About 2 months ago I decided to take the plunge and buy a 26M. I've been looking at MacGregor boats off and on for about 3 years, which is when we gave away our first sailboat, which was a Hobie 16.
I purchased the boat from Paul at Great Basin sailboats who gave me a great deal on what was originally going to be his personal boat. I decided to pick it up myself to save on the delivery costs. While waiting for my boat to be ready for pick up at the factory, I was searching around on the internet for more information about MacGregor boats. A month or two ago I found this website. Since then I've been lurking on the board and reading up as much as I can.
Last week that day finally came. Below is the story of picking it up, it's a bit long so feel free to ignore the rest of this post.
Excited as a little boy on Christmas Eve, I packed my wife and one year old into the SUV on Thursday afternoon and made the first part of the trip, a six hour drive from Salt Lake to Primm, NV. This was our first major trip with our first child, and well, it was interesting. Had we not stopped in Cedar City and purchased some Sesame Street DVDs and a small magnetic drawing pad, I'm not sure that we would have made it at all. We got to Primm around 9 PM, which wasn't too bad, and stayed at Buffalo Bill's for a whopping $39.99.
We needed to go to bed early because the next day the plan was to get up at 4 AM, drive to the factory at Costa Mesa, get the boat, and then get back to Salt Lake. The problem is, try telling a 1 year old who's been cooped up in a car all day, and who is in a hotel room for his first time, that maybe going to bed before midnight would be a good idea. Needless to say, that didn't go well.
So he's finally asleep, and now I'm in bed picturing in my head how things are going to go the next day. I've got it imagined that we'll walk in and Bill will say, "Hey, you're the folks from Salt Lake right?" It's great to meet some of our customers. Would you like me to find someone to show you around? Do you have any questions about the boat?" I'm thinking how cool it will be to see the factory, and maybe to ask some questions I have. Now this is all despite the fact that my dealer has warned me that they may not be the friendliest people in the world. But I figure that he's just exaggerating.
I finally fall asleep only to wake up about 10 minutes before the 4AM alarm. We pack up and head out. After fighting through a bit of LA's early rush hour I get to the factory at about 8:45, and nothing goes how I had hoped it would.
When we get there, Bill is on the phone clearly talking to a 26x owner who is apparently trying to get some replacement rigging. Bill says "We don't have any, once we stop making a boat that's it, we don't make any more parts." "We're in the boat making business not the parts business." "Especially not with something like rigging, there are plenty of companies that make rigging."
This immediately sets off alarms in my head. While I understand that they would be making spare parts while manufacturing the actual model, and that there would be a stock pile of parts for a while after, it seems to me that most manufacturers continue to make spare parts for at least some period of time to support those people who spent all that money buying their product. I supposed this may never affect me, but it is disturbing to me.
That's not what really bugs me though. After he got off the phone this is how the rest of the time at the factory went.
"Hi, we just got in from Salt Lake City, and we're here to pick up a boat."
"Yeah, from Great Basin right?"
"That's us."
"OK, read this paper and sign it. It says you aren't going to use the boat in California."
He asks us to follow him to go find where the boat is parked. While we are walking he says:
"Did your dealer tell you everything you need to know about towing it off our lot?"
I answered I think so, but I'm not sure about "everything" do you have any tips you could give me?" I'm worried about things like, would it be best to leave the lot the way I came in, is the boat loaded already for the correct tongue weight. And since this is a very experienced man, he would probably be able to give good advice to someone who's never towed something that big before.
This was his response "He's supposed to tell you everything. We don't deal with customers." Then he mumbled something about not wanting to deal with customers that I couldnt make out. We then got to the boat and he said something like I guess you are going to want to look at it. He brought some guys over to pull the boat to the car.
By this point I was no longer excited. I had my new boat in front of me and all I could think was, "What have I done." I've tied myself to a company that "doesn't want to deal with customers." I told Bill that I could tell he was busy and if there was a problem I'd have one of the guys that helped move the boat take care of it. And so he just said ok and left.
After Bill left one of the guys at the yard could tell I was a bit disappointed. He was great. He was exactly what I had hoped to find. But he had to keep telling me not to say anything because he wasn't supposed to be helping me at all. He took me through the boat to show me where everything was stored and helped me hitch it to my car. He then was nice enough to give me directions on how to get out of LA avoiding all the traffic jams, which actually worked.
I guess MacGregor the company just wants my money, let the dealers handle the actual people buying the boats. While I know that all companies exist to make money, most at least pretend that they are also there to make their customers happy. Here's a fun little fact, the 26M brochure doesn't even mention customer satisfaction in it.
Anyway, most of the trip home was not bad at all, except I got home at around 2AM. I did run the tank below the empty mark right before the first refill not realizing just how much worse gas mileage crossing the mountains between California and Nevada would be. There's nothing like turning of the a/c in 105 degree weather and praying to squeeze just a little more gas out of that engine to make it over the last hill and across that final 10 miles or so back to Primm to fill up.
In Primm, some one came over and asked about the boat and how much it was to "get rig like that." He commented on what a nice looking boat it was. I haven't had it for more than 5 hours and am already getting compliments. Things are looking better.
Then when we stopped in St. George a guy pulled up and asked if that was a new MacGregor. He said he'd been dreaming about one and had only seen them on the internet. The problem was his friends, all power boaters, kept talking him out of it, saying he'd never be a sailor. I gave him a full tour, inside and out. Im now exited about the boat again, pointing out the positive and negative points of a hybrid boat. Im even starting to feel like a salesman, which Im really not at all (I work with computers for a living (enough said.) Who knows, maybe he'll buy one someday. Looks like maybe despite my factory experience, I'm turning into a MacGregor Missionary anyway.
We continued on, finally arriving home at 2AM. After a nightmare of getting that surge brake lockout key to actually stay put (it was late I'd been driving like 17hours, and I never thought of taping it in) we had the boat backed into our uphill driveway and got to bed at 3 AM.
So after about 22 hours, some big disappointments, and some really positive experiences, I've got a big beautiful boat parked in my driveway for now. My dealer Paul is coming over tomorrow morning to rig the boat, and do all the normal dealer prep stuff, and to give me some instruction on rigging it. Now that is service. There's nothing like a dealer house call. I'm getting the motor installed later this week. It's a Mercury BigFoot 60.
Then it's on to installing all the goodies. For now that's just a second battery, stereo, a couple of 12v outlets, battery switch, combiner, fuse box, and 2 Hella fans. I'm hoping to document the entire process and to put a website up, but don't know how long that will take to put together.
As for a name, well I haven't come up with one yet. We both snowboard in the winter, and the boat is something to do when the snow is gone. It's a white boat and I was looking for something like Snowmelt, Or Runoff, but neither of those sounds right. So for now, she's nameless.
Anyway, theres my tale. Id also like to thank all the people whove made such informative posts to this board. Theres so much advice that Ive already used and that I plan on using in the future, it is much appreciated.
New 2007 26M Owner-My factory pickup story-A bit long
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mallardjusted
- First Officer
- Posts: 200
- Joined: Fri Oct 21, 2005 5:33 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Puget Sound, 2001 Sold Oct2021 "Aqua Dawg", 70hp Yam
Congratulations on your dream boat! This will be the first of many exciting stories.
re: "and I was looking for something like Snowmelt, Or Runoff, but neither of those sounds right. So for now, she's nameless ..", how about:
"Snow Bored", or
"Snow Drift", or
"Snow Flake", or
"Great White Out", or ...........?
re: "and I was looking for something like Snowmelt, Or Runoff, but neither of those sounds right. So for now, she's nameless ..", how about:
"Snow Bored", or
"Snow Drift", or
"Snow Flake", or
"Great White Out", or ...........?
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RobertKing
- Deckhand
- Posts: 42
- Joined: Mon Aug 29, 2005 10:46 pm
- Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
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Bobby T.-26X #4767
- Captain
- Posts: 906
- Joined: Mon Jan 05, 2004 10:48 am
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26X
- Location: Oceanside Harbor, CA
good story.
for any of us who have dealt with Bill at the factory, we appreciate your experience (do you remember the soup nazi? "no soup for you!").
although, most times, after gingerly tip-toeing thru his dance, i have been able to either get the part that i need out of the stock room or he'll get it made up for me at a very reasonable price.
he takes cash only and you must pick-up.
or, buy from a dealer who upcharges.
but for your new M, parts are currently available and will be for some time.
Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI & '06 2.5-Suzuki
for any of us who have dealt with Bill at the factory, we appreciate your experience (do you remember the soup nazi? "no soup for you!").
although, most times, after gingerly tip-toeing thru his dance, i have been able to either get the part that i need out of the stock room or he'll get it made up for me at a very reasonable price.
he takes cash only and you must pick-up.
or, buy from a dealer who upcharges.
but for your new M, parts are currently available and will be for some time.
Bob T.
"DaBob"
'02X w/ '04 90-TLDI & '06 2.5-Suzuki
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deja_vu
- Chief Steward
- Posts: 97
- Joined: Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:16 pm
- Location: Salt Lake City, UT '07 26M Merc 60BF "SnowDrifter"
Yeah, I'm not worried about getting parts. It's the attitude of, once we're done making a model of a boat we don't need to make parts, that botheres me. So maybe while the brochure says "Don't be taken in by the old adage "you get what you pay for." I'm thinken you do, cause part of what you are paying for is company support in addition to product quality.
Of course the whole get what you pay for thing is one of the things that appealed to me initially. I'm a tinkerer, and loved the idea of a new stripped down boat that has a lot of potential. But in the very short time I've had to look over the boat (I've been working today and yesterday) there are some aspects of the workmanship I personally would be embarrased to send off my lot were it my company.
For example, in the DVD they show the jigs they use for the window cutouts. One of my hobbies is woodworking. I'm very familiar with making jigs. A properly made and used jig is pretty idiot proof. So that being the case why do the forward windows look like they were cutout by a right handed 8 year old using a rotozip left handed? I can't imagine how they got such crooked lines using any sort of a jig.
Anyway....so far my favorite of those names is Snow Drift..and now that I've seen how big these boats really are I'm worried that I'm going to be drifting into pretty much everything just trying to dock the thing. It sure won't be sailing a Hobie into the beach.
Of course the whole get what you pay for thing is one of the things that appealed to me initially. I'm a tinkerer, and loved the idea of a new stripped down boat that has a lot of potential. But in the very short time I've had to look over the boat (I've been working today and yesterday) there are some aspects of the workmanship I personally would be embarrased to send off my lot were it my company.
For example, in the DVD they show the jigs they use for the window cutouts. One of my hobbies is woodworking. I'm very familiar with making jigs. A properly made and used jig is pretty idiot proof. So that being the case why do the forward windows look like they were cutout by a right handed 8 year old using a rotozip left handed? I can't imagine how they got such crooked lines using any sort of a jig.
Anyway....so far my favorite of those names is Snow Drift..and now that I've seen how big these boats really are I'm worried that I'm going to be drifting into pretty much everything just trying to dock the thing. It sure won't be sailing a Hobie into the beach.
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Frank C
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delevi
- Admiral
- Posts: 2184
- Joined: Fri May 06, 2005 1:03 am
- Location: San Francisco Catalina 380, former 26M owner
- Contact:
Cool story. As a Realtor, I often run into situations where buyer and seller don't like each other very much. I often tell the client that you're getting the house, not the person selling it to you. Once you close, the home is yours, and you won't have to deal with that other other person ever again. I think one can make a similar comparison with your boat and dhe factory experience. In contrast, however, I spoke to Bill on the phone about 3 times, and he has been rather helpful. The one exception, which I can't help but laught it is that he told me the boat with stock DB & Rudders shouldn't round up in 40 knts wind. If that's true, I have a nice bridge in San Francisco I would like to sell him 
Best of luck with your boat. You'll love it!
Leon
Best of luck with your boat. You'll love it!
Leon
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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
deja,
Welcome ~ your story is apparently not uncommon and actually very close to ming, with similar ending. All's well.
A word of advice, if I may be so bold. When you have your Merc installed, I recommend refusing the stock controller. It's not very user friendly, very hard to shift and feels like the old Muncie 'mystery shifters' from my old muscle car days. Go with one of the Uflex (think that's the name), which is listed in the mod section of our forum. I have the M60BF too, and received the same recommendation from a customer in the dealership where I picked-up my M. Didn't listen, figured it's stock, must be matched to the motor. No worries. Now I have to change it and lost the money for the original.
As for the installation of your motor. I'd also recommend that you research the forum for engine mounting posts - lots of good information on board. There are stories of mounts gone wild. Find out exactly where you want the holes drilled, how you want the motor mounted, how the installer will be locating the centerline of your transom, how high the motor will be mounted (the Merc 60BF will not retract fully to the stowed position if mounted on the second hole down) It will hit the seat and mar the case. Every time you turn, unless you disconnect the motor, the cover will lift and lower the helm seat - bad for the glass on both.
Especially ensure that when all holes are made, and cabling run, that they are fully sealed, not just wire wrapped. You probably don't get much rain out there in UT, but nevertheless, you don't want water pooling on your after berth.
Every time we haul Bellaroo with our matching blue Jeep, you can't count the looks and comments. They're gorgeous boats, well made for the most part, and will serve you well.
As for the customer service, you're seeing what I've experienced as well. My dealer was all over me to get the boat sold and get his money. Once that was done - gone! Getting anything meant that I had to relentlessly pursue him. No returned calls, emails, nada.
We're your customer satisfaction team right here on this forum. All your questions can get answered, endless suggestions and recommendations, bantering and philosophizing.
A great family of sailors here!
Regarding your boat's name. How about Snow blind? Considering your experience with your dealer. . .
Michael
Welcome ~ your story is apparently not uncommon and actually very close to ming, with similar ending. All's well.
A word of advice, if I may be so bold. When you have your Merc installed, I recommend refusing the stock controller. It's not very user friendly, very hard to shift and feels like the old Muncie 'mystery shifters' from my old muscle car days. Go with one of the Uflex (think that's the name), which is listed in the mod section of our forum. I have the M60BF too, and received the same recommendation from a customer in the dealership where I picked-up my M. Didn't listen, figured it's stock, must be matched to the motor. No worries. Now I have to change it and lost the money for the original.
As for the installation of your motor. I'd also recommend that you research the forum for engine mounting posts - lots of good information on board. There are stories of mounts gone wild. Find out exactly where you want the holes drilled, how you want the motor mounted, how the installer will be locating the centerline of your transom, how high the motor will be mounted (the Merc 60BF will not retract fully to the stowed position if mounted on the second hole down) It will hit the seat and mar the case. Every time you turn, unless you disconnect the motor, the cover will lift and lower the helm seat - bad for the glass on both.
Especially ensure that when all holes are made, and cabling run, that they are fully sealed, not just wire wrapped. You probably don't get much rain out there in UT, but nevertheless, you don't want water pooling on your after berth.
Every time we haul Bellaroo with our matching blue Jeep, you can't count the looks and comments. They're gorgeous boats, well made for the most part, and will serve you well.
As for the customer service, you're seeing what I've experienced as well. My dealer was all over me to get the boat sold and get his money. Once that was done - gone! Getting anything meant that I had to relentlessly pursue him. No returned calls, emails, nada.
We're your customer satisfaction team right here on this forum. All your questions can get answered, endless suggestions and recommendations, bantering and philosophizing.
A great family of sailors here!
Regarding your boat's name. How about Snow blind? Considering your experience with your dealer. . .
Michael
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RandyMoon
- Captain
- Posts: 779
- Joined: Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:05 pm
- Sailboat: MacGregor 26M
- Location: Rockwall, TX Lake Ray Hubbard 2005M #0690 L405 Tohatsu TLDI 90 (Rhapsody in Blue)
deja.... welcome to the board. Apparently we are a whole lot friendlier than Bill and our advice is free. We will all look forward to your stories about becoming a Mac sailor.
I had an excellent dealer and so I have had a good experience. Keep your "child at Christmas attitude" and you will be rewarded with some great adventures.
I had an excellent dealer and so I have had a good experience. Keep your "child at Christmas attitude" and you will be rewarded with some great adventures.
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LOUIS B HOLUB
- Admiral
- Posts: 1315
- Joined: Wed Oct 19, 2005 7:40 am
- Location: 1999 Mac-X, Nissan 50 HP, Kemah, TX, "Holub Boat"
60 Horsepower...real nice.-
Frank C
deja,
Michael's post brought something else to mind. First, I'm pretty sure your Mercury will be EFI ....
If not, ask why not.
Second, IIRC Merc offers some sort of Smart System for engine management or monitoring. Those who have it are very pleased ... those with other engines just wish it was available.
Michael's post brought something else to mind. First, I'm pretty sure your Mercury will be EFI ....
If not, ask why not.
Second, IIRC Merc offers some sort of Smart System for engine management or monitoring. Those who have it are very pleased ... those with other engines just wish it was available.
I bought my X through a Newport dealer and said I would do all my own rigging, dealer prep, engine installation and would pick up the boat myself at the factory as I live about 3 miles away. The dealer said OK, I saved a fortune doing it myself.
I called to see if was ready for me to pick up 2-3 months later and Bill said they do not allow customers to pick up boats at the factory. The dealer had to come over to get the boat out of Mac's yard to his yard and I took it from there.
I had a lot of dealing with Bill and he is busy as they have made over 30,000 boats including 5,000 X's. State your case and he will answer fully. I showed Bill this site a few years ago as he did not understand my problem that was on there. He did not know about this site before then.
I remember the soup nazi, that was a funny show. "No soup for you." They are saying that the new winner of the American Idol show dances like Elaine. He is now doing Ford commericals and dances.
I called to see if was ready for me to pick up 2-3 months later and Bill said they do not allow customers to pick up boats at the factory. The dealer had to come over to get the boat out of Mac's yard to his yard and I took it from there.
I had a lot of dealing with Bill and he is busy as they have made over 30,000 boats including 5,000 X's. State your case and he will answer fully. I showed Bill this site a few years ago as he did not understand my problem that was on there. He did not know about this site before then.
I remember the soup nazi, that was a funny show. "No soup for you." They are saying that the new winner of the American Idol show dances like Elaine. He is now doing Ford commericals and dances.
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Scott
- Admiral
- Posts: 1654
- Joined: Tue May 18, 2004 12:46 pm
- Sailboat: Venture 25
- Location: 1978 Catalina 22 with all the Racing Goodies!! 4 horse fire breathing monster on the transom
"
Fact is there are not many parts that you would need to be factory parts for replacements. You can generally get a better quality component for a lower price in the aftermarket. The big exception to this is fiberglass. Hopefully you wont damage any of that.
Truth in print. This is the case for most manufacturing besides autos as its one of a few industries that parts and service after the sale are where the money is.Especially not with something like rigging, there are plenty of companies that make rigging."
Fact is there are not many parts that you would need to be factory parts for replacements. You can generally get a better quality component for a lower price in the aftermarket. The big exception to this is fiberglass. Hopefully you wont damage any of that.
