since the aft berth on the M is the main sleeping place for adults, and not as likely to be a storage area as on the X, would definitely need opening ports for light and air.... either to the cockpit or to the exterior hull, as some have done. not to impressed with the view of legs and fiberglass, would be nicer to look outward. Note the use of the galley on the '04 in the photo, as a wet-bar and entertainment station.... maybe i should have got that one i let get away.... party barge or cocktail lounge, it sure seems spacious and friendly..... cooler / fridge on the M's useless port seat across from head also ensures a clear path ... I like the privacy of front berth, kind of like a Hunter 22, but for short (er) people only on the starboard side.
IF you put up a curtain across the M's hall, you could stand up straight to put your pants on after a visit to the head, ..... one problem even in the bigger X's head. I had to install grab bars in my boat's head, to stay inside the box while hoisitng and dropping trousers, except if I dont mind, or others don't mind, busting out and dressing in the cabin next to the galley (on tne X) ... see previous discussion somewhere on this board, concerning the preferred posture for releasing hydraulic pressure, for both genders.
Head in 26m
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Frank C
The 26X is actually well designed for the "clothing dance." At least on my boat, nobody ever stays in the cabin while underway. Therefore, the open head door conveniently blocks the cockpit's view into the cabin. So, that dance can be performed with full elbow and headroom, still completely in private.
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Tony D-26X_SusieQ
- First Officer
- Posts: 306
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 7:20 am
- Location: Mayo, Maryland
I too was looking hard at the Westwrght Potter before I found the Mac. That choice was not hard. I realy got cought in the 
vs 
contriversy. I bought mine just after the release of the . What a great time it was on this board when that change happened. 
I chose the mainly because the waters I sail have a lot of sallow areas and a lot of shifting sand bars so the center board as opposed to the dagger board was the deciding factor. I liked the interior of the better but I could have lived with the 's interior since most of my time has been spent one day at a time. I like the interior for day sailing and the interior for overnights but I also like the mast storage of the 
.
Now with all that said, let's all go sailing in our 's, 's or 's. On the water this all is mute. Those of us with our Mac's are having a lot more fun than those of us still trying to decide which to buy.
vs contriversy. I bought mine just after the release of the . What a great time it was on this board when that change happened. I chose the
mainly because the waters I sail have a lot of sallow areas and a lot of shifting sand bars so the center board as opposed to the dagger board was the deciding factor. I liked the interior of the better but I could have lived with the 's interior since most of my time has been spent one day at a time. I like the interior for day sailing and the interior for overnights but I also like the mast storage of the .Now with all that said, let's all go sailing in our
's, 's or 's. On the water this all is mute. Those of us with our Mac's are having a lot more fun than those of us still trying to decide which to buy. -
richandlori
- Admiral
- Posts: 1695
- Joined: Wed Aug 18, 2004 8:08 pm
- Location: Living Aboard in Morro Bay, CA
- Contact:
Frank,
I don't know if your x has the hinged ladder, but it is positioned perfectly so that when you open the head door all the way, the bottom slides snuggly onto the bottom wooden step, almost locking it in place. Keeps it wide open there while you "take care of business", change, or even acts as a makeup mirror for my wife as she sits in the aft dinette facing the galley..
Rolf
I don't know if your x has the hinged ladder, but it is positioned perfectly so that when you open the head door all the way, the bottom slides snuggly onto the bottom wooden step, almost locking it in place. Keeps it wide open there while you "take care of business", change, or even acts as a makeup mirror for my wife as she sits in the aft dinette facing the galley..
Rolf
Yes, it is. The door bottom pushes the ladder deeper into the carpet, which provides a sort of spring pressure to hold the bottom step against the door bottom.Rolf wrote:Frank,
I don't know if your x has the hinged ladder, but it is positioned perfectly so that when you open the head door all the way, the bottom slides snuggly onto the bottom wooden step, almost locking it in place. Keeps it wide open there while you "take care of business", change, or even acts as a makeup mirror for my wife as she sits in the aft dinette facing the galley..
Rolf
Also, with the companionway hatch open, the drip rail on the cabin top is a handy hand hold to pull yourself up off the lower 3 gallon SaniPottie.
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Frank C
compromises
For those looking to buy, the bottom line is to examine your choices and then choose what works for YOU. You cannot have everything, so you have to decide on where you'll compromise.
For example:
1) I singlehand my 2004M almost all the time. So for me, the smaller cockpit of the M vs. X is a benefit - everything is closer in reach. When I do have friends and family on board, then I can wish for a bigger cockpit, or we can all go down into the HUGE salon and visit once we get to the cove or anchorage. Sometimes it's a bummer to sit around belowdecks instead of outside, but then when it is rainy or the bugs are bad, it is a blessing.
2) I love my M's removable table. When you need a table, you can put it in, when you don't, it stows completely out of the way against the rear berth side and really opens up the cabin (see comment about HUGE salon above). Having to "climb over" people at the table to get to the head happens extremely rarely for me - when there are 3 or less on the boat we don't even put it in to eat, generally preferring to eat in the cockpit.
3) I can go on and on...
Just remember that all these posts are personal preference and opinion, and you need to form your own!
- AndyS
For example:
1) I singlehand my 2004M almost all the time. So for me, the smaller cockpit of the M vs. X is a benefit - everything is closer in reach. When I do have friends and family on board, then I can wish for a bigger cockpit, or we can all go down into the HUGE salon and visit once we get to the cove or anchorage. Sometimes it's a bummer to sit around belowdecks instead of outside, but then when it is rainy or the bugs are bad, it is a blessing.
2) I love my M's removable table. When you need a table, you can put it in, when you don't, it stows completely out of the way against the rear berth side and really opens up the cabin (see comment about HUGE salon above). Having to "climb over" people at the table to get to the head happens extremely rarely for me - when there are 3 or less on the boat we don't even put it in to eat, generally preferring to eat in the cockpit.
3) I can go on and on...
Just remember that all these posts are personal preference and opinion, and you need to form your own!
- AndyS
My experience in buying a used X:
I found condition reflected price in most cases. All the boats I looked at in lower price ranges were a bit shabby. Also I decided I wanted a later year X to get the upgrades, so I had to spend a little more. I also had a list of motors that were acceptable. In the end I found a boat that was set up as I would have ordered one, but it was located 1200 miles away. I had the owner take lots of digital pictures from many angles. Luckily, the seller was a good guy and was easy to work with. There are different ways to insure the seller is not withholding information about damage or problems with the boat, you just have to do whatever makes you comfortable. After I was reasonably sure this was the boat that I wanted, I contacted a Marine Surveyor in the sellers area and had him survey the boat, including sea trials. All went well and the report was as I expected. I drove down and picked up the boat over a long weekend.
I ended up purchasing our X about a year before I was planning to. After looking at the M and deciding the X would work better for our family, I decided waiting may not be a good idea since the X's weren't getting any younger. I started looking more seriously and then found our X.
Greg
I found condition reflected price in most cases. All the boats I looked at in lower price ranges were a bit shabby. Also I decided I wanted a later year X to get the upgrades, so I had to spend a little more. I also had a list of motors that were acceptable. In the end I found a boat that was set up as I would have ordered one, but it was located 1200 miles away. I had the owner take lots of digital pictures from many angles. Luckily, the seller was a good guy and was easy to work with. There are different ways to insure the seller is not withholding information about damage or problems with the boat, you just have to do whatever makes you comfortable. After I was reasonably sure this was the boat that I wanted, I contacted a Marine Surveyor in the sellers area and had him survey the boat, including sea trials. All went well and the report was as I expected. I drove down and picked up the boat over a long weekend.
I ended up purchasing our X about a year before I was planning to. After looking at the M and deciding the X would work better for our family, I decided waiting may not be a good idea since the X's weren't getting any younger. I started looking more seriously and then found our X.
Greg
Greg, Would you mind if I asked what is cost to have the surveyor conduct his evaluation? I've always wondered what the best approach is to checking out a boat long distance, and yours makes a lot of sense. I'm just curious if it's a reasonable cost fo factor in should we ever move to a 26.
Also, how did you go about locating the surveyor? Yellow pages, referral, etc.?
Also, how did you go about locating the surveyor? Yellow pages, referral, etc.?
The BoatUS website has a link for The Society of Accredited Marine Surveyors (SAMS) and National Association of Marine Surveyors (NAMS) each of which has listings for Marine Surveyors in all areas of the country. I called a few in the area I was buying in before I found one that was specifically familiar with trailerable sailboats. IIRC the survey was in $300-$350 range.
Greg
Greg
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NautiMoments
- Engineer
- Posts: 123
- Joined: Thu Mar 03, 2005 11:45 am
- Location: Vancouver, BC "NautiMoments" 2005-26M....Honda 50
I have always ignored the X versed M debate until I could give an answer based on experience. We owned a 2001 X for about 3 years and loved it. We now have a 2005 26M and also love it. Our descision to change was base on more storage room(deeper storage areas) and a better layout(for us). We are looking at living on the boat for a year and layout/storage is essential. We are cruisers and have done several weekend trips and just complete 12 day on the boat. We found that the M worked out great. The head is no problem for us, but if you want more room mount the toilet on the lower floor area then remove the door and install a sliding curtain that closes it in better( I don't like the folding door anyways). When you buy a MacGregor it is a starting point. We all do many mods to our boats to suit our life styles. THERE IS NO WINNERS OR LOOSERS TO THIS X VS M DEBATE, JUST OPINIONS. We love the way the M sails. If you have 4 people in the boat the X dinnette is better but us M owners just ad a mod to fix this. Anyone who buys the new M will not be dissappointed. I believe that to form a more accurate assessment of the M some Xers need to spend some time on one sailing, cruising, etc. If any of you are in the Vancouver Canada area you are welcome to come out with us. Boating is mainly a social activity. Thanks to Moe and the rest for all the great ideas and input.
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mtc
- Captain
- Posts: 545
- Joined: Mon Feb 21, 2005 5:06 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Panama City Beach, Florida 05 M 'Bellaroo' 60hp Merc BF
I have a new M - there are considerable differences between the M and the X from my pre and post research. Considering this I like the X. Considering that I like the M. Considering speed get the Corsair.
We'll all have subjective responses to any questions regarding these boats. Although they are from the same manufacturer, their designs are significantly different in so many ways. The head has never been a problem in Yin Yang. It's small, but no smaller than a traditional keel boat the same size. I like the shower and all glass build in the X. Trade offs.
My focus was more on sailing ability and less on cabin amenities, so the M fit my purpose - the cabin wasn't the big seller for me. I'll offer however, with some confidence, that the sailing difference is negligible - and yes, Yin has the turbo charged blue hull. In skilled hands, an X would be a more efficient sailer than the M and vice versa.
For what it's worth, go with your intuition - your brain will always tell you exactly what you want to hear. If possible, take both models out and spend a couple of hours on them. That will help tremendously.
We all buy out boats to satisfy an immediate need. The long term need is satisfied at West Marine. As with all used boats, the ten large that the previous owner banked into the boat will be yours for next to nothing. You will, however, not have the ability to decide what options to get, but the savings will allow you to get what you want later on.
As mentioned a billion times on our site, every boat is a compromise get what makes you happy.
Michael
We'll all have subjective responses to any questions regarding these boats. Although they are from the same manufacturer, their designs are significantly different in so many ways. The head has never been a problem in Yin Yang. It's small, but no smaller than a traditional keel boat the same size. I like the shower and all glass build in the X. Trade offs.
My focus was more on sailing ability and less on cabin amenities, so the M fit my purpose - the cabin wasn't the big seller for me. I'll offer however, with some confidence, that the sailing difference is negligible - and yes, Yin has the turbo charged blue hull. In skilled hands, an X would be a more efficient sailer than the M and vice versa.
For what it's worth, go with your intuition - your brain will always tell you exactly what you want to hear. If possible, take both models out and spend a couple of hours on them. That will help tremendously.
We all buy out boats to satisfy an immediate need. The long term need is satisfied at West Marine. As with all used boats, the ten large that the previous owner banked into the boat will be yours for next to nothing. You will, however, not have the ability to decide what options to get, but the savings will allow you to get what you want later on.
As mentioned a billion times on our site, every boat is a compromise get what makes you happy.
Michael