Hi,
I've been looking all over for the perfect powersailor. So far, nothing I've seen really meets my needs other than 40'+ cats...but sombody told me about the 26X & 26M, so thought I'd check with the real owners rather than belive what adealer has to tell me. Here's what I'm looking for...
- Sail at 5.5+ knots (true)
- Power at 10+ knots safely in high winds/heavy seas (25-30 knots with 4-6 foot seas) with reasonable fuel consumption (under 4gph)
- Used mostly for day sailing, with a dozen or so overnight trips
- Easily singlehanded
- Can be equipped with AC & Heat, hot & cold water, etc
- Room for 4 to be comfey in the cockpit
- Full cockpit enclosure available
- Roller furling main & genoa available
So, thoughts? If I can't find exactly what I want, I'll likely just go with an older Catalina 38 and be done with it (had a 1983 Cat 30, sold her several yers back and now want to get back out there)...
Is the 26X/M right for me?
At the risk of taking the bait, I'd say that it meets those requirements, at least almost all...
For example, I'm aware of only one (and home-made at that) roller furling main, which was designed and built by Graham, I believe, a MacX owner in Hawaii.
With my very poor skills, I've sailed her well over 5.5 knots.
With my low HP engine I've cruised well over 10 knots, although not in those conditions. Of course, Rolf has a 90hp and has...
Either the X or the M easily meets the other requirements, with the caviot that Heat, AC, and Hot water (cold water being a given) are going to be after market implementations. That doesn't sound like an issue for you given your wording. This board is replete with examples Heat, AC, and Hot water add-ons...
The one unspoken requirement, I'm guessing, is being able to shower - for which there is no good inside solution. Neither Head is very conducive to installing a shower... There are really neat methods of showing in the cockpit though...
For example, I'm aware of only one (and home-made at that) roller furling main, which was designed and built by Graham, I believe, a MacX owner in Hawaii.
With my very poor skills, I've sailed her well over 5.5 knots.
With my low HP engine I've cruised well over 10 knots, although not in those conditions. Of course, Rolf has a 90hp and has...
Either the X or the M easily meets the other requirements, with the caviot that Heat, AC, and Hot water (cold water being a given) are going to be after market implementations. That doesn't sound like an issue for you given your wording. This board is replete with examples Heat, AC, and Hot water add-ons...
The one unspoken requirement, I'm guessing, is being able to shower - for which there is no good inside solution. Neither Head is very conducive to installing a shower... There are really neat methods of showing in the cockpit though...
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Terry
- Admiral
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- Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada. '03 26M - New Yamaha 70
Sure is!
I have to concur with DLT with exception of a roller furling main it sounds like it will meet your needs. The main caveat is upgrades, this boat goes begging for them, but then you have the choice of modifying it to your own needs. I had my reservations when I first inspected this boat but three years later I have no regrets and am very happy with the '03 26M. I have invested much more $ since the purchase date and expect to happily invest a lot more. New or used, X or M, it is truly a versatile boat. You can't go wrong with a MacGregor.
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LOUIS B HOLUB
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baldbaby2000
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I agree with the above comments. I do think that the 26M can be a bit squirrelly when the wind comes up which could be reduced with some mods. I'm thinking about the IDA Sailors rudders instead of the stock, adding running backstays and maybe adding weight to the daggerboard. You'll find plenty of discussion--past, present and future--on these topics here. I still think the boat is OK without these mods though. One big advantage of the boat is trailerability. If I were going to keep it on the water in one location all the time I'd still consider it but another boat might be better.
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Frank C
I see a little mixing of apples 'n oranges in your premise, so I advise caution.
Louis & BB make a good point about the Mac's trailerability, which is completely beyond a Cat 38. I'd think it is likely a real benefit on the Chesapeake, but this boat's light weight will prove both blessing & curse versus the Catalina. The same is true of her shoaling abilities - not available in the Catalina, and unavoidable in the Mac, with related penalties. Since neither shoal-ability nor trailering are on your list, I wonder if their related liabilities might prove surprising. Be aware.
You want 10 knots of motoring ability in fairly robust conditions. Either Mac can easily deliver that, plus even more speed in milder conditions, with full flotation ability. And further, these capabilities are well beyond a Catalina 38 ... so how realistic are your alternatives? But the livability on a 38-footer will easily surpass either Macgregor by a magnitude - apple or orange ??? I can't tell.
The 26X easily surpasses all of my needs, but then I wouldn't even consider a keelboat in her stead ... I prefer citrus! Good luck on assessing all of those priorities.
Louis & BB make a good point about the Mac's trailerability, which is completely beyond a Cat 38. I'd think it is likely a real benefit on the Chesapeake, but this boat's light weight will prove both blessing & curse versus the Catalina. The same is true of her shoaling abilities - not available in the Catalina, and unavoidable in the Mac, with related penalties. Since neither shoal-ability nor trailering are on your list, I wonder if their related liabilities might prove surprising. Be aware.
You want 10 knots of motoring ability in fairly robust conditions. Either Mac can easily deliver that, plus even more speed in milder conditions, with full flotation ability. And further, these capabilities are well beyond a Catalina 38 ... so how realistic are your alternatives? But the livability on a 38-footer will easily surpass either Macgregor by a magnitude - apple or orange ??? I can't tell.
The 26X easily surpasses all of my needs, but then I wouldn't even consider a keelboat in her stead ... I prefer citrus! Good luck on assessing all of those priorities.
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Catigale
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Echoing Frank....
The Mac and the Cat 38 are so far apart that I want to be cautious and not set an impression that they share much.
A Mac can do everuything on your performance list - the feature list is mostly there, ir consists of things that you can do yourself if you really want them
This summer will be my 5th season with my
and I love her and her capability. Last year she was in the water from Erie, Buffalo, Baltimore, Trenton, Oswego, the Hudson, Rhode Island, Maine, and all over CapE Cod - all while I worked full time with two grade school kids.
The Mac and the Cat 38 are so far apart that I want to be cautious and not set an impression that they share much.
A Mac can do everuything on your performance list - the feature list is mostly there, ir consists of things that you can do yourself if you really want them
This summer will be my 5th season with my
and I love her and her capability. Last year she was in the water from Erie, Buffalo, Baltimore, Trenton, Oswego, the Hudson, Rhode Island, Maine, and all over CapE Cod - all while I worked full time with two grade school kids.Thanks for the honest replies. Yes, I admit it, I am a bit on the confused side. If I could afford it, I would have both a C38 and a powercruiser. Alas, I am just not that wealthy. There are times when I jsut want to get where I'm going, others when a leasurly sail is in order. I'm hoping that I can find a boat that will offer a compromise. The C38 would sail beautifully (I'd have to get a mid 1980s one) but would power only at about 6.5 knots. We have a lot of long rivers int he area and many of them have great places to visist if you are willing to go upriver by 15-20 miles...and at 6.5 knots...I jsut avoid going to theose places. But at 10+ (hopefully 12-15)...all those would be well within reach. I realize the & 
are very much different from a C38. I will also admit, I've never even been abord a Mac, so I have no basis of comparison. The only boat I've owned other than a 1956 Hereshoff 14' day sailer was my 1983 Catalina 30TRBS. She sailed beautifully with her fin keel, tall rig and bow sprit but was a total hog under power (crusie under power was around 5.3 knots on flat calm water). Of course she had only a tiny little 11hp diesel and burned less than 1/4 gph. So, am I looking for pie int he sky? Maybe, but I am hopeful that I can find what I'm looking for.
Oh, I've done some back reading. I am pretty familiar with the odler but know little of the new Ive read that there have alreay been 2 interior layouts? Or am I confused? Is ther a FAQ or soemthing like that? I know, I know...NEWBIE... 
TIA,
& are very much different from a C38. I will also admit, I've never even been abord a Mac, so I have no basis of comparison. The only boat I've owned other than a 1956 Hereshoff 14' day sailer was my 1983 Catalina 30TRBS. She sailed beautifully with her fin keel, tall rig and bow sprit but was a total hog under power (crusie under power was around 5.3 knots on flat calm water). Of course she had only a tiny little 11hp diesel and burned less than 1/4 gph. So, am I looking for pie int he sky? Maybe, but I am hopeful that I can find what I'm looking for.Oh, I've done some back reading. I am pretty familiar with the odler
but know little of the new Ive read that there have alreay been 2 interior layouts? Or am I confused? Is ther a FAQ or soemthing like that? I know, I know...NEWBIE... TIA,
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Paul S
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The 03/04 M has an open floorplan and the 05/06 has a fixed table and sliding galley.
Just like an X owner will generally say they don't like the M. Most early M ownes (03/04) generally will say they like the 03/04 over the 05/06 (and the other way around).
Sticking with that...we got the 04M after it came out..after looking at both models..having the open floor was a major selling point, IMO. The major difference in the 03/04 and the 05/06 is the interior.
The fixed table seems to be a huge point for a lot of owners...we haven't missed it in our 04. We do have a small folding table for eating on..but thats about it.
Here are some pictures of the dealers demo boat (03)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mils_tt/a ... 86&.src=ph
Here are a couple interior shots of our 04 (fore+aft)
Paul
Just like an X owner will generally say they don't like the M. Most early M ownes (03/04) generally will say they like the 03/04 over the 05/06 (and the other way around).
Sticking with that...we got the 04M after it came out..after looking at both models..having the open floor was a major selling point, IMO. The major difference in the 03/04 and the 05/06 is the interior.
The fixed table seems to be a huge point for a lot of owners...we haven't missed it in our 04. We do have a small folding table for eating on..but thats about it.
Here are some pictures of the dealers demo boat (03)
http://pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/mils_tt/a ... 86&.src=ph
Here are a couple interior shots of our 04 (fore+aft)
Paul
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argonaut
- Captain
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- Location: '97 26X, Yammy 40 4s, Central Fla.
Add me to the list that say your two boats are apples and oranges.
Frank and others have pointed out the major differences in personalities.
Anytime I see "singlehand", "day sailing" and "Catalina 38" in the same sentence I start to grin. Can be done, usually isn't.
You've thought about what you want to do and made that list, the Mac will do all of that. If you said you wanted to spend six months to a year cruising the coast I'd say Catalina. Now just stop it. Find one and go out and see just how bad a boat it is. The Mac is not a Catalina 38 but you may find yourself out on the water a lot more and new cruising grounds abound nearby at 60mph. For me at least, that's the point.
Frank and others have pointed out the major differences in personalities.
Anytime I see "singlehand", "day sailing" and "Catalina 38" in the same sentence I start to grin. Can be done, usually isn't.
You've thought about what you want to do and made that list, the Mac will do all of that. If you said you wanted to spend six months to a year cruising the coast I'd say Catalina. Now just stop it. Find one and go out and see just how bad a boat it is. The Mac is not a Catalina 38 but you may find yourself out on the water a lot more and new cruising grounds abound nearby at 60mph. For me at least, that's the point.
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Frank C
You might drive north to Mayo peninsula some weekend. The dealer up there, A-1 Sailboats has a pretty good rep. But another reason is the number of Macs you'll see. There must be 30 of them, various models, in dry storage in that same Marina. (I live near San Francisco, but my parents are in Mayo.) So, there's a chance you'll be able to see both X and M interiors, and there's a major difference between them. It cannot be described adequately, you simply must enter the two (or 4 ?) cabins to sense the differences - apples 'n oranges!
Dave, I'm glad you took mild criticism in spirits intended, and I can recognize your conundrum. You love the feeling of a keelboat, but that sensation is very limiting for the breadth of available cruising opportunities on the Chesapeake. So, be aware that the Mac will sate your sailing appetite probably in a range of 50 to 75 percent.
But with a full enclosure, you'd have an all-waters cruiser that you could use 15 miles up-river, from April through October. And if the M pleases you, it's probably available brand new, fully outfitted, at the same cost of the refurbished Catalina. Sailing the Mac will never live up to either of your Catalina dreams, but either Mac offers a magnitude of water sporting beyond.
Dave, I'm glad you took mild criticism in spirits intended, and I can recognize your conundrum. You love the feeling of a keelboat, but that sensation is very limiting for the breadth of available cruising opportunities on the Chesapeake. So, be aware that the Mac will sate your sailing appetite probably in a range of 50 to 75 percent.
But with a full enclosure, you'd have an all-waters cruiser that you could use 15 miles up-river, from April through October. And if the M pleases you, it's probably available brand new, fully outfitted, at the same cost of the refurbished Catalina. Sailing the Mac will never live up to either of your Catalina dreams, but either Mac offers a magnitude of water sporting beyond.
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Mark Prouty
- Admiral
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- Location: Madison, WI Former MacGregor 26X Owner
Factory SiteRoger wrote:26M has better appearance.
26M better hull design.
26M is significantly faster.
26M daggerboard better than centerboard
26M Better rig
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Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL
- Admiral
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- Sailboat: MacGregor 26D
- Location: Oconomowoc, WI
Moe's "description of the differences between the 26X and the current 26M', was based primarily on the deck plan of the 26X and 26M. Some of the things he considers negatives, I consider positives, based on my experience sailing both boats.
I think when he wrote it, his only experience on either boat was overnighting in a Flying J parking lot. He may correct me if I'm wrong.
He bought a 26X and has since sold it. If he had bought a 26M, maybe he would still have it.
Take a look at the 26X and the 26M. They are both good boats
I think when he wrote it, his only experience on either boat was overnighting in a Flying J parking lot. He may correct me if I'm wrong.
He bought a 26X and has since sold it. If he had bought a 26M, maybe he would still have it.
Take a look at the 26X and the 26M. They are both good boats
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Terry
- Admiral
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- Location: Vancouver, B.C. Canada. '03 26M - New Yamaha 70
Mac Bashing
Dave,
Bill @ boats for sale is bang on they are both good boats, it is personal preference which one you choose. Moe has provided a lot of good advice on this board and he is very knowledgeable, but his X vs M comparison is extremely biased to the point of being dismissable and only serves to denigrate his credibility, in all fairness he should stop it as it only amounts to a form of Mac bashing. Take a look at both models, 2 versions for the M interior layout and decide for yourself and ignore the negative remarks people have to say about one boat or the other. The MacGregor is a fine boat, very versatile.
Bill @ boats for sale is bang on they are both good boats, it is personal preference which one you choose. Moe has provided a lot of good advice on this board and he is very knowledgeable, but his X vs M comparison is extremely biased to the point of being dismissable and only serves to denigrate his credibility, in all fairness he should stop it as it only amounts to a form of Mac bashing. Take a look at both models, 2 versions for the M interior layout and decide for yourself and ignore the negative remarks people have to say about one boat or the other. The MacGregor is a fine boat, very versatile.