. There is nothing else out there that even comes close to the MacGregor line of products, for affordability and utility.

With the X, the V-berth can be easily modified for real adult humans, and the dinette table comes down to make a 3rd usable berth. And the rear berth is huge. On the M, S and D, there just isn't a good way for 5 adults to sleep properly. And kids become adult-sized before you can blink.

On occasion, a deal can be had for an X, only a few grand more than a nice S or D. Keep your eyes out.

[NiceAft]

On the M, S and D, there just isn't a good way for 5 adults to sleep properly.

If the statement was addressing six adults, I would agree, but as to five, an is fine.

The Admiral and I sleep in the aft berth. the dinette also drops to become a single berth, and ONE adult can sleep in the V berth. The has an advantage in that area because of the location of the head.

As Highlander would say; "just saying" .