I have had a 95 26S since new. It has been greatly enjoyed and greatly modified. However, have spent a lot of time motoring lately and have been considering the power sailer. Understanding that some sailing performance would be sacrificed, I Was wondering if anyone else has transitioned from the 26 classic to the 26X and what their impressions or overall reception of the X has been? And yes, the M would be the more logical choice, but I do not want to spend that much money for a new boat that is layed out the same as mine and not as workable as the X interior.
Thanks for your time.
Steve <>< _/)
Any 26 Classic converts to 26X out there?
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Steve Shenkel
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Thu Apr 08, 2004 4:56 am
- Location: Glendale, Arizona
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ken lockhart
Classic converts to Mac 26X
Steve, I have owned a Mac 26D and 26S and purchased a 2001 26X new. I have since sold the 26X. I did not have a big motor on the 26X (25hp), I just did not like the way it sailed, it does not come close to sailing as well as the 26D. If your into speed, then go for the X, it does what it is designed to do. Although if I were buying, I think I would go for the M.
Anyway, Macs are great boats, although I now own a Hunter 26, I still like to monitor the Mac site. There is alot of good info that comes from this site.
Good luck,
Anyway, Macs are great boats, although I now own a Hunter 26, I still like to monitor the Mac site. There is alot of good info that comes from this site.
Good luck,
Steve, we had a 1990 Mac26S that we recently sold. We loved the way it sailed. It was our first boat that was larger than a Hobie Cat and was really impressed with how easy it was to trailer, launch and sail. We now have the 2000 26X 
. We did not care for the layout (personal opinion) of the M and decided on purchasing a used X. We have not had a chance to really sail her as yet as we purchased her this winter. We really like the standing cabin, galley, dinette area, anchor locker, larger head, surrounding windows and the ability to move faster when we need to via the larger engine. I'm sure it won't sail as well as the 26S, we miss the large laz and the fuel economy of the 8 HP kicker, but we were willing to accept these as compromises. So far, with our limited time on the water with her, we have no regrets.
. We did not care for the layout (personal opinion) of the M and decided on purchasing a used X. We have not had a chance to really sail her as yet as we purchased her this winter. We really like the standing cabin, galley, dinette area, anchor locker, larger head, surrounding windows and the ability to move faster when we need to via the larger engine. I'm sure it won't sail as well as the 26S, we miss the large laz and the fuel economy of the 8 HP kicker, but we were willing to accept these as compromises. So far, with our limited time on the water with her, we have no regrets.I had a 1987 MacGregor 26 for a year and a half and then bought a 1996 26X two years ago. Although it does not sail quite as well, the 26X is a far superior boat in my view.
The layout is much more livable, open and comfortable.
I am 5'10" and can stand in the the head compartment.
The steering wheel and pedestal controls make the boat so much more maneuverable than the older tiller model.
The trailer is more substantial.
I have a 50 hp and even though it costs quite a bit more to motor it is well worth it since I can cruise very comfortably at over twice the maximum speed of the old 26 with a 9 hp engine.
There are so many advantages it is hard to think of them all.
In my opinion, those advantages so far outweigh the decreased sailing ability that it is not even a close call, UNLESS sailing is a very high priority to you.
A confirmed fan
The layout is much more livable, open and comfortable.
I am 5'10" and can stand in the the head compartment.
The steering wheel and pedestal controls make the boat so much more maneuverable than the older tiller model.
The trailer is more substantial.
I have a 50 hp and even though it costs quite a bit more to motor it is well worth it since I can cruise very comfortably at over twice the maximum speed of the old 26 with a 9 hp engine.
There are so many advantages it is hard to think of them all.
In my opinion, those advantages so far outweigh the decreased sailing ability that it is not even a close call, UNLESS sailing is a very high priority to you.
A confirmed
fan