Is A MacGregor the right boat for me?

[Seth08321]

Ok folks need some help from all of you. I have recently been toying with the idea of getting a sailboat. I have plenty of time to find one, I am hoping some post covid deals are out there or will be. But my questions are as follow, I live in NJ and have a home right on the Delaware Bay, with a marina less then a mile away, the bay can get rough and I really never see anyone sailing in it, plenty of power boats. It is also pretty shallow. What I think I like about the MacGregor is the ability to beach it, at low tide I have a small beach down my steps. I am not looking to go all that fast or far, I do not need a blue water boat , more like a day sailor w a Weekend on board maybe 3 times a year. I know nothing about boats but can join a local yacht club and hopefully learn. My biggest concern are these , why does no one sail in the Delaware bay ( I am about 20 miles from cape May NJ , and we occasionally get rough storms so I guess a boat I could get off the island fairly easily is a plus. There is a 1994 26 foot S for sale fairly close to me but honestly I am thinking I need to learn before buying one and a 26 may be to big as my first foray into sailing. I would prefer to get a slip depending on price than trailer it as I really do not have the car for that, but again the marina is less than a mile from my house. AM I crazy to even think about a sail boat , and is the Mac a 26 s a good choice, I should add I really am not a fix it type of guy so prefer a outboard vs a inboard so that's another plus for the Mac. I am basically looking for the Honda civic of sail boats. One that is easy to maintain in salt water, I can sleep on a few times a year and enjoy without breaking the bank, I am not looking for a fixer upper but one that someone else has fixed up and is moving on from. Thanks for the help and feel free to tell me I am dreaming for even thinking about getting a sail boat, I can just sit on my deck, drink a beer and watch the water or just jump in my kayak and paddle in the Bay.

[chadwiseman]

Macgregor sounds perfect for your situation. the 26s was my first sail boat. I took a few lessons from an instructor to get me comfortable. Sometimes they'll do it on your boat. Not sure why there's no sailboats out your way but I found the same in my home town, but it is fantastic for sailing and have done so myself, but the local population prefers speed and powerboat. Good luck...

[WinSome]

The S is perfect for your needs. You don’t see many sailboats ‘ cause the keel boats can’t get around in there. The S can pull up boards and go. Even to beach it as you describe. Get the boat. Drop it into the marina and let the word out that you would like some assistance. Take your time and enjoy spending time aboard. Yes. It sounds like a lot of boat -but it forgives. Reef your sails to start. Use this site to understand what going on. You’ll be happy with the experience. Enjoy.

[Russ]

Welcome!

I know nothing about boats but can join a local yacht club and hopefully learn.

My old yacht club was full of guys who loved to go out sailing/racing but knew NOTHING about boats or boating. Your mileage may vary. This forum is a friendly place and peeps love to help other sailors.

My biggest concern are these , why does no one sail in the Delaware bay

When I lived in New Jersey, the biggest concern with Delaware Bay was it was HOT HOT and often lacking wind. I was primarily on Barnegat Bay and this may have been just rumors. I therefore never ventured south to DE bay except once to help a buddy take his boat to Annapolis.

( I am about 20 miles from cape May NJ , and we occasionally get rough storms so I guess a boat I could get off the island fairly easily is a plus.

Storms are a concern for most boaters. This is part of boating education.

There is a 1994 26 foot S for sale fairly close to me but honestly I am thinking I need to learn before buying one and a 26 may be to big as my first foray into sailing.

Excellent boat.
I bought an 26M because I thought I needed the motoring speed to get back in a hurry. I rarely actually motor fast.
The 26S is a great boat, fun to sail and easy to handle.

I would prefer to get a slip depending on price than trailer it as I really do not have the car for that, but again the marina is less than a mile from my house.

The beauty of the Mac is you CAN trailer it. Rent a Turo for the day to launch it.
Slip rentals can be spendy. Mine is $1,000 season but I'm in Montana and the marina has no dock services (water, power).
Last time I checked, my brother in Barnegat Bay, NJ paid $3,000/season. I have a friend in Sandy Hook who pays $7,000/season. They also have full services, pools and restaurants. Yours might be a lot less.

AM I crazy to even think about a sail boat , and is the Mac a 26 s a good choice

I've owned all kinds of boats and the Mac is a great choice. Powerboats get boring fast. Most stay at the dock. I've been to Cape May and have seen plenty of sailboats in the bay.

I should add I really am not a fix it type of guy so prefer a outboard vs a inboard so that's another plus for the Mac. I am basically looking for the Honda civic of sail boats. One that is easy to maintain in salt water, I can sleep on a few times a year and enjoy without breaking the bank, I am not looking for a fixer upper but one that someone else has fixed up and is moving on from.

You have the right idea. However, note that tow trucks at sea are spendy. Sailing is not difficult as is most boating. However, it does require some education. You didn't just hop in a car and start driving.

Delaware bay isn't that shallow. Not like Barnegat Bay where running aground was a constant concern (in my keel boat). What I do remember about DE Bay is there is shipping traffic.

Buy they boat. Fall in love with sailing. There are plenty of ways to get boating education for cheap.
Local Coast Guard Courses
Local Power Squadron Courses https://www.usps.org/cgi-bin-nat/eddept ... indx.cgi?C

Volunteers teach courses generally for the cost of materials.

[dlandersson]

"I live in NJ and have a home right on the Delaware Bay," - well, i'm jealous
" It is also pretty shallow. " - Mac's do well in shallow water - get one with a swing keel.
" I am not looking to go all that fast" - Mac's do "not all that fast" pretty well
"I am basically looking for the Honda civic of sail boats" - than a 26S. A 26X is more of a Honda SUV OTOH, it's really nice, when you see bad weather a'comin, to drop the sail, power up and beat everyone else in.

[leefrankpierce]

I find that my 26X can use wind that "real" keel boats will not even move.
I guess we are lighter weight so do not need that much power to move.

Story about shallows: My lakes marina has asked all slip members to either trailer/remove otherwise move their boats as the drought puts the floating slips on the ground. I keep having to remind them that I have my keel/rudders/motor up and float in 1.5 foot of water.
When I did leave the keel (or whatever we call that thing) down, I just had to motor back to make a small trench, motor forward to allow it to start folding up, pull it up and drive off.
I did move it because my neighbors are on their deep keels, falling over, can not be moved (without dredging) and have their masts overlapping my slip.
Not sure what happens if they overlap and hit each others mast.
Nice I can drop mine and put it in a powerboat slip if needed.

[Seth08321]

Thanks everyone for chiming in , keep the comments coming, you have convinced me I am not 100 % crazy so that's a start, I will be checking on slip rates, its a no frills marina and I assume fairy cheap compared to the ocean side shore towns. My side of the Delaware is pretty shallow and most of the shipping traffic is more on the Delaware side of the bay. Just doing as much research as I can via here and you tube, I have to say the interior is much nicer than I expected via you tube videos that I have seen. The one I saw for sale has like a 8hp Honda 4 stroke on it, will that get the job done, again I am not looking for speed. There is plenty to explore around me , most of the land is state owned or fed way lands so no real development , basically open land until you get near Cape May NJ. My car can only tow about 2000 lbs so that may be an issue I will have to deal with, I can get around it but it would be a PITA. There is a lot across from the marina where folks park the boats. I am sure I could leave it there and get someone to launch it for me for a few bucks if needed. I assume age is not to much of any issue with these , by that I mean an older one that has been well taken care of vs a newer one that has sat. Again the one I saw online is a 94 which I assume is pretty old. I have time so I can wait for the right one to find me. Thanks again for the info.

[pitchpolehobie]

You can rent UHaul pickup trucks for 20$ and mileage. Ive been in a pinch on a launch & recovery day and Ive used their truck which was grest towing from my house to a ramp 20mi away. I felt much better doing that on a slippery slimey ramp. Its easy to launch it and float it away hut you want a nice heavy vehicle that can pull the trailer and boat out of the water on a slick ramp.

[dlandersson]

I have a slip, it's hard to beat being able to "just go" when the weather is good. And it's hard to beat needing 20-30 minutes to put it ip and hit the yacht club bar, etc.

And sometimes, we just go and hang out at the marina, sleep overnight in our Mac, etc.

[leefrankpierce]

Do the slip.
Too much work to get the boat in the water and setup, then trying to take it back down and get home afterwards = the boat sat in my driveway for years.

[PSNA]

The reason you don't see sailboats in Delaware Bay is because it is very shallow on both sides of the channel out to Cape May. Larger sailboats at your marina are either sailing along the coast or over to the Chesapeake.

The only kind of sailboat that can sail inside the bay is a dinghy or something with a shoal draft keel. Look at the Com-Pac line of small sailboats.
They are trailerable, sail fairly well, and do not draw much.

You can pick-up a 16 or 19 for under $10K. The 23 is a nice-looking boat and behaves well in a breeze. One in good shape without an inboard will be under $20K.

[NiceAft]

The Delaware Bay is big, and it can get rough, but you know that. The 26S is a great boat, but it, like the and are not smooth riding boats in really choppy seas. That being said, they handle it better than many power boats of that size.

Learning how to sail that boat is not difficult. Take a class, or just read up on the principals, you always have the outboard to fall back on .

You are better off in a slip; no hour or more to rig, and another hour or so to de-rig. Step on board,start the motor, release the lines,,,off you go.

After awhile, you may wish to go on longer trips, and make use of that Mac; then, it being a trailer-able boat, you just may haul it off to adventures. When you do, post photos, we are a family type group. We commiserate in the challenges, and share in the victories.

[dlandersson]

Ditto, if it makes financial sense. Lot of good memories around our Mac

Do the slip.
Too much work to get the boat in the water and setup, then trying to take it back down and get home afterwards = the boat sat in my driveway for years.

[Seth08321]

I have a slip, it's hard to beat being able to "just go" when the weather is good. And it's hard to beat needing 20-30 minutes to put it ip and hit the yacht club bar, etc.

And sometimes, we just go and hang out at the marina, sleep overnight in our Mac, etc.

The only Yacht club bar at this place will be a cooler w a 12 pack in it, it s in a dry town no bars allowed, but I get what you're saying. Just for fun I figured let's see what a RAV 4 Hybrid can tow < 1750 lbs , my Saab wagon can do more.

[Seth08321]

"I live in NJ and have a home right on the Delaware Bay," - well, i'm jealous
" It is also pretty shallow. " - Mac's do well in shallow water - get one with a swing keel.
" I am not looking to go all that fast" - Mac's do "not all that fast" pretty well
"I am basically looking for the Honda civic of sail boats" - than a 26S. A 26X is more of a Honda SUV OTOH, it's really nice, when you see bad weather a'comin, to drop the sail, power up and beat everyone else in.

I pinch myself every time I get down there saying how the hull did I pull this off , love exploring with my Kayaks. I will do some looking around teh marina when we get down there for the long weekend. I know I do not want a power boat but somehow a sail boat seems different. Hopefully the pictured showed up, it should be the water from my deck.