boat show report

[bob lee]

saw a new m at the calgary show this past weekend. it was loaded to the limit with every toy i've seen on a mac, full electronics, cockpit was jammed. even had chrome bumper holders mounted on each side of the hatch. looked cool, but made it feel very closed in. we spent some time looking close at finish, and man were there some issues. the gelcoat was a swirly mess, the "woodwork" was all bubbled, like the laminate wasn't glued properley.

we tried to slide the galley unit, not easy to do. that would seem to be a hassle on an on going basis. but the new table layout is far better, more to the x style.

not bad mouthing the mac, been very interested in them for years, just thought you guys might like a current report.

glad to see the board back.

[James V]

I bought my new in Jan '06. Looks fine to me. But I am not comparing it to the Big $ boats. Quite functional. I have plans to keep the Mods down. So all of this extra stuff is not in my plans unless it is for safety or long term cruising. LOW maintenance is a major issue. My galley slides easily enough, with a little use it is getting easier or I'm getting used to knowing what to do.
Any isues my boat has the dealer is working with me to resolve.

When compairing boats, please keep the whole package in mind. I could have bought a more expensive boat, but then I would not have all that cash to use for something else like NOT working and go cruising, looooong vacations, ect...................

[blue_shiba]

Bob,
was that the 2005 or 2006 M? Have they even come out with the 2006 model yet?

---Blue

[James V]

Blue, Yes, the 2006 model is out as early as Nov 05.

[blue_shiba]

James V,
any pictures on line of the newest model?
-----Blue

[Bill at BOATS 4 SAIL]

The model year for the boat changes on July 1.
The model year for the trailer changes on January 1.

[blue_shiba]

Thanks Bill will keep that in mind.
----Blue

[bob lee]

it was the 06 model. i do understand that the mac isn't ever going to compete on a high end finishing basis. having said that, i was still a little surprised at the degree of issues that stood out even on a quick boat show viewing, thats all

[Chip Hindes]

I believe few expect the Mac to compete with high end boats on fit and finish, but you'd think that, at least at a boat show, the dealer would be very concerned about that first impression. Especially with so many other, better finished boats to compare.

On the other hand, a dealer would have to have to walk a fine line between the first imperession at a boat show and the fostering of unrealistic expectations for the delivered boat.

From the numerious descriptions of problems, I'm wondering what's up. I was pretty happy with the condition of my X on delivery from the original, much lamented Havencraft. Someday I have to look at a new M just to learn whether my expectations were too low or the quality of delivered boats has indeed deteriorated considerably.

[Paul S]

....we spent some time looking close at finish, and man were there some issues. the gelcoat was a swirly mess, the "woodwork" was all bubbled, like the laminate wasn't glued properley.
.....
not bad mouthing the mac, been very interested in them for years, just thought you guys might like a current report.

glad to see the board back.

yup...been there..done that..similar to our delivery experience. Here is a shot of our 04 hull on delivery day .... virtually the entire hull had swirl marks on it. I needed to use heavy duty hull restorer (compound) to remove most of it.. some never came out..looks great now though..



Some more pictures of our hull on delivery day (previously posted pictures) swirl marks...poor gelcoat repair...wax residue EVERYWHERE..unistalled accessories ..etc http://home.comcast.net/~testdelete/mac ... index.html

If anyone wants to relive the experience..we have it well documented in this forum here http://macgregorsailors.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=334 Ahhhh the good ol days..

To add insult to injury...the Macgregor website STILL has it listed that the M has a channel cast in the mast (as far as I know it does not...still)

This is our second hull as the first (#225) was even worse (many bad chips in gelcoat, broken galley table top, etc).

At least we got a later 04 with the new mast support on the stern and bifold doors.

[Randy Smith]

Bob of Chatauqua(spell that right?) Marine, just picked an 06 (white) from Costa Mesa.....the quality was better than the last blue one he sold.....as I sat and looked around in it....I like it better than previous models....still little things like wires hanging out of the liner....I just don't understand those issues not being taken care of......but, that is the Mac and my 96X is still afloat and enjoyed by many aboard.......

If I were to buy it, I likely would bolt, or glass the galley in place where I wanted it....

Randy

[They Theirs]

Chip & Bob Lee & James v & Randy Smith


We stopped by our dealer for a look to see if there were any new changes some months ago, as we stepped inside a new boat with the sliding galley, with no knowledge if it were an 05 or 06 M model. The wife was looking at the galley, sliding it fore and aft to check out how it might fit in our 04 M. The boat was beautifully finished. Spotless and looked like it had been polished for the show in the dealers fleet. The Galley is light, but then it should be, and the wife and I found it to be a very nice feature. Im sure it will be weighted down with stores and necessities to increase its weight. I found the Sliding Galley to be a most desirable upgrade for us, and dynamic feature for Macs of the 05/06 models. We have considered giving up some space for the Dual Galley storage and counters, but as yet were not willing to give up the Lounge Seating and roominess of whats been called a Party Barge.
We all appreciate the innovation of the MacGregor Sliding Galley!

PS Our M Boat was a Boat Show veteran. There were those nice matching boot options, and major upgrades like our wider and extra large Bimine fitted and matched when Booted down against the Arch/Mast Support of polished 1 SS, built on the footprint of the rear stanchions with welded Handles/Rear Braces to the transom mount terminal for the original lifeline. The finish was Boat Show terrific, Beautiful!

[Divecoz]

I got my boat from Bill, and I am not sure . . .. . .but I don't think Bill did much if anything as far as cleanup was concerned. . Hey Bill !! What DID you do ??
My Galley slides easy back and forth loaded and empty.( note : I don't think much of the 5 gal water bags ) I have a drop bolt for positioning the galley and I drilled a new hole for a position that best suits us . . Rear Berth is an easy access and IMHO the best place to sleep least amount of movement so far. . . Is It a $100,000.00 boat ?? No Not by about $75,000.00 This means I have just that much more to spend on toys I want on and off the water. Fit and finish ? Its what I would expect for the Dollar factor . . Not my brothers Shamrock but not the price of that one ether. . Like another said here as well. The money I saved means I dont have to go to work everyday that long vactions are in order and . . often . Ahh and did I forget to mention unlike the Shamrock I cannot hold $1500 worth of diesel and I would never need it if I could . . but hey there's a thought. . fill the ballast with Diesel and sell it when I get to where I am going ???????

[jackie m]

I got my boat from Bill, and I am not sure . . .. . .but I don't think Bill did much if anything as far as cleanup was concerned. . Hey Bill !! What DID you do ??
My Galley slides easy back and forth loaded and empty.

Our experience has been the same as yours.

I haven't had a problem with the sliding galley whether it is empty or loaded (including the 5 gallon water jug). And I'm not a particularly strong female. I like that it's there when I want to use it and that it can be moved out of the way when I don't need it providing us a lot more room for seating in the interior. It's very clever, I think. But not the first time Macgregor has included the sliding galley in his design. I'm wondering if it's possible that the rails on the boat show demo could have been mounted improperly which might impede the sliding ability.

We bought our boat from Mike Inmon in Newport Beach. Great guy! Spent a day showing us how to rig and sail and motor it. We've had no complaints about the condition of our Mac. I'm aware there are those who have been unhappy about the poor finish on delivery, but I couldn't have been happier. Maybe where you buy your boat makes a difference? Would seem, though, that the place for a Mac to look its best would be a boat show.

jackie m

[delevi]

Mine was in excellent condition on delivery. I bought from Arena Yachts in San Rafael, CA. Like Jackie M, I also got the full day demo of sailing, motoring, and rigging the boat. Dan & Jeff are also available for questions any time I call. I agree that where you buy the boat makes a difference. One knock, however, is that some of the stuff is a bit flimsy and breaks easily. First and foremost, the daggerboard is poorly constructed and gets easily damaged (I'm not talking collision or grounding.) The trunk area is too big and the board fiberglass is too thin. I already replaced two boards. I am in the process of having one custom made with lower tolerances and weight at the bottom. I also had a bent spreader and a shrunken bolt rope on the main sail which kept it from achieving proper shape and prone to constant flutter, regardless of trim. All in all, I'm happy with the boat, but had to have a few more things replaced in the 1 year+ I ' owned it than I would have liked.