Hi guys,
After many many years of wanting to get a boat, I am going to see a 26X tomorrow.
I am a complete newbie.
I have watched as many videos and read as much as I could about these boats, but I have never sailed bymyself nor owned a boat.
Tomorrow is an initial inspection only - no sailing.
Everything seems ok to my untrained eye - the owner has sent photos and videos.
Any advice would be hugely helpful and appreciated.
(I won't be parting with money until a professional inspects and sails it etc.)
Thanks guys.
Going to view a 26X - any advice?
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Starscream
- Admiral
- Posts: 1574
- Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:08 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Montreal, Quebec. 2002 26X - Suzi DF90A
Re: Going to view a 26X - any advice?
There isn't much that can be disastrously wrong with these boats. Everything is fixable, for much less $ than with "regular" boats. If nothing jumps out as obviously damaged, you will very likely be fine. They are blank slates, easy to work on, easy to upgrade, easy to repair.
I bought ours without ever test sailing it, starting the engine, or even rigging it, over 12 years ago.
The motor is the big ticket item, but it's just an outboard, and easily replaceable (just $). One thing I have checked for when buying or inspecting cars or motors for friends is whether or not the motor is warm when I get there to see it. If it's warm, it's a sign that the owner has previously started and run it a bit, possibly to hide difficulties in starting or warming up.
If the price is right don't wait too long. It will be gone quickly.
I bought ours without ever test sailing it, starting the engine, or even rigging it, over 12 years ago.
The motor is the big ticket item, but it's just an outboard, and easily replaceable (just $). One thing I have checked for when buying or inspecting cars or motors for friends is whether or not the motor is warm when I get there to see it. If it's warm, it's a sign that the owner has previously started and run it a bit, possibly to hide difficulties in starting or warming up.
If the price is right don't wait too long. It will be gone quickly.
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DaveC426913
- Admiral
- Posts: 1915
- Joined: Mon Jul 14, 2008 8:05 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Toronto Canada
- Contact:
Re: Going to view a 26X - any advice?
The motor is generally a third the cost of the boat. Don't neglect its inspection.
[nm. SS beat me to it.]
[nm. SS beat me to it.]
MacX 2000 Honda BF50A 'SeaSaw'
Re: Going to view a 26X - any advice?
Thanks for the advice guys - it really helping a newbie and his family get onto the water and learn how to sail.
The motor is a Honda BF50c.
He says the carburetor need cleaned but it runs fine, 'as you can see from the videos'.
I can see from his photos he has an original Mac trailer.
(******update: I just spoke the owner. He won't be around in the morning to show me the boat, but he has told me where he has the key hidden on the boat, and to poke about and look at what I like (except sail her of course).
Here is his original email to me. The asking price is €14,500. ($US 16,865)He is not a native speaker of English, but we can understand:
The equipment included is sonar, GPS, auto pilot, wind and speed system Raimaryne.
Mayor, Genova, gennaker and foque sails in good condition .the sails don't have any defect.
The wind system is needs a repair the anemometer. It has a electronic component very cheap but it is necessary to take down the mast to repair it. (on the call with me, he said that he would do it).
The out board motor is honda BF50cv - it's advisable to clean the carburadores. It is a task that yourself can to do. Normally I do it myself always without help and I have not to much mechanical knowledge.
Nevertheless like you can see in the videos it works perfectly.
The antifouling will be painted next week.
The trailer is for ready for the road and it is in perfect state. This week I am changing the tyres. It only needs to renew the legal technical inspección ITV for allowed drive it. I hope / expect it won't have problems.
The motor is a Honda BF50c.
He says the carburetor need cleaned but it runs fine, 'as you can see from the videos'.
I can see from his photos he has an original Mac trailer.
(******update: I just spoke the owner. He won't be around in the morning to show me the boat, but he has told me where he has the key hidden on the boat, and to poke about and look at what I like (except sail her of course).
Here is his original email to me. The asking price is €14,500. ($US 16,865)He is not a native speaker of English, but we can understand:
The equipment included is sonar, GPS, auto pilot, wind and speed system Raimaryne.
Mayor, Genova, gennaker and foque sails in good condition .the sails don't have any defect.
The wind system is needs a repair the anemometer. It has a electronic component very cheap but it is necessary to take down the mast to repair it. (on the call with me, he said that he would do it).
The out board motor is honda BF50cv - it's advisable to clean the carburadores. It is a task that yourself can to do. Normally I do it myself always without help and I have not to much mechanical knowledge.
Nevertheless like you can see in the videos it works perfectly.
The antifouling will be painted next week.
The trailer is for ready for the road and it is in perfect state. This week I am changing the tyres. It only needs to renew the legal technical inspección ITV for allowed drive it. I hope / expect it won't have problems.
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Be Free
- Admiral
- Posts: 1920
- Joined: Fri Nov 23, 2012 6:08 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Steinhatchee, FL
Re: Going to view a 26X - any advice?
I'm not sure about the timeline in Europe, but the BF50 line changed from carburetors to fuel injection in 2008 (IIRC). Cleaning the carbs on the older BF50's was easy but rebuilding and re-synchronizing them was not something I looked forward to.
As long as you don't see anything obviously damaged on the hull or trailer you should be OK. Unless the electronics are brand new and exactly what you wanted anyway don't ascribe much value to them when buying a new (to you) boat.
It sound like you have a pretty good deal there. Good luck.
As long as you don't see anything obviously damaged on the hull or trailer you should be OK. Unless the electronics are brand new and exactly what you wanted anyway don't ascribe much value to them when buying a new (to you) boat.
It sound like you have a pretty good deal there. Good luck.
Bill
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
2001 26X Simple Interest
Honda BF40D
"If I were in a hurry I would not have bought a sailboat." Me
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Starscream
- Admiral
- Posts: 1574
- Joined: Tue Nov 03, 2009 10:08 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Montreal, Quebec. 2002 26X - Suzi DF90A
Re: Going to view a 26X - any advice?
Sounds like a very good deal for a Mac in Europe.
My advice: don't wait. Seal the deal. If it's floating, the motor starts, and you are ready to be a boat owner (ready for the inevitable repair and upgrade $$$) then buy it before it's gone.
The trailer can be a nasty surprise, if it is rusted out (can be hard to see). I just saw some a post on FB about a Mac26M trailer tongue collapsing because of rust. It's not a reason not to buy the boat at the price listed, but something to be aware of.